CIT Group Inc. announced that its Asset-Based Lending business, working in conjunction with its Sponsor Finance group, served as lead arranger on senior secured credit facility for von Drehle Corporation, a leading maker of high quality paper towel, tissue and dispensing products.

von Drehle, headquartered in Hickory, NC, used the proceeds to refinance debt and for general corporate purposes.

"The global pandemic has increased public understanding about the importance of cleaning and sanitation, and von Drehle has the right products to meet the needs of industrial, commercial and institutional customers and suppliