Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Borrowings

v2.4.0.8
Borrowings
12 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
BORROWINGS
BORROWINGS:

Borrowings consist of the following:
 
February 28, 2014
 
February 28, 2013
 
Current
 
Long-term
 
Total
 
Total
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes Payable to Banks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Credit Facility – Revolving Credit Loans
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Other
57.2

 

 
57.2

 

 
$
57.2

 
$

 
$
57.2

 
$

Long-term Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Credit Facility – Term Loans
$
72.8

 
$
2,792.0

 
$
2,864.8

 
$
762.5

Senior Notes
499.5

 
3,547.8

 
4,047.3

 
2,496.0

Other Long-term Debt
17.7

 
33.5

 
51.2

 
46.9

 
$
590.0

 
$
6,373.3

 
$
6,963.3

 
$
3,305.4



Senior credit facility –
In connection with the Beer Business Acquisition, on May 2, 2013 (the “Restatement Date”), the Company, CIH International S.à r.l., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“CIH” and together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), and certain other lenders (all such parties other than either of the Borrowers are collectively referred to as the “Lenders”) entered into a Restatement Agreement (the “Restatement Agreement”) that amended and restated the Company’s prior senior credit facility (as amended and restated by the Restatement Agreement, the “2013 Credit Agreement”). The Restatement Agreement was entered into by the Company to arrange a portion of the debt to finance the Beer Business Acquisition. The effective date of the Restatement Agreement, June 7, 2013, was the date on which all of the conditions to the 2013 Credit Agreement were satisfied, which occurred on the date of the closing of the Beer Business Acquisition (the “Restatement Effective Date”).

The 2013 Credit Agreement provides for aggregate credit facilities of $3,787.5 million, consisting of a $515.6 million U.S. term loan facility maturing on June 7, 2018 (the “U.S. Term A Facility”), a $246.9 million U.S. term loan facility maturing on June 7, 2019 (the “U.S. Term A-1 Facility”), a $675.0 million delayed draw U.S. term loan facility maturing on June 7, 2018 (the “U.S. Term A-2 Facility”), a $500.0 million delayed draw European term loan facility maturing on June 7, 2018 (the “European Term A Facility”), a $1,000.0 million European term loan facility maturing on June 7, 2020 (the “European Term B Facility”), and an $850.0 million revolving credit facility (including a sub-facility for letters of credit of up to $200.0 million) which terminates on June 7, 2018 (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). The 2013 Credit Agreement also permits the Company from time to time after the Restatement Effective Date to elect to increase the Lenders’ revolving credit commitments or add one or more tranches of additional term loans, subject to the willingness of existing or new lenders to fund such increase or term loans and other customary conditions. The minimum aggregate principal amount of such incremental revolving credit commitment increases or additional term loans may be no less than $25.0 million and the maximum aggregate principal amount of all such incremental revolving credit commitment increases and additional term loans, other than term loans the proceeds of which are applied to repay existing term loans, may be no more than $750.0 million. A portion of the borrowings under the 2013 Credit Agreement were used to refinance the outstanding obligations under the Company’s prior senior credit facility with the remainder used to finance a portion of the purchase price for the Beer Business Acquisition and related expenses. The Company intends to use the remaining availability under the 2013 Credit Agreement for general corporate purposes.

The rate of interest for borrowings, excluding the European Term B Facility, under the 2013 Credit Agreement is a function of LIBOR plus a margin or the base rate plus a margin. The rate of interest for the European Term B Facility borrowings under the 2013 Credit Agreement is a function of LIBOR, subject to a minimum rate of 0.75%, plus a margin; or the base rate, subject to a minimum rate of 1.75%, plus a margin. The margin is adjustable based upon the Company’s debt ratio (as defined in the 2013 Credit Agreement). As of February 28, 2014, the LIBOR margin for the U.S. Term A Facility, the U.S. Term A-2 Facility, the European Term A Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility was 2.0%; the LIBOR margin for the U.S. Term A-1 Facility was 2.25%; and the LIBOR margin for the European Term B Facility was 2.0%.

The principal changes to the Company’s prior senior credit facility effected by the 2013 Credit Agreement are (i)  changes to the rate and term of the revolving credit facility and outstanding term loan facilities that took effect on the Restatement Effective Date, and a new $675.0 million delayed draw U.S. Term A-2 Facility that replaced the former delayed draw term A-2 facility, and (ii)  the creation of a $1,500.0 million delayed draw European term loan facility consisting of the $500.0 million European Term A Facility and the $1,000.0 million European Term B Facility. The Company is the borrower under the U.S. term loan facilities. CIH is the borrower under the European term loan facilities. The 2013 Credit Agreement also modified the maximum net debt coverage ratio financial covenant.

The U.S. obligations under the 2013 Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries. These obligations are also secured by a pledge of (i)  100% of the ownership interests in certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries and (ii)  65% of the ownership interests in certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries. The European obligations under the 2013 Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company. These obligations are also secured by a pledge of (i)  100% of certain interests in certain of CIH’s subsidiaries and (ii)  100% of the ownership interests in certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries and 65% of the ownership interests in certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries.

The Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to covenants that are contained in the 2013 Credit Agreement, including those restricting the incurrence of additional indebtedness (including guarantees of indebtedness), additional liens, mergers and consolidations, the payment of dividends, the making of certain investments, prepayments of certain debt, transactions with affiliates, agreements that restrict the Company’s non-guarantor subsidiaries from paying dividends, and dispositions of property, in each case subject to numerous conditions, exceptions and thresholds. The financial covenants are limited to a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum net debt coverage ratio.

As of February 28, 2014, under the 2013 Credit Agreement, the Company had outstanding borrowings under the U.S. Term A Facility of $496.3 million bearing an interest rate of 2.2%, U.S. Term A-1 Facility of $245.0 million bearing an interest rate of 2.4%, U.S. Term A-2 Facility of $649.7 million bearing an interest rate of 2.2%, European Term A Facility of $481.3 million bearing an interest rate of 2.2%, European Term B Facility of $992.5 million bearing an interest rate of 2.8%, outstanding letters of credit of $14.0 million, and $836.0 million in revolving loans available to be drawn.

As of February 28, 2014, the required principal repayments under the term loans of the 2013 Credit Agreement for each of the five succeeding fiscal years and thereafter are as follows:
 
U.S.
Term A
Facility
 
U.S.
Term A-1
Facility
 
U.S.
Term A-2
Facility
 
European
Term A
Facility
 
European
Term B
Facility
 
Total
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
$
19.4

 
$
1.8

 
$
25.3

 
$
18.8

 
$
7.5

 
$
72.8

2016
38.7

 
2.5

 
50.6

 
37.5

 
10.0

 
139.3

2017
51.5

 
2.5

 
67.5

 
50.0

 
10.0

 
181.5

2018
51.5

 
2.5

 
67.5

 
50.0

 
10.0

 
181.5

2019
335.2

 
2.4

 
438.8

 
325.0

 
10.0

 
1,111.4

Thereafter

 
233.3

 

 

 
945.0

 
1,178.3

 
$
496.3

 
$
245.0

 
$
649.7

 
$
481.3

 
$
992.5

 
$
2,864.8



In June 2010, the Company entered into a five year delayed start interest rate swap agreement effective September 1, 2011, which was designated as a cash flow hedge for $500.0 million of the Company’s floating LIBOR rate debt. Accordingly, the Company fixed its interest rates on $500.0 million of the Company’s floating LIBOR rate debt at an average rate of 2.9% (exclusive of borrowing margins) through September 1, 2016. In April 2012, the Company transitioned its interest rate swap agreement to a one-month LIBOR base rate versus the then existing three-month LIBOR base rate by entering into a new interest rate swap agreement which was designated as a cash flow hedge for $500.0 million of the Company’s floating LIBOR rate debt. In addition, the then existing interest rate swap agreement was dedesignated as a hedge. The Company also entered into an additional interest rate swap agreement for $500.0 million that was not designated as a hedge to offset the prospective impact of the newly undesignated interest rate swap agreement. As a result of these hedges, the Company has fixed its interest rates on $500.0 million of the Company’s floating LIBOR rate debt at an average rate of 2.8% (exclusive of borrowing margins) through September 1, 2016. The unrealized losses in AOCI related to the dedesignated interest rate swap agreements are being reclassified from AOCI ratably into earnings in the same period in which the original hedged item is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. For the years ended February 28, 2014, February 28, 2013, and February 29, 2012, the Company reclassified net losses of $8.2 million, $8.0 million and $3.8 million, net of income tax effect, respectively, from AOCI to interest expense, net, on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Senior notes –
In August 2006, the Company issued $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes due September 2016 at an issuance price of $693.1 million (net of $6.9 million unamortized discount, with an effective interest rate of 7.4%) (the “August 2006 Senior Notes”). Interest on the August 2006 Senior Notes is payable semiannually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning March 1, 2007. As of February 28, 2014, and February 28, 2013, the Company had outstanding $697.8 million (net of $2.2 million unamortized discount) and $697.0 million (net of $3.0 million unamortized discount), respectively, aggregate principal amount of August 2006 Senior Notes.

