Thursday, February 23, 2017

Vertex Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: VTNR) Enters into $30 Million Credit Refinancing

Vertex Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: VTNR) announced on February 8, 2017, that it has reached an agreement with Encina Business Credit, LLC (EBC) for a $30 million credit refinancing, including a funded term note, a draw term loan, and a revolving line of credit. The company indicated that the funds will be used to retire debt and for working capital.

Vertex Energy, Inc., refines and markets high quality hydrocarbon products. It filed an 8-K with the SEC on February 7, 2017, defining the new credit facility from EBC.

“The refinance of the company’s prior credit facility reflects our belief in the future growth of the company,” said Benjamin P. Cowart, CEO of Vertex. “We believe that this step was necessary in ensuring that we clean up our balance sheet, which includes paying off both of our prior lenders, consolidating our debt into one facility and strengthening our cash position.”

EBC is an asset-based lender specializing in middle market borrowers. Its revolving lines of credit and term loans range from $5 million to $50 million. It lends to both public and private companies. Positive cash flow is not required.

Cowart added that Vertex Energy is positioned to grow its business in 2017.

“With the financing completed, we were able to close on the acquisition on the assets of a small collection company in Louisiana. With approximately 90 million gallons of processing capacity, we believe that our collections vertical is key to our growth,” he said.

The company anticipates growing its self-collected gallons from some 20% of overall production to 25% in 2017, he added.

The SEC 8-K filing detailed the arrangements with EBC. It stated that $12 million was loaned to Vertex by EBC on February 1, 2017, and an additional $8 million may be loaned from time to time, under the new credit agreement. The other $10 million will be made available by EBC to Vertex under a revolving credit agreement formula, including ‘eligible’ inventory. The revolving credit agreement terminates on February 1, 2020, when any unpaid amounts and interest are due, the filing states.

Vertex Energy, Inc. stated that its use of revolving credit funds would be for working capital, capital expenditures and to refinance existing credit obligations. The company used $11,282,537 for that purpose. As of the filing date, the company had borrowed $12 million of the EBC credit agreement and $884,000 under the revolving credit agreement.

For more information, refer to www.VertexEnergy.com

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