KPS invested $25 million and GE Capital invested
$2 million in exchange for participating convertible preferred stock
issued by the Company, collectively convertible into approximately
75% of the Company's common stock. In connection with the transaction,
KPS has the right to designate a majority of the Company's Board
of Directors as long as KPS continues to own specified amounts of
preferred stock. KPS arranged a new $100 million credit facility
for the Company agented by GE Capital.
Formed in July 1997 and headquartered in Albany,
NY, United Road Services (www.unitedroad.com),
is a leading national provider of a broad range of services including
towing, impounding and storing motor vehicles, conducting lien sales
and auctions of abandoned vehicles and transporting new and used
vehicles and heavy construction equipment. United Road Services
has a network of 40 divisions located in 20 states.
KPS is excited that the Company's senior management
team will continue to be led by Mr. Gerald Riordan, Chief Executive
Officer. Mr. Riordan commented, "I am pleased with the completion
of the KPS transaction and the refinancing agented by GE Capital.
Our management team and employees are looking forward to working
with KPS and our new Board of Directors to return United Road Services
to profitable growth."
KPS Special Situations Fund. L.P., founded in 1998
by Eugene Keilin, Michael Psaros and David Shapiro, is a New York
City based private equity fund with over $210 million of committed
capital that focuses on constructive investing in restructurings,
turnarounds and other special situations.
Michael Psaros, a principal of KPS, added, "This
transaction marks a new beginning for United Road Services that
will allow the Company to realize its potential as a premier national
provider of transport, towing and recovery services. We have great
confidence in the Company's senior management team and believe that
our equity investment, coupled with a new credit facility, will
provide the Company with the capital resources needed to execute
its turn-around plan. We are excited about this investment and look
forward to working with the Company's employees to complete the
integration of the Company's assets, deliver superior service to
our customers and maximize value for the Company's stockholders."
The principals of the KPS Fund have restructured
numerous companies in basic manufacturing and service industries.
In addition to United Road Services, KPS currently owns a controlling
interest in Blue Ridge Paper Products Inc., a leading manufacturer
of envelope grade paper and coated board used in liquid packaging;
Blue Heron Paper Company, a West Coast manufacturer of newsprint
and related paper products; and DeVlieg-Bullard, Inc., a manufacturer
of OEM machine tools, parts and services.
This release contains forward-looking statements.
These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Readers should not
place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect
management's view only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes
no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements
to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Readers should carefully
review the risk factors described in the documents the Company files
from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.