Avaya's Reorganization Plan Filing: 10 Key Takeaways For Partners

'Best Path Forward'

Avaya released a slew of new information regarding its reorganization plan and strategy to combat its $6 billion debt, including a failed attempt to sell off its contact center business, according to a recent filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

In January, Avaya filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a move CEO Kevin Kennedy said was the "best path forward." The Santa Clara, Calif.-based unified communications specialist recently revealed it filed a reorganization plan that outlines a path to strengthen its balance sheet.

Here are 10 things channel partners need to know about Avaya's reorganization plan, cost-cutting initiatives and expectations for the future.

Reorganization Plan

Avaya said in the filing that it believes its reorganization plan will reduce its pre-filing debt by more than $4 billion while strengthening the company's balance sheet and improved financial flexibility for the long term. The vendor said restructuring will be achieved through a debt-for-equity exchange, in which certain secured creditors would acquire 100 percent of the reorganized Avaya's equity. Avaya's general unsecured creditors will share pro rata in a cash pool.

"[This] is a crucial step forward in our effort to recapitalize Avaya's balance sheet and create a stronger and healthier company," said CEO Kennedy in a statement about the filing.

Pension Plan

Avaya said in the filing that it plans to continue to honor and maintain its qualified U.S. pension plans, which make up the vast majority of the company's pension obligations. Overall, Avaya said its U.S. pension plan is underfunded, "with an estimated underfunding liability" of $1.05 billion as of Dec. 31, 2016, according to the filing.

$750 Million In Cash

Avaya said its consolidated balance sheet currently has more than $750 million in cash, according to the filing.

"The company's consolidated balance sheet now has more than $750 million in cash, reflecting DIP [debtor-in-possession] financing proceeds and positive cash flow from operations," said Kennedy in the statement.

Avaya Tried Selling Contact Center Business

In an effort to combat its debt, Avaya contacted 34 potential purchasers in the hopes of selling its contact center business, according to the filing. Eight potential buyers provided written bids for the contact center business, including a $3.9 billion bid. However, discussions with the confidential $3.9 billion buyer "eventually broke down" and Avaya determined that the proposal was no longer "actionable," according to the filing.

Avaya later received a purchase price of $3.7 billion for its contact center business, although the company ultimately declined to pursue the bid, according to the filing.

$330 Million Bid For Avaya's Networking Business

Avaya also contacted 37 potential buyers for its networking business, including nine financial sponsors, according to the filing. The company received four bids, ranging in value from $5 million to $330 million. The $330 million bidder lacked significant information around the deal structure, regulatory approvals and "typical due diligence" and was dropped out of the bidding.

The second highest bidder was Extreme Networks at $100 million, which announced its planned acquisition of Avaya's networking business on March 7.

Potential Bidding War?

Extreme Networks entered into an asset purchase agreement with Avaya for its networking business in which Extreme will serve as the primary bidder in a Section 363 sale under the Bankruptcy Code. This means other interested parties can still submit bids before a deadline set by the Bankruptcy Court, potentially giving Avaya the chance to select a higher bid.

According to the filing, final bids are due on May 18, 2017. If Avaya still does select Extreme as the buyer, the transaction is expected to close by June 30.

Cost-Cutting Initiatives

To improve operating efficiency and streamline costs and its overall balance sheet, Avaya implemented corporate cost-cutting measures -- which contributed to annual cost reductions of more than $700 million over three years, according to the filing.

Approximately $400 million resulted from headcount reductions, while $200 million was from cutting costs associated with declines in product revenue. Approximately $100 million was saved from reducing non-employee costs, such as vendor re-negotiations, process automation initiatives, and reducing costs associated with unused or under-utilized facilities.

Revenue Declines Ahead

Avaya is predicting overall revenue will steadily drop over the next three fiscal years, which end Sept. 30, according to the filing. The vendor said it anticipates revenue to drop 14 percent in fiscal year 2017 to $3.17 billion, followed by a 12 percent decline in fiscal year 2018 to $2.77 billion, then hitting a low of $2.69 billion in fiscal year 2019.

The company also said in the filing that its expects gross margins to drop over the next few years from $2.27 billion in fiscal year 2016 to $1.69 billion in fiscal year 2019. Avaya expects revenue and gross margins to increase slightly starting in 2020, according to the filing.

Revenue Breakdown

For fiscal year 2016, Avaya's unified communications business represented 58 percent of revenue, followed by its contact center business at 27 percent. Avaya's networking business accounted for 7 percent of the business, while the final 8 percent came from its private cloud and managed services business, according to the filing.

Channel partners accounted for 74 percent of total product revenue in fiscal year 2016, and 54 percent of Avaya's total services revenues, according to the filing.

CEO: Business As Usual

CEO Kennedy said Avaya's business operations have been running smoothly during the company's transition since filing for Chapter 11 in March.

"Our normal business operations are running well, and we continue to sign significant customer renewals and new customer contracts," said Kennedy in the statement. "We remain confident in our ability to maximize value for all of our stakeholders and to complete our balance sheet restructuring as soon as reasonably possible."