Bird Enters into Comprehensive Restructuring Support Agreement with First- and Second-Lien Lenders to Strengthen Financial Position

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Bird Global, Inc.
20 Dec, 2023

Bird has sufficient liquidity to meet financial obligations to city partners, vendors, suppliers, and employees during and after the restructuring process, and will operate as usual Agreement has unanimous support of first- and second-lien lenders Apollo Global Management and second-lien lenders to provide $25 million in DIP financing

MIAMI, Dec. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Bird Global, Inc. (OTCQX: BRDS), (“Bird” or the “Company”) a leader in environmentally friendly electric transportation, today announced its entry into a financial restructuring process aimed at strengthening its balance sheet and better positioning the company for longterm, sustainable growth. Bird will operate as usual during this process, maintaining the same service for its riders and upholding its commitments to partner cities, fleet managers, and employees.

“This announcement represents a significant milestone in Bird’s transformation, which began with the appointment of new leadership early this year,” said Bird Interim CEO Michael Washinushi. “We are making progress toward profitability and aim to accelerate that progress by rightsizing our capital structure through this restructuring. We remain focused on our mission to make cities more livable by using micromobility to reduce car usage, traffic, and carbon emissions.”

During and after the restructuring process, Mr. Washinushi will continue as Interim CEO, supported by Board Chair John Bitove, President Stewart Lyons, and CFO Joseph Prodan. Last week, Harvey L. Tepner joined the Board of Directors as an Independent Director, and Philip Evershed resigned from the Board of Directors.

The Company’s first- and second-lien lenders have also entered into a comprehensive restructuring support agreement (the “RSA”). To implement the RSA, and access $25 million in new debtor-in-possession financing from MidCap Financial, a division of Apollo Global Management, and the company’s existing second-lien lenders, Bird has commenced a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. The Company will use the court-supervised process to facilitate a sale of its assets, and has entered into a “stalking horse” agreement with the Company’s existing lenders, which effectively sets a floor for Bird’s value. The bid is subject to higher and better offers, and is aimed at maximizing value for all stakeholders. Bird expects to complete the sale process in the next 90-120 days.

Bird Canada and Bird Europe (dba as “Bird Rides Europe B.V.”) are not part of the filing and also continue to operate as normal. Since its inception, Bird riders have traveled over 300 million miles globally, offsetting an estimated 90 million pounds of carbon emissions from avoided car trips, and playing a pivotal role in hundreds of cities’ sustainability goals while making alternative transportation convenient, efficient, and fun.

Bird has filed with the Court a series of customary “First Day Motions” to facilitate a smooth transition into bankruptcy. These filings provide for payment of wages and benefits to employees, and make other provisions to enable Bird to continue operating as usual. Bird expects the Court to approve these requests in short order, which are expected to minimize the impact of the restructuring process on its city partners, riders, employees and other key stakeholders.

Additional information related to the proceedings is available at http://dm.epiq11.com/case/birdglobal/info. Stakeholders with questions may contact the Company’s Claims Agent, Epiq, at bird@epiqglobal.com.

BergerSingerman LLP is serving as legal counsel, Cassel Salpeter & Co. is serving as investment banker, Teneo Capital LLC is serving as financial and restructuring advisor, and Epiq Corporate Restructuring, LLC is serving as claims and noticing agent to the Company.

About Bird

Bird, the largest micromobility operator in North America, is an electric vehicle company dedicated to bringing affordable, environmentally friendly transportation solutions such as e-scooters and e-bikes to communities across the world. Bird and Spin’s cleaner, affordable, and on-demand mobility solutions are available in 350 cities, primarily across Canada, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. We take a collaborative, community-first approach to micromobility. Bird and Spin partner closely with the cities in which they operate to provide a reliable and affordable transportation option for people who live and work there.

For more information on Bird, visit www.bird.co and for more information on Spin, visit www.spin.app.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release including, but not limited to, the anticipated impact on the operation of Bird’s business as a result of the restructuring process, Bird’s business strategy and plans, the anticipated timing of the transactions contemplated by the RSA, Bird’s expectations regarding the bankruptcy proceedings and outcome and timing of related motions filed with the Court. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Such forwardlooking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Bird and its management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to risks and uncertainties related to, among other things: the bankruptcy process, the ability of Bird and its subsidiaries to obtain approval from the Bankruptcy Court with respect to motions or other requests made to the Bankruptcy Court throughout the course of the Chapter 11 cases; the ability of Bird and its subsidiaries to consummate a sale and plan within the Company’s currently expected timeline or at all; the effects of the Chapter 11 cases, including increased professional costs, on the liquidity, results of operations and businesses of Bird and its subsidiaries; the ability of Bird and its subsidiaries to operate their respective businesses during the pendency of the Chapter 11 cases; the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the restructuring support agreement (“RSA”), including the ability of the parties to negotiate definitive agreements with respect to the matters covered by the term sheets included in the RSA; the occurrence of events that may give rise to a right of any of the parties to terminate the RSA, and the ability of the parties thereto to satisfy the other conditions of the RSA, including satisfying the milestones specified in the RSA; the ability to maintain relationships with Bird’s suppliers, customers, employees and other third parties as a result of, and following the Company’s emergence upon completion of, the Chapter 11 cases, as well as perceptions of the Company’s increased performance and credit risks associated with its constrained liquidity position and capital structure, which reflects a recently increased risk of additional bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings; the possibility that Bird may be unable to achieve its business and strategic goals even if the RSA and sale is successfully consummated; Bird’s ability to generate sufficient cash to reduce its indebtedness and its potential need and ability to incur further indebtedness; developing, funding and executing Bird’s business plan and ability to continue as a going concern; Bird’s capital structure upon completion of the Chapter 11 cases; the comparability of Bird’s postemergence financial results to its historical results and the projections disclosed in connection with the transactions contemplated by the RSA; and attraction and retention of key personnel in light of the Chapter 11 cases. Other factors may also cause Bird’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements and such factors are discussed in Bird’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and subsequent reports filed by Bird with the SEC. Copies of Bird’s filings with the SEC may be obtained at the “SEC Filings” section of Bird’s website at www.bird.co or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

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Cassel Salpeter & Co. Advises in Sale of Premier Life Safety Solutions Provider SLS Consulting, LLC, to SOCOTEC USA

MIAMI – Dec. 18, 2023 – Cassel Salpeter & Co. (“Cassel Salpeter”), an independent investment banking firm that provides advisory services to middle market and emerging growth companies in the United States and worldwide, today announced that it has successfully facilitated the sale of industry leader SLS Consulting, LLC (“SLS”), which delivers creative and critical life and fire safety solutions, in its sale to SOCOTEC USA (“SOCOTEC”).

Based in Coral Gables, Fla., SLS is a provider of fire protection and life safety services, including code consulting, accessibility, smoke control, emergency management planning, construction project management planning, construction project management, code required inspections, litigation support and other compliance solutions. With a deep, experienced management team, led by founder Michael Sheehan, and operations in Miami, Boston, Atlanta and New York City, SLS delivers innovative fire and life safety solutions to both new and existing buildings.

Headquartered in New York, N.Y., SOCOTEC is a leading provider of testing, inspection and certification (“TIC”), consulting and advisory services. SOCOTEC is a major TIC operator for the building and infrastructure sectors and has established its reputation as an independent and trusted partner, assisting companies in the areas of quality, sustainability and employee and environmental safety.

The acquisition of SLS will strengthen SOCOTEC’s code compliance and planning presence and lead to the formation of the SOCOTEC Life Safety division, with Michael Sheehan serving as president. The SLS team will increase SOCOTEC’s ability to deliver inspections, testing and construction period services within fire protection, life safety and accessibility consulting.

“Michael has built an amazing team and business that I have watched grow over the years, positioning SLS to become a national player,” said Philip Cassel, managing director and partner of Cassel Salpeter who led the deal team. “I believe SOCOTEC is the perfect partner to help SLS fulfill this goal and maximize each group’s strengths. I truly enjoyed working with Michael throughout this process and I am excited to see him continue to achieve great things in the future.”

“The Cassel Salpeter team was critical in establishing this partnership with SOCOTEC,” said Michael Sheehan, founder and chief executive officer of SLS Consulting. “Phil took the time to understand our business needs and goals and was extremely thoughtful regarding all parts of the deal. The Cassel Salpeter team went above and beyond, exceeding expectations, and set SLS and SOCOTEC up for a strong new partnership and a promising future.”

Tahz Rashid was also part of the Cassel Salpeter team that guided SLS through the transaction.

Other professionals who assisted in executing the transaction include William Hill, Robert White, Scott Coffey and Cole Jackson of Gunster LLP, counsel to the seller, as well as Robert Glick, Ian Goldberger, Fernando Miranda and Einat Laver of Kaufman Rossin & Co., providing transaction advisory services to the seller. Alex Plakas, Neil Connolly and Jenna Mason of DLA Piper LLP U.S. were legal counsel to the buyer.

About Cassel Salpeter & Co.:

Cassel Salpeter & Co. LLC is an independent investment banking firm that provides advice to middle market and emerging growth companies in the U.S. and worldwide. Together, the firm’s professionals have more than 50 years of experience providing private and public companies with a broad spectrum of investment banking and financial advisory services, including: mergers and acquisitions; equity and debt capital raises; fairness and solvency opinions; valuations; and restructurings, such as 363 sales and plans of reorganization. Cofounded by James Cassel and Scott Salpeter, the firm provides objective, unbiased, results-focused services that clients need to achieve their goals. Personally involved at every stage of all engagements, the firm’s senior partners have forged relationships and completed hundreds of transactions and assignments nationwide. The firm’s headquarters are in Miami. Member FINRA and SIPC. More information is available at www.CasselSalpeter.com

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Editor’s note: Interviews available upon request.

Cassel Salpeter & Co. Facilitates Sale of Athenex Generic Injectable Assets to Sagent Pharmaceuticals in Global Biotech Firm’s Ch. 11 Bankruptcy

MIAMI – Dec. 11, 2023 Cassel Salpeter & Co., an independent investment banking firm that provides advisory services to middle market and emerging growth companies in the United States and worldwide, today announced that it has successfully facilitated the sale of certain assets of Athenex, Inc. (“Athenex”), a broadly diversified global biopharmaceutical company. 

Assets related to the generic injectable business were sold to Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Sagent Pharmaceuticals”), a developer and manufacturer of specialty injectable pharmaceuticals. Accounts receivable related to the generic injectables business were sold to Oaktree Capital Management, LP. Assets related to the Orascovery oral cancer therapy platform were sold to C-MER Specialty Group Limited (HKG:03309).  

Athenex was dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer and operated a specialty pharmaceuticals business (“APD”) that sourced products through licensing agreements with global partners. The APD division marketed generic injectables in vials, bags and pre-filled syringes. The Orascovery platform reformulated parenteral chemotherapeutic agents into oral dosage forms.  

Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., Sagent Pharmaceuticals offers a broad range of products across anti-infective, oncology and critical care indications in a variety of presentations, including single and multi-dose vials and ready-to-use pre-filled syringes and premix bags.

“The Athenex team had built an impressive generic injectables business and was at the forefront in the development of oncology therapies, but was unfortunately caught up in the unfavorable conditions presented by the broader biotech market before they could reach their ultimate goal,” said Cassel Salpeter Managing Director Philip Cassel. “By leveraging our healthcare domain expertise and working closely with the highly regarded management team and all-star cast of professionals, we were fortunate to achieve a positive result and monetize many of the assets.”

The Cassel Salpeter team was led by Managing Directors Philip Cassel, Ira Leiderman, and Chairman James Cassel, with the assistance of Associate Tahz Rashid.

“Phil and his team were instrumental in capturing as much value for the assets as possible during a very difficult time,” said former Chairman and CEO of Athenex Dr. Johnson Lau. “I am confident that the best possible outcome was achieved as they put forward a fully exhaustive effort to educate potential buyers on the value of our different lines of business.”

Nick Campbell of Meru, LLC, acted as chief restructuring officer. Devin Battiston and Samier Saleem of Meru, LLC were restructuring advisors to Athenex.  

Richard Pachulski, Shirley Cho, Debra Grassgreen, Maxim Litvak, Benjamin Wallen, James O’Neill, Cia Mackle and Richard Gruber of Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP were counsel for the debtor. 

Phillip Delmont of Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP was special counsel for the debtor.  

About Cassel Salpeter & Co.:

Cassel Salpeter & Co. LLC is an independent investment banking firm that provides advice to middle market and emerging growth companies in the U.S. and worldwide. Together, the firm’s professionals have more than 50 years of experience providing private and public companies with a broad spectrum of investment banking and financial advisory services, including: mergers and acquisitions; equity and debt capital raises; fairness and solvency opinions; valuations; and restructurings, such as 363 sales and plans of reorganization. Cofounded by James Cassel and Scott Salpeter, the firm provides objective, unbiased, results-focused services that clients need to achieve their goals. Personally involved at every stage of all engagements, the firm’s senior partners have forged relationships and completed hundreds of transactions and assignments nationwide. The firm’s headquarters are in Miami. Member FINRA and SIPC. More information is available at www.CasselSalpeter.com

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Editor’s note: Interviews available upon request.