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Note 7 - Debt
6 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements  
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]
7.
Debt
 
Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):
   
November 30,
2014
   
May 25,
2014
 
Real estate loan agreement with General Electric Capital Corporation (“GE Capital”); due in monthly principal and interest payments of $133,060 through May 1, 2022 with interest based on a fixed rate of 4.02% per annum
  $ 15,659     $ 16,137  
Capital equipment loan with GE Capital; due in monthly principal and interest payments of $175,356 through May 1, 2019 with interest based on a fixed rate of 4.39% per annum
    8,578       9,430  
Capital equipment loan with GE Capital; due in monthly principal and interest payments of $95,120 through September 1, 2019 with interest based on a fixed rate of 3.68% per annum
    6,924        
Capital equipment loan with GE Capital; due in monthly principal and interest payments of $55,828 through December 1, 2019 with interest based on a fixed rate of 3.74% per annum
    4,124        
Term note with BMO Harris Bank N.A. (“BMO Harris”); due in monthly payments of $250,000 through May 23, 2016 with interest payable monthly at LIBOR plus 2% per annum
    4,500       6,000  
Industrial revenue bonds (“IRBs”) issued by Lifecore; due in annual payments through 2020 with interest at a variable rate set weekly by the bond remarketing agent (0.25% and 0.28% at November 30, 2014 and May 25, 2014, respectively)
    2,440       2,805  
Total
    42,225       34,372  
Less current portion
    (7,550 )     (6,055 )
Long-term portion
  $ 34,675     $ 28,317  
 
On July 17, 2014, Apio entered into an amendment with GE Capital, which amended the revolving line of credit dated April 23, 2012 among the parties. Under the amendment, the revolving line of credit increased from $25 million to $40 million, the interest rate was reduced from LIBOR plus 2.0% to LIBOR plus 1.75%, the term was extended to July 17, 2019 and the parties made certain other insignificant changes. The availability under the revolving line of credit is based on the combination of the eligible accounts receivable and eligible inventory (availability was $31.1 million at November 30, 2014). Apio’s revolving line of credit has an unused fee of 0.375% per annum. At November 30, 2014 and May 25, 2014, $5.0 million and zero were outstanding under Apio’s revolving line of credit.
 
Also on July 17, 2014, Apio entered into a new equipment loan whereby Apio can borrow up to $25 million based on eligible equipment purchases between August 1, 2012 and August 31, 2015. Each borrowing under this new equipment loan has a five year term with a seven year amortization period. On August 28, 2014, Apio borrowed $7.1 million under the new equipment loan at a fixed rate of 3.68%. On November 24, 2014, Apio borrowed an additional $4.1 million under the new equipment loan at a fixed rate of 3.74%.
 
The GE Capital real estate, equipment and line of credit agreements (collectively the “GE Debt Agreements”) are secured by liens on all of the property of Apio and its subsidiaries. The GE Debt Agreements contain customary events of default under which obligations could be accelerated or increased. The GE Debt Agreements are guaranteed by Landec and Landec has pledged its equity interest in Apio as collateral under the line of credit agreement. The GE Debt Agreements contain customary covenants, such as limitations on the ability to (1) incur indebtedness or grant liens or negative pledges on Apio’s assets; (2) make loans or other investments; (3) pay dividends, sell stock or repurchase stock or other securities; (4) sell assets; (5) engage in mergers; (6) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and (7) make changes in Apio’s corporate structure. In addition, Apio must maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.10 to 1.0 if the availability under its line of credit falls below $12.0 million. Apio was in compliance with all financial covenants as of November 30, 2014 and May 25, 2014.
 
During the six months ended November 30, 2014, Apio capitalized $293,000 of loan origination fees from the revolving line of credit amendment and from the new equipment loan with GE Capital. These fees are being amortized over a five year period. Unamortized loan origination fees associated with all of the GE Capital debt agreements were $1.2 million and $1.0 million at November 30, 2014 and May 25, 2014, respectively, and are included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Amortization of loan origination fees for Apio recorded to interest expense for the three months ended November 30, 2014 and November 24, 2013 were $51,000 and $47,000, respectively. Amortization of loan origination fees for Apio recorded to interest expense for the six months ended November 30, 2014 and November 24, 2013 were $97,000 and $94,000, respectively.
 
On May 23, 2012, Lifecore entered into two financing agreements with BMO Harris and/or its affiliates, collectively (the “Lifecore Loan Agreements”):
 
 
1)
A Credit and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) which includes (a) a one-year, $10.0 million asset-based working capital revolving line of credit, with an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.85%, with availability based on the combination of Lifecore’s eligible accounts receivable and inventory balances (availability was $7.8 million at November 30, 2014) and with no unused fee (at November 30, 2014 and May 25, 2014, no amounts were outstanding under the line of credit) and (b) a $12.0 million term loan which matures in May 2016 due in monthly payments of $250,000 with interest payable monthly based on a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 2% (the “Term Loan”).
 
 
2)
A Reimbursement Agreement pursuant to which BMO Harris caused its affiliate Bank of Montreal to issue an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $3.5 million (the “Letter of Credit”) which is securing the IRB described below.
 
The obligations of Lifecore under the Lifecore Loan Agreements are secured by liens on all of the property of Lifecore. The Lifecore Loan Agreements contain customary covenants, such as limitations on the ability to (1) incur
indebtedness or grant liens or negative pledges on Lifecore’s assets; (2) make loans or other investments; (3) pay dividends or repurchase stock or other securities; (4) sell assets; (5) engage in mergers; (6) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; (7) adopt certain benefit plans; and (8) make changes in Lifecore’s corporate structure. In addition, under the Credit Agreement, Lifecore must maintain (a) a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.0 and a minimum quick ratio of 1.25 to 1.00, both of which must be satisfied as of the end of each fiscal quarter and (b) a minimum tangible net worth of $29,000,000, measured as of the end of each fiscal year. Lifecore was in compliance with all financial covenants as of November 30, 2014 and May 25, 2014. Unamortized loan origination fees for the Lifecore Loan Agreements were $73,000 and $98,000 at November 30, 2014 and May 25, 2014, respectively, and are included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amortization of loan origination fees recorded to interest expense for both the three months ended November 30, 2014 and November 24, 2013 was $13,000. Amortization of loan origination fees recorded to interest expense for both the six months ended November 30, 2014 and November 24, 2013 was $26,000.
 
The market value of the Company’s debt approximates its recorded value as the interest rate on each debt instrument approximates current market rates.
 
The Term Loan was used to repay Lifecore’s former credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (“Wells Fargo”). The Letter of Credit (which replaces a letter of credit previously provided by Wells Fargo) provides liquidity
and credit support for the IRBs.
 
On August 19, 2004, Lifecore issued variable rate industrial revenue bonds (“IRBs”) which were assumed by Landec in the acquisition of Lifecore. The IRBs are collateralized by a bank letter of credit which is secured by a first mortgage on the Company’s facility in Chaska, Minnesota.
In addition, the Company pays an
annual remarketing fee equal to 0.125% and an annual letter of credit fee of 0.75% on the outstanding principal balance.
The maturities on the IRBs are held in a sinking fund account, recorded in other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, and are paid out each year on September 1st.