Note 3 - Debt

12 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2013

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Long-term Debt [Text Block]

NOTE 3 – DEBT

Description.  On September 20, 2012, Transcat entered into a credit agreement with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (the “M&T Credit Agreement”). The M&T Credit Agreement provides for a three-year revolving credit facility in the amount of $20.0 million (the “M&T Revolving Credit Facility”) and replaced the credit agreement dated as of November 20, 2006, as amended, with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Chase Credit Agreement”). As of March 30, 2013, $8.0 million was outstanding under the M&T Revolving Credit Facility and is included in long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Interest and Other Costs.  Interest on the M&T Revolving Credit Facility accrues, at Transcat’s election, at either the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), adjusting daily, or a fixed rate for a designated period at the LIBOR corresponding to such period, in each case, plus a margin. Commitment fees accrue based on the average daily amount of unused credit available on the M&T Revolving Credit Facility. Commitment fees and interest rate margins are determined on a quarterly basis based upon the Company’s calculated leverage ratio, as defined in the M&T Credit Agreement. The one-month LIBOR as of March 30, 2013 was 0.2%. The Company’s interest rate for fiscal year 2013, including interest associated with the Chase Credit Agreement, ranged from 1.1% to 2.8%.

Covenants.  The M&T Credit Agreement has certain covenants with which the Company has to comply, including a fixed charge ratio covenant and a leverage ratio covenant.  The Company was in compliance with all loan covenants and requirements, including those associated with the Chase Credit Agreement, throughout fiscal year 2013.

Loan Costs.  Costs associated with the M&T Credit Agreement, totaling less than $0.1 million, are being amortized over the term of the agreement. On September 20, 2012, unamortized costs associated with the Chase Credit Agreement totaling less than $0.1 million were written off and recorded as interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Other Terms.  The Company has pledged all of its U.S. tangible and intangible personal property, the equity interests of its U.S.-based subsidiaries, and a majority of the common stock of Transmation (Canada) Inc. as collateral security for the loans made under the M&T Revolving Credit Facility.