Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On August 17, 2020 (the "Closing Date"), Sensata Technologies, Inc. ("STI"), an
indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, completed the issuance and
sale of $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of STI's 3.750% senior notes
due 2031 (the "Notes").
A portion of the net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Notes was used
to repay approximately $400.0 million of outstanding revolving borrowings under
STI's senior secured credit facilities (the "Senior Credit Facilities"), and to
pay fees and expenses in connection with the offering of the Notes and related
transactions. We expect to use the remainder of the net proceeds for general
corporate purposes, including working capital. General corporate purposes may
include, among other things, using the remaining proceeds, together with
available cash, to redeem all or a portion of the 6.250% senior notes due 2026
issued by Sensata Technologies UK Financing Co. plc ("STUK"), which first become
eligible for optional redemption at a fixed redemption price in February 2021.
Indenture
The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of the Closing Date
(the "Indenture"), among STI, the guarantors named therein (the "Guarantors"),
and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the "Trustee").
Interest and Maturity
The Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.750% per annum and mature on February 15,
2031. Interest is payable on the Notes on February 15 and August 15 of each
year, commencing on February 15, 2021.
Guarantees
As of the Closing Date, STI's obligations under the Notes are guaranteed by
Sensata Technologies B.V. ("STBV"), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company, and all of STBV's subsidiaries (other than STI) that guarantee the
obligations of STI under the Senior Credit Facilities and the following existing
senior notes (collectively, the "Existing Notes"): STBV's 4.875% senior notes
due 2023, 5.625% senior notes due 2024, and 5.0% senior notes due 2025; STUK's
6.250% senior notes due 2026; and STI's 4.375% senior notes due 2030. The Notes
are STI's, and the guarantees are the Guarantors', senior unsecured obligations
and rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior
indebtedness of STI or the Guarantors, respectively, including indebtedness
under the Senior Credit Facilities and the Existing Notes. The Notes and the
guarantees rank senior in right of payment to all of STI's and the Guarantors'
future indebtedness and other obligations that expressly provide for their
subordination to the Notes and the guarantees. The Notes and the guarantees are
effectively junior to STI's and the Guarantors' existing and future secured
indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing that
indebtedness, including indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities. The
Notes and the guarantees also will be structurally subordinated to all existing
and future obligations, including trade payables, of any of STBV's subsidiaries
that do not guarantee the Notes.
Covenants
The Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of STBV and its
subsidiaries (including STI) to, among other things: incur liens; engage in sale
and leaseback transactions; with respect to any subsidiary of STBV (other than
STI), incur indebtedness without such subsidiary's guaranteeing the Notes; or
consolidate, merge with, or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease, or otherwise
dispose of all or substantially all of their properties or assets to, another
person. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications
set forth in the Indenture.
The guarantees of the Notes and certain of these covenants will be suspended if
the Notes are assigned an investment-grade rating by either Standard & Poor's or
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and no default has occurred and is continuing.
The guarantees of the Notes and the suspended covenants will be reinstated if
the Notes are no longer rated investment grade by both rating agencies or an
event of default has occurred and is continuing at such time.
Events of Default
The Indenture provides for events of default (subject in certain cases to
customary grace and cure periods), which include, among others, nonpayment of
principal or interest when due, breach of covenants or other agreements in the
Indenture, defaults in payment of certain other indebtedness, certain events of
bankruptcy or insolvency, failure to pay certain judgments, and when the
guarantees of significant subsidiaries cease to be in full force and effect.
Generally, if an event of default occurs, the Trustee or the holders of at least
25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal
of and accrued but unpaid interest on all of the Notes to be due and payable
immediately. All provisions regarding remedies in an event of default are
subject to the Indenture.
Optional Redemption
At any time, and from time to time, prior to February 15, 2026, STI may redeem
the Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus a "make whole" premium, plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. At
any time on or after February 15, 2026, STI may redeem the Notes, in whole or in
part, at the following prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount),
plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption
date:
Period beginning February 15, Price
2026 101.875 %
2027 100.938 %
2028 and thereafter 100.000 %
In addition, at any time prior to August 15, 2023, STI may redeem up to 40% of
the principal amount of the outstanding Notes (including additional Notes, if
any) with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption
price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 103.750%, plus accrued
and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, provided
that at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including
additional Notes, if any) remains outstanding immediately after each such
redemption.
Upon the occurrence of certain changes in control, each holder of the Notes will
have the right to require STI to repurchase the Notes at 101% of their principal
amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of
repurchase.
Upon changes in certain tax laws or treaties, or any change in the official
application, administration, or interpretation thereof, STI may, at its option,
redeem the Notes, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to 100%
of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to,
but excluding, the redemption date, premium, if any, and all Additional Amounts
(as defined in the Indenture), if any, then due and which will become due on the
date of redemption.
The offer and sale of the Notes has not been registered under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and, unless so registered, the Notes may not be offered or
sold in the United States without an applicable exemption from the registration
requirements of that act.
. . .
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation Under
an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into
this Item 2.03.
Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
The information set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into
this Item 3.03.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description
4.1 Indenture, dated as of August 17, 2020, among Sensata
Technologies, Inc., the Guarantors named therein, and The Bank of
New York Mellon, as the Trustee.
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within Inline XBRL
document).
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