Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket
retailer of parts, batteries, accessories and maintenance items,
announced today that it has entered into a new $1 billion unsecured
revolving credit facility, maturing in December 2018, and a $700 million
unsecured term loan, maturing five years from the date of funding. These
facilities replace the Company’s existing $750 million revolving credit
facility, which matures in May 2016. The proceeds of the loans are
expected to be used to finance the recently announced acquisition of
General Parts International, Inc. (GPII) and for general corporate
purposes.
“We are pleased to have completed our financing for the pending
strategic acquisition of General Parts and remain committed to
maintaining our investment grade credit ratings,” said Mike Norona,
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Advance Auto
Parts.
The interest rates on borrowings under the facilities are based on
adjusted LIBOR plus a margin or, at the Company’s option, on an
alternate base rate plus a margin. The margins for both types of
borrowings are based on the Company’s credit ratings.
About Advance Auto Parts
Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts, Inc., a leading
automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and
maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself
and professional installer markets. As of October 5, 2013, the Company
operated 4,018 stores in 39 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities,
customer services, and online shopping for parts and accessories can be
found on the Company’s website at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.
About General Parts International, Inc.
Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina and founded in 1962 by Chairman
O. Temple Sloan Jr., General Parts is a leading distributor and retailer
of replacement parts, supplies, tools and equipment for automobiles,
light and heavy trucks, off-road equipment, buses, recreational
equipment, and agricultural equipment. As of September 30, 2013, GPII
operates the CARQUEST auto parts distribution network, with 38
distribution centers, 1,246 company operated stores across the US and
Canada and 1,418 independently owned CARQUEST locations primarily in the
US and Canada. It also operates WORLDPAC, a leading importer and
distributor of original equipment and quality aftermarket replacement
automotive parts to import specialists in North America and Puerto Rico
operating four main distribution centers and 102 facilities across the
US and Canada. More information about General Parts International Inc.
can be found on the company’s websites: www.CARQUEST.com
and at www.WORLDPAC.com.
Forward Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this
communication are forward-looking statements, as that term is used in
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements address future events or developments, and typically use
words such as believe, anticipate, expect, intend, plan, forecast,
outlook or estimate. These forward-looking statements include, but are
not limited to, statements regarding the expected timing of the
completion of the proposed acquisition of GPII by AAP; the benefits and
other effects of the proposed transaction; the combined company’s plans,
objectives and expectations; the terms and timing of anticipated
financing relating to the proposed transaction, including statements
regarding AAP’s commitment and ability to maintain its investment grade
credit rating; expected growth and future performance of AAP, including
store growth, capital expenditures, comparable store sales, SG&A,
operating income, gross profit rate, free cash flow, profitability and
earnings per diluted share for fiscal year 2013; expected financial
results for the full year 2013; and other statements that are not
historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to
significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual future
events or results may differ materially from such forward-looking
statements. Such differences may result from, among other things, the
ability to close the proposed transaction on the expected terms and
within the anticipated time period, or at all, which is dependent on the
parties’ ability to satisfy certain closing conditions; the risk that
regulatory approvals that are required to complete the proposed
transaction may not be received, may take longer than expected or may
impose adverse conditions; the failure to obtain the necessary financing
for the transaction, including as contemplated by the financing
commitment obtained by AAP at the time of signing the proposed
transaction; the risk that the benefits of the proposed transaction,
including synergies, may not be fully realized or may take longer to
realize than expected; the possibility that the transaction may not
advance AAP’s business strategy; the risk that AAP may experience
difficulty integrating GPII’s employees, business systems and
technology; the potential diversion of AAP’s management’s attention from
AAP’s other businesses resulting from the proposed transaction; the
impact of the proposed transaction on third-party relationships,
including customers, wholesalers, independently owned and jobber stores
and suppliers; changes in regulatory, social and political conditions,
as well as general economic conditions; competitive pressures; demand
for AAP’s and GPII’s products; the market for auto parts; the economy in
general; inflation; consumer debt levels; the weather; business
interruptions; information technology security; availability of suitable
real estate; dependence on foreign suppliers; and other factors
disclosed in AAP’s 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 on
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. With
respect to the preliminary financial results and outlook included in
this communication, during AAP’s closing process and the preparation of
final consolidated financial statements and related notes, AAP may
identify items that would require adjustments to amounts included in the
preliminary results. AAP intends these forward-looking statements to
speak only as of the time of this communication and does not undertake
to update or revise them as more information becomes available.
Copyright Business Wire 2013