Milacron LLC announced that it has completed its previously announced purchase of substantially all of the businesses and assets of Milacron Inc. The new company is owned by a group of investors led by Avenue Capital Group and DDJ Capital Management LLC. The completion of this purchase enables the Milacron businesses to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and puts them in a stronger competitive position than at any time in the past decade. 

Milacron LLC is a new, privately held entity with a significantly stronger balance sheet including lower debt and greater operating capital. The Batavia, Ill.-based company has more than $500 million fewer liabilities, including more than $230 million, or roughly 80% less debt than the previous company. It also has secured a new $55 million revolving credit facility led by Wells Fargo Foothill, part of Wells Fargo & Company and Bank of America N.A., which was undrawn at close. A $75 million second-lien term loan facility has also been provided by the new investor group.

Dennis Smith, the new president and CEO, will head up Milacron LLC. Smith comes to the company with a strong operations background and has led significant, successful turnarounds in his last five engagements.

“This sale is good news for Milacron LLC and its customers,” Smith said. “The new capital structure, combined with the cost savings of operating as a private entity, gives the company considerable financial strength. We are well positioned to leverage the strengths of our business units and industry-leading brands to bring new solutions to our customers.”

The new company will continue to operate all of its major businesses, going to market under a business unit structure that retains its global, industry-leading brands including: Milacron Injection and Extrusion, plastics processing machinery, related parts and comprehensive services; DME, mold technologies and services; Uniloy, blow molding and structural foam solutions; and Cimcool, metalworking fluids technology and customer services.

“This structure gives our business units greater flexibility to satisfy evolving customer requirements across the globe. Meanwhile, by sharing resources and leveraging our strengths globally, our businesses will be much better positioned to succeed,” Smith said.

Smith will be supported by a strong leadership team with a long history of commitment to Milacron. For instance, Dave Lawrence will serve as president of the Injection/Extrusion Plastics Machinery and DME businesses worldwide. As CEO of Milacron, Inc., Lawrence’s skills, dedication and efforts were vital to the businesses’ expedient emergence from Chapter 11.

Other members of the new company’s leadership team include Bob McKee, who will serve as president of Cimcool, and John Francy, who will serve as chief financial officer and chief administrative officer. Smith also will serve as president of Uniloy.

“I’m delighted to be joining an organization with such a proud history and vibrant brands,” Smith added. “While the economy is still challenging, Milacron is a strong business, thanks to great products, dedicated employees, loyal customers and a supportive industry. I’m excited about the prospects that lie ahead.”