Cadre Holdings, Inc. Debt Disclosure
| 10. | DEBT |
The Company’s debt is as follows:
| December 31, | |||||
2024 |
| 2023 | ||||
Short-term debt: |
|
|
|
| ||
Insurance premium financing | $ | — | $ | 2,187 | ||
Current portion of term loan |
| 11,250 |
| 10,000 | ||
Current portion of other |
| 125 |
| 133 | ||
$ | 11,375 | $ | 12,320 | |||
Long-term debt: |
|
|
|
| ||
Revolver |
| — |
| — | ||
Term loan |
| 213,750 |
| 128,564 | ||
Other |
| 251 |
| 398 | ||
$ | 214,001 | $ | 128,962 | |||
Unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs |
| (2,171) |
| (1,150) | ||
Total long-term debt, net | $ | 211,830 | $ | 127,812 | ||
The following summarizes the aggregate principal payments of our long-term debt, excluding debt discount and debt issuance costs, for the next five years and thereafter:
2025 |
| $ | 11,375 |
2026 |
| 11,375 | |
2027 |
| 11,376 | |
2028 |
| 11,250 | |
2029 |
| 180,000 | |
Total principal payments | $ | 225,376 |
2021 Credit Facility
On August 20, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), the Company refinanced its existing credit facilities and entered into a new credit agreement whereby Safariland, LLC, as borrower (the “Borrower”), the Company and certain domestic subsidiaries of the Borrower, as guarantors (the “Guarantors”), closed on and received funding under a credit agreement (initially entered into on July 23, 2021), pursuant to a First Amendment to Credit Agreement (collectively, the “2021 Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC”), as administrative agent, and the several lenders from time to time party thereto (together with PNC, the “Lenders”) pursuant to which the Borrower (i) borrowed $200,000 under a term loan (the “Term Loan”), and (ii) may borrow up to $100,000 under a revolving credit facility (including up to $15,000 for letters of credit and up to $10,000 for swing line loans) (the
“Revolving Loan”). Each of the Term Loan and the Revolving Loan mature on July 23, 2026. Commencing December 31, 2021, the Term Loan requires scheduled quarterly payments in amounts equal to 1.25% per quarter of the original aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan, with the balance due at maturity. The 2021 Credit Agreement is guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Guarantors and, subject to certain exceptions, secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Borrower and the Guarantors pursuant to a Security and Pledge Agreement and a Guaranty and Suretyship Agreement, each dated as of the Closing Date.
The Borrower may elect to have the Revolving Loan and Term Loan under the 2021 Credit Agreement bear interest at a base rate or LIBOR, in each case, plus an applicable margin. However, in connection with the market transition away from applicable LIBOR rates to SOFR, on May 31, 2023, the Company, the Borrowers and the Lenders entered into the third amendment to the 2021 Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment”) pursuant to which the 2021 Credit Agreement was amended to implement the SOFR rates. The applicable interest rates for these borrowings are, at the Company’s option, either (a) a base rate plus an applicable margin between 0.50% and 1.50% or (b) a Term SOFR rate, plus a SOFR adjustment equal to 0.10%, plus an applicable margin equal to 1.50% to 2.50%. The 2021 Credit Agreement also requires the Borrower to pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the loan commitments. Such commitment fee ranges between 0.175% and 0.25% per annum, and is also based upon the level of the Company’s consolidated total net leverage ratio. The 2021 Credit Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on additional indebtedness, dividends, and other distributions, entry into new lines of business, use of loan proceeds, capital expenditures, restricted payments, restrictions on liens on the assets of the Borrowers or any Guarantor, transactions with affiliates, amendments to organizational documents, accounting changes, sale and leaseback transactions, dispositions, and mandatory prepayments in connection with certain liquidity events. The 2021 Credit Agreement contains certain restrictive debt covenants, which require us to: (i) maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25 to 1.00, starting with the quarter ended December 31, 2021, which is to be determined for each quarter end on a trailing four quarter basis and (ii) maintain a quarterly maximum consolidated total net leverage ratio of 3.75 to 1.00 from the quarter ended December 31, 2021 until the quarter ended September 30, 2022, and thereafter 3.50 to 1.00, which is in each case to be determined on a trailing four quarter basis; provided that under certain circumstances and subject to certain limitations, in the event of a material acquisition, we may temporarily increase the consolidated total net leverage ratio by up to 0.50 to 1.00 for four fiscal quarters following such acquisition. The 2021 Credit Agreement contains customary events of default that include, among others, non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations and warranties, failure to make payment on, or defaults with respect to, certain other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, material judgments and change of control provisions. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, and after the expiration of any applicable grace period, payment of any outstanding loans under the 2021 Credit Agreement may be accelerated and the Lenders could foreclose on their security interests in the assets of the Borrowers and the Guarantors.
In connection with the Borrower’s acquisition of Alpha Safety on March 1, 2024, the Borrower and the Guarantors entered into an Incremental Facility Amendment to the 2021 Credit Agreement, whereby the Lenders made an incremental term loan to the Borrower in the principal amount of $80,000 for the purpose of funding the acquisition of Alpha Safety. All other material terms of the 2021 Credit Agreement remained unchanged.
Canadian Credit Facility
On October 14, 2021, Med-Eng Holdings ULC and Pacific Safety Products Inc., the Company’s Canadian subsidiaries, as borrowers (the “Canadian Borrowers”), and Safariland, LLC, as guarantor (the “Canadian Guarantor”), closed on a line of credit pursuant to a Loan Agreement (the “Canadian Loan Agreement”) and a Revolving Line of Credit Note (the “Note”) with PNC Bank Canada Branch (“PNC Canada”), as lender pursuant to which the Canadian Borrowers may borrow up to CDN$10,000 under a revolving line of credit (including up to $3,000 for letters of credit) (the “Revolving Canadian Loan”). The Revolving Canadian Loan matures on July 23, 2026. The Canadian Loan Agreement is guaranteed by the Canadian Guarantor pursuant to a Guaranty and Suretyship Agreement (the “Canadian Guaranty Agreement”).
The Canadian Borrowers may elect to have borrowings either in United States dollars or Canadian dollars under the Canadian Loan Agreement, which will bear interest at a base rate or SOFR, in each case, plus an applicable margin, in the case of borrowings in United States dollars, or at a Canadian Prime Rate (as announced from time to time by PNC Canada) or a Canadian deposit offered rate (“CDOR”) as determined from time to time by PNC Canada in accordance with the Canadian Loan Agreement. The applicable margin for these borrowings range from 0.50% to 1.50% per annum, in the case of base rate borrowings and Canadian Prime Rate borrowings, and 1.50% to 2.50% per annum, in the case of SOFR borrowings and CDOR borrowings. The Canadian Loan Agreement
also requires the Canadian Borrowers to pay (i) an unused line fee on the unused portion of the loan commitments in an amount ranging between 0.175% and 0.25% per annum, based upon the level of the Company’s consolidated total net leverage ratio, and (ii) an upfront fee equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of the Note.
There were no amounts outstanding under the Revolving Canadian Loan as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
The Canadian Loan Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants, including, among others, limitations on additional indebtedness, entry into new lines of business, entry into guarantee agreements, making of any loans or advances to, or investments in, any other person, restrictions on liens on the assets of the Canadian Borrowers and mergers, transfers of assets and acquisitions. The Canadian Loan Agreement and Note also contain customary events of default that include, among others, non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations and warranties, failure to make payment on, or defaults with respect to, certain other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, material judgments and change of control provisions.
Upon the occurrence of an event of default, and after the expiration of any applicable grace period, payment of any outstanding loans under the Canadian Loan Agreement may be accelerated.
2024 Credit Agreement
On December 20, 2024 (the “2024 Credit Agreement Closing Date”), the Company refinanced its existing credit facilities and entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2024 Credit Agreement”), whereby Safariland, LLC, as borrower (the “2024 Borrower”), the Company, and certain domestic subsidiaries of the 2024 Borrower, as guarantors (the “2024 Guarantors”), closed on and received funding under the 2024 Credit Agreement with PNC, as administrative agent, swingline lender, and issuing lender, along with several other lenders (collectively, the “2024 Lenders”). The 2024 Credit Agreement amends and restates the 2021 Credit Agreement in its entirety.
The Company performed an analysis on a creditor-by-creditor basis for debt modifications and extinguishments to determine the appropriate accounting treatment of associated issuance costs. In connection with the refinancing, the Company recorded a loss on debt modification of $139 for the year ended December 31, 2024.
In connection with the 2024 Credit Agreement, the Company paid financing costs totaling $2,759, of which $1,052 related to the Term Loan, $818 related to the Revolving Loan and $888 related to the delayed draw facilities. Total financing costs consisted of $2,293 of fees paid to lenders and $466 of debt issuance costs. Costs incurred in connection with the Term Loan were deferred and recorded as an offset to long-term debt. Costs incurred in connection with the Revolving Loan and delayed draw facilities were deferred and recorded to other current assets and other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had unamortized deferred debt costs of $2,171 and $1,150, respectively, included as an offset to debt in the consolidated balance sheets.
There were no amounts outstanding under any revolving loans as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. As of December 31, 2024, there were $2,165 in outstanding letters of credit and $172,835 of availability.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the term loan outstanding principal balance was $225,000 and $138,564 and bore interest at 6.13% and 6.96%, respectively.
Pursuant to the 2024 Credit Agreement, the 2024 Borrower (i) borrowed $225,000 under a term loan facility (the “2024 Term Loans”), (ii) may borrow up to $175,000 under a revolving credit facility (the “2024 Revolving Loan”), including up to $30,000 for letters of credit and up to $10,000 for swingline loans, (iii) may borrow up to $115,000 under a delayed draw term loan A-1 facility (the “DDTL A-1 Facility”) available through June 20, 2025, and (iv) may borrow up to $75,000 under a delayed draw term loan A-2 facility (the “DDTL A-2 Facility”) available through June 20, 2026. Each of these facilities matures on December 20, 2029. The proceeds of the 2024 Term Loans were used to refinance the outstanding term loans under the 2021 Credit Agreement and to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with entering into the 2024 Credit Agreement. The 2024 Credit Agreement also permits the 2024 Borrower, subject to certain requirements, to arrange with lenders for an aggregate of $100,000 (or more if certain leverage ratios are met) of additional revolving and/or term loan commitments (both of which are currently uncommitted).
The 2024 Borrower may elect to have borrowings under the 2024 Credit Agreement bear interest at either (i) a base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.50% to 1.50% per annum or (ii) a term SOFR rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.50% per annum, in each case based on the Company’s consolidated total net leverage ratio. The 2024 Borrower is also required to pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the 2024 Revolving Loan, the DDTL A-1 Facility, and the DDTL A-2 Facility, ranging from 0.175% to 0.25% per annum, based on the Company’s consolidated total net leverage ratio.
The 2024 Term Loans require scheduled quarterly principal payments of 1.25% of the original aggregate principal amount, beginning March 31, 2025, with the balance due at maturity. There were no amounts outstanding under the 2024 Revolving Loan, the DDTL A-1 Facility, or the DDTL A-2 Facility as of December 31, 2024.
The 2024 Credit Agreement is guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the 2024 Guarantors and, subject to certain exceptions, secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of the assets of the 2024 Borrower and the 2024 Guarantors pursuant to an Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement and an Amended and Restated Guaranty and Suretyship Agreement, each dated as of the 2024 Credit Agreement Closing Date.
The 2024 Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on additional indebtedness, dividends, and other distributions, entry into new lines of business, use of loan proceeds, capital expenditures, restricted payments, restrictions on liens on the assets of the 2024 Borrower or any 2024 Guarantor, transactions with affiliates, amendments to organizational documents, accounting changes, sale and leaseback transactions, dispositions, and mandatory prepayments in connection with certain liquidity events. Additionally, the 2024 Credit Agreement contains certain restrictive debt covenants, which require us to: (i) maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25 to 1.00, starting with the quarter ended December 31, 2024, which is to be determined for each quarter end on a trailing four quarter basis and (ii) maintain a quarterly maximum consolidated total net leverage ratio of 4.00 to 1.00 from the quarter ended December 31, 2024 until the quarter ended March 31, 2026, and thereafter 3.50 to 1.00, which is in each case to be determined on a trailing four quarter basis; provided that under certain circumstances and subject to certain limitations, in the event of a material acquisition, we may temporarily increase the consolidated total net leverage ratio by up to 0.50 to 1.00 for four fiscal quarters following such acquisition, subject to a maximum consolidated total net leverage ratio of 4.00 to 1.00. Furthermore, the 2024 Credit Agreement also includes customary events of default, including non-payment of principal, interest, or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations and warranties, failure to make payments on other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, material judgments, and change of control provisions. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, and after the expiration of any applicable grace period, payment of any outstanding loans under the 2024 Credit Agreement may be accelerated, and the Lenders could foreclose on their security interests in the assets of the Borrower and the Guarantors.
Short-Term Debt
In July 2023, the Company entered into a short-term loan facility for insurance premiums with First Insurance Funding for $3,948 with a maturity date of June 27, 2024. The loan has fixed annual interest of 7.49% on the outstanding balance and requires monthly payments of principal and interest of $373. There were no amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2023, $2,187 was outstanding.
Fair Value of Debt
The carrying value of our long-term debt obligations approximates the fair value, as the long-term debt was entered close to year-end and contains a floating interest rate component. The Company classifies its long-term debt within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
About Debt Disclosures
Debt disclosures detail a company's borrowing structure — the types of instruments, interest rates, maturity schedule, and covenant restrictions that define its financial obligations and flexibility. This section is essential for assessing refinancing risk, interest rate exposure, and the margin of safety against financial distress.
Key signals: the maturity schedule reveals concentration risk — large maturities within 1-2 years during tight credit markets can force dilutive refinancing or asset sales. Compare the fair value of debt against carrying amount to gauge whether the market views the company's credit risk differently than the balance sheet suggests. Watch covenant compliance disclosures for tightening cushions, especially leverage and interest coverage ratios. Variable-rate debt exposure quantifies sensitivity to interest rate changes. Secured versus unsecured mix affects recovery rates and future borrowing capacity. Compare net debt-to-EBITDA against industry peers and covenant limits to assess financial health.