In May 2007, the Company issued $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes due May 2017 (the “Original May 2007 Senior Notes”). Interest on the Original May 2007 Senior Notes is payable semiannually on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning November 15, 2007. In January 2008, the Company exchanged $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes due May 2017 (the “May 2007 Senior Notes”) for all of the Original May 2007 Senior Notes. The terms of the May 2007 Senior Notes are substantially identical in all material respects to the Original May 2007 Senior Notes, except that the May 2007 Senior Notes are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. As of February 28, 2014, and February 28, 2013, the Company had outstanding $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of May 2007 Senior Notes.

In December 2007, the Company issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.375% Senior Notes due December 2014 at an issuance price of $496.7 million (net of $3.3 million unamortized discount, with an effective interest rate of 8.5%) (the “December 2007 Senior Notes”). Interest on the December 2007 Senior Notes is payable semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning June 15, 2008. As of February 28, 2014, and February 28, 2013, the Company had outstanding $499.5 million (net of $0.5 million unamortized discount) and $499.0 million (net of $1.0 million unamortized discount), respectively, aggregate principal amount of December 2007 Senior Notes.

On April 17, 2012, the Company issued $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6% Senior Notes due May 2022 (the “April 2012 Senior Notes”). The net proceeds of the offering ($591.4 million) were used for general corporate purposes, including, among others, reducing the outstanding indebtedness under the Company’s then existing senior credit facility and common stock share repurchases under the 2013 Authorization (as defined in Note 15). Interest on the April 2012 Senior Notes is payable semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning November 1, 2012. As of February 28, 2014, and February 28, 2013, the Company had outstanding $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of April 2012 Senior Notes.

The senior notes described above are redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount plus a make whole payment based on the present value of the future payments at the adjusted Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points. The senior notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of the Company. Certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries guarantee the senior notes on a senior unsecured basis.

On August 14, 2012, the Company issued $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.625% Senior Notes due March 2023 (the “August 2012 Senior Notes”). The Company intended to use the net proceeds from the offering ($640.6 million) to fund a portion of the original agreement signed by the Company in June 2012 to acquire the remaining 50% equity interest in Crown Imports for approximately $1.85 billion (the “Initial Purchase Agreement”). In connection with the issuance of the August 2012 Senior Notes, the Company and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, as Trustee, escrow agent, and securities intermediary, entered into an agreement (the “August 2012 Escrow Agreement”), pursuant to which an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the August 2012 Senior Notes (collectively, with any other property from time to time held by the escrow agent, the “August 2012 Escrowed Property”) was placed into an escrow account to be released to the Company upon the closing of the Initial Purchase Agreement. If the Initial Purchase Agreement was terminated or had not been consummated on or prior to December 30, 2013, all of the August 2012 Senior Notes would be redeemed (the “Special Mandatory Redemption”) at a price equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the Special Mandatory Redemption. In accordance with the terms of the August 2012 Escrow Agreement, if the Initial Purchase Agreement was terminated or had not been consummated on or prior to December 30, 2013, the August 2012 Escrowed Property would be released for purposes of effecting the Special Mandatory Redemption. Because of the differences between the terms relating to a February 2013 amendment of the Initial Purchase Agreement and the Initial Purchase Agreement, the Company determined that the conditions for the release of the August 2012 Escrowed Property to the Company pursuant to the August 2012 Escrow Agreement could not be satisfied. Accordingly, the Company gave notice to the escrow agent on February 19, 2013, to release the August 2012 Escrowed Property for purposes of effecting the Special Mandatory Redemption. As a result, the August 2012 Senior Notes were redeemed on February 20, 2013, and the August 2012 Escrow Agreement was terminated in accordance with its terms.

On May 14, 2013, the Company issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.75% Senior Notes due May 2021 (the “May 2013 Eight Year Senior Notes”) and $1,050.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Senior Notes due May 2023 (the “May 2013 Ten Year Senior Notes”) (collectively, the “May 2013 Senior Notes”). The Company used the net proceeds from the offering ($1,535.5 million) to fund a portion of the purchase price for the Beer Business Acquisition. Interest on the May 2013 Senior Notes is payable semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning November 1, 2013. The May 2013 Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount plus a make whole payment based on the present value of the future payments at the adjusted Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points. The May 2013 Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations that rank equally with the Company’s other senior unsecured indebtedness. Certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries guarantee the May 2013 Senior Notes on a senior unsecured basis. In connection with the issuance of the May 2013 Senior Notes, the Company and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, as Trustee, escrow agent, and securities intermediary, entered into an agreement (the “May 2013 Escrow Agreement”), pursuant to which an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the May 2013 Senior Notes (collectively, with any other property from time to time held by the escrow agent, the “May 2013 Escrowed Property”) was placed into an escrow account to be released to the Company upon the closing of the Beer Business Acquisition. In accordance with the terms of the May 2013 Escrow Agreement, in connection with the closing of the Beer Business Acquisition, the May 2013 Escrowed Property was released to the Company and used to fund a portion of the purchase price for the Beer Business Acquisition. As of February 28, 2014, the Company had outstanding $1,550.0 million aggregate principal amount of May 2013 Senior Notes.

Indentures
The Company’s Indentures relating to its outstanding senior notes contain certain covenants, including, but not limited to:  (i)  a limitation on liens on certain assets; (ii)  a limitation on certain sale and leaseback transactions; and (iii)  restrictions on mergers, consolidations and the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to another person.

Subsidiary credit facilities –
The Company has additional credit arrangements totaling $373.9 million and $371.5 million as of February 28, 2014, and February 28, 2013, respectively. These arrangements primarily support the financing needs of the Company’s domestic and foreign subsidiary operations. Interest rates and other terms of these borrowings vary from country to country, depending on local market conditions. As of February 28, 2014, and February 28, 2013, amounts outstanding under these arrangements were $89.2 million and $46.9 million, respectively, the majority of which is classified as current as of the respective date.

Debt payments
As of February 28, 2014, the required principal repayments under long-term debt obligations (excluding unamortized discount of $2.7 million) for each of the five succeeding fiscal years and thereafter are as follows:
(in millions)
 
2015
$
590.5

2016
153.2

2017
892.0

2018
887.3

2019
1,114.0

Thereafter
3,329.0

 
$
6,966.0



Accounts receivable securitization facilities –
On December 4, 2012, the Company entered into a 364-day revolving trade accounts receivable securitization facility (the “CBI Facility”). Under the CBI Facility, trade accounts receivable generated by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries are sold by the Company to a wholly-owned bankruptcy remote single purpose subsidiary (the “CBI SPV”), which is consolidated with the Company for financial reporting purposes. Such trade accounts receivable have been pledged by the CBI SPV to secure borrowings under the CBI Facility. The Company services the trade accounts receivable as servicer for the CBI Facility. The trade accounts receivable balances related to the CBI Facility are reported as accounts receivable on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, but the trade accounts receivable are at all times owned by the CBI SPV and are included on the financial statements of the Company to comply with generally accepted accounting principles. On October 1, 2013, the Company and the CBI SPV effectively extended the CBI Facility through September 30, 2014, by amending and restating the CBI Facility (the “Amended CBI Facility”). The Amended CBI Facility remains a 364-day revolving trade accounts receivable securitization facility. Under the Amended CBI Facility, there are two lenders, one holding 60% of the aggregate facility and the other holding 40% of the aggregate facility. Any borrowings under the Amended CBI Facility are recorded as secured borrowings and bear interest as follows: (i)  60% of the borrowings are charged at that lender’s cost of funds plus a margin of 90 basis points and (ii)  40% of the borrowings are charged at one-month LIBOR plus a margin of 90 basis points. The Amended CBI Facility provides borrowing capacity of $190.0 million up to $290.0 million structured to account for the seasonality of the Company’s business, subject to further limitations based upon various pre-agreed formulas. As of February 28, 2014, the CBI SPV had no aggregate outstanding borrowings under the Amended CBI Facility. As of February 28, 2014, the Company had $275.0 million available under the Amended CBI Facility.

Also, on October 1, 2013, Crown Imports entered into a 364-day revolving trade accounts receivable securitization facility (the “Crown Facility”). Under the Crown Facility, trade accounts receivable generated by Crown Imports are sold by Crown Imports to its wholly-owned bankruptcy remote single purpose subsidiary (the “Crown SPV”), which is consolidated with the Company for financial reporting purposes. Such trade accounts receivable have been pledged by the Crown SPV to secure borrowings under the Crown Facility. Crown Imports services the trade accounts receivable as servicer for the Crown Facility. The trade accounts receivable balances related to the Crown Facility are reported as accounts receivable on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, but the trade accounts receivable are at all times owned by the Crown SPV and are included on the financial statements of the Company to comply with generally accepted accounting principles. Under the Crown Facility, there are two lenders, one holding 60% of the aggregate facility and the other holding 40% of the aggregate facility. Any borrowings under the Crown Facility are recorded as secured borrowings and bear interest as follows: (i)  60% of the borrowings are charged at that lender’s cost of funds plus a margin of 90 basis points and (ii)  40% of the borrowings are charged at one-month LIBOR plus a margin of 90 basis points. The Crown Facility provides borrowing capacity of $100.0 million up to $160.0 million structured to account for the seasonality of Crown Imports’ business. As of February 28, 2014, the Crown SPV had aggregate outstanding borrowings under the Crown Facility of $19.2 million bearing a weighted average interest rate of 1.1%. As of February 28, 2014, the Company had $80.8 million available under the Crown Facility.