Advanced Drainage Systems Announces Proposed $500 Million Senior Notes Offering

Rhea-AI Summary

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE: WMS) announced plans to offer up to $500 million in senior unsecured notes due 2030. The offering, which will be exempt from Securities Act registration, aims to repay outstanding borrowings under its senior secured revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes. The notes will be guaranteed by its domestic subsidiaries, and they may only be sold to qualified institutional buyers. This strategic move highlights the company's effort to manage its debt efficiently while ensuring liquidity.

Positive

• Offering of up to $500 million in senior unsecured notes demonstrates proactive debt management.
• Proceeds to focus on repaying outstanding borrowings, improving financial stability.

Negative

• Dependence on capital markets for refinancing may increase financial risks.
• Notes not registered under Securities Act may limit investor base.

HILLIARD, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (NYSE: WMS) (“ADS” or the “Company”), a leading global manufacturer of water management products and solutions for commercial, residential, infrastructure and agricultural applications, today announced that the Company intends, subject to market and other conditions, to commence an offering (the “Offering”) of up to $500 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “Notes”) in a private transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Notes will be guaranteed by each of the Company’s present and future direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries that guarantee its senior secured credit facility.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for the repayment in full of the outstanding borrowings under its senior secured revolving credit facility, and the remainder for general corporate purposes.

The Notes and the related guarantees have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction. The Notes and the related guarantees may not be offered or sold within the United States or to United States persons, except to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on an exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to certain non-U.S. persons outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.

This press release does not and will not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes or the related guarantees, nor will there be any sale of the Notes, or the related guarantees in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. This press release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act.

About the Company

Advanced Drainage Systems is the leading manufacturer of high performance thermoplastic corrugated pipe, providing a comprehensive suite of water management products and superior drainage solutions for use in the construction and infrastructure marketplace. Its innovative products are used across a broad range of end markets and applications, including non-residential, residential, agriculture and infrastructure applications. The Company has established a leading position in many of these end markets by leveraging its national sales and distribution platform, overall product breadth and scale and manufacturing excellence.

Founded in 1966, the Company operates a global network of approximately 70 manufacturing plants and 38 distribution centers.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company’s current expectations, estimates and projections regarding the Company’s business, operations and other factors relating thereto. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those reflected in forward-looking statements relating to the Company’s operations and business include: fluctuations in the price and availability of resins and other raw materials and the Company’s ability to pass any increased costs of raw materials on to its customers in a timely manner; the risks related to COVID-19 pandemic or other pandemics in the future; disruption or volatility in general business and economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates; cyclicality and seasonality of the non-residential and residential construction markets and infrastructure spending; the risks of increasing competition in the Company’s existing and future markets; uncertainties surrounding the integration and realization of anticipated benefits of acquisitions; the effect of any claims, litigation, investigations or proceedings; the effect of weather or seasonality; the loss of any of the Company’s significant customers; the risks of doing business internationally; the risks of conducting a portion of the Company’s operations through joint ventures; the Company’s ability to expand into new geographic or product markets; the risk associated with manufacturing processes; the effect of global climate change; cybersecurity risks; the Company’s ability to manage its supply purchasing and customer credit policies; the Company’s ability to control labor costs and to attract, train and retain highly qualified employees and key personnel; the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights; changes in laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations; and the risks associated with the Company’s current levels of indebtedness, including borrowings under its senior secured credit facility and outstanding indebtedness under its 5.000% senior notes due 2027. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for the Company to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the Company’s expectations, objectives or plans will be achieved in the timeframe anticipated or at all. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220601006286/en/

Investor / Media Contact

Advanced Drainage Systems

Michael Higgins, 614-658-0050

Mike.Higgins@ads-pipe.com

Source: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.

FAQ

What is Advanced Drainage Systems planning with the $500 million offering?

The company intends to use the proceeds primarily to repay outstanding borrowings and for general corporate purposes.

When are the unsecured notes due?

The senior unsecured notes are due in 2030.

What financial risks are associated with the note offering from WMS?

There is a potential increase in financial risks due to reliance on capital markets for refinancing.

Who can buy the senior unsecured notes from Advanced Drainage Systems?

The notes may only be sold to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on an exemption from registration.