5.  LONG-TERM DEBT

 

The following table reconciles the principal balance of our outstanding debt to our Consolidated Balance Sheets, in thousands:

 

 

The following table sets forth our remaining principal payments for our outstanding debt balances as of December 31, 2018, in thousands:

 

 

Amended Credit Agreement and Senior Secured Term Loan Facility

On May 5, 2017, we and the Guarantors entered into a credit agreement with the Lenders.  All obligations under the credit agreement are guaranteed by the Guarantors, and all obligations under the credit agreement, including the guarantees of those obligations, are secured by substantially all of the assets of us and the Guarantors.  On March 28, 2018, we executed an amendment to this credit agreement, which primarily facilitated the acquisition of USI by (i) extending until August 29, 2018, the period during which the Company could access the $100.0 million delayed draw term loan feature and (ii) providing that the Company could issue up to $500.0 million of Senior Notes in connection with its acquisition of USI.  On May 1, 2018, we closed on our acquisition of USI.  The acquisition was funded through net proceeds from the issuance on April 25, 2018 of $400.0 million of 5.625% Senior Notes due in 2026 together with the net proceeds from the $100.0 million delayed draw term loan commitment accessed on May 1, 2018 under our Amended Credit Agreement.  These funds were also used for the payment of related fees and expenses, as well as for general corporate purposes.

The following table outlines the key terms of our Amended Credit Agreement (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Interest payable on borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement is based on an applicable margin rate plus, at our option, either:

   

 

 

 

The applicable margin rate is determined based on our Secured Leverage Ratio.  In the case of base rate borrowings, the applicable margin rate ranges from 0.00 percent to 1.50 percent and in the case of LIBOR rate borrowings, the applicable margin ranges from 1.00 percent to 2.50 percent.  Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement are prepayable at the Company’s option without premium or penalty.  The Company is required to make prepayments with the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales and certain extraordinary receipts.

 

Revolving Facility

The Company has outstanding standby letters of credit that secure our financial obligations related to our workers’ compensation, general insurance, and auto liability programs.  These standby letters of credit, as well as any outstanding amount borrowed under our Revolving Facility, reduce the availability under the Revolving Facility.  The following table summarizes our availability under the Revolving Facility, in thousands:

 

 

We are required to pay commitment fees to the Lenders in respect of any unutilized commitments.  The commitment fees range from 0.15 percent to 0.275 percent per annum, depending on our Secured Leverage Ratio.  We must also pay customary fees on outstanding letters of credit.

Senior Notes

The Senior Notes are our senior unsecured obligations and bear interest at 5.625% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, which began on November 1, 2018. The Senior Notes mature on May 1, 2026, unless redeemed early or repurchased.  We have the right to redeem the Senior Notes under certain circumstances, and, if we undergo a change in control, we must make an offer to repurchase all of the Senior Notes then outstanding at a repurchase price equal to 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any) to, but not including, the repurchase date. 

 

Equipment Notes

During 2018, the Company executed $26.6 million of equipment notes for the purpose of financing the purchase of vehicles and equipment. These equipment notes each have a five year maturity through 2023 and bear interest at fixed rates between 3.9% and 4.4%.

 

Covenant Compliance

The indenture governing our Senior Notes contains customary restrictive covenants that, among other things, generally limit our ability to incur additional debt and issue preferred stock; to create liens; to pay dividends, acquire shares of capital stock, make payments on subordinated debt or make investments; to place limitations on distributions from certain subsidiaries; to issue guarantees; to issue or sell the capital stock of certain subsidiaries; to sell assets; to enter into transactions with affiliates; and to effect mergers.  The Senior Notes indenture also contains customary events of default, subject in certain cases to grace and cure periods. Generally, if an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee under the indenture or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes then outstanding may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on all the Senior Notes immediately due and payable.  The Senior Notes and related guarantees have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, and we are not required to register either the Senior Notes or the guarantees in the future.

 

The Amended Credit Agreement contains certain covenants that limit, among other things, the ability of the Company to incur additional indebtedness or liens; to make certain investments or loans; to make certain restricted payments; to enter into consolidations, mergers, sales of material assets, and other fundamental changes; to transact with affiliates; to enter into agreements restricting the ability of subsidiaries to incur liens or pay dividends; or to make certain accounting changes.  The Amended Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative covenants and events of default.

   

The Amended Credit Agreement requires us to maintain a Net Leverage Ratio and minimum FCCR throughout the term of the agreement.  The following table sets forth the maximum Net Leverage Ratios and minimum FCCR required:

 

 

The following table outlines the key financial covenants effective for the period covered by this report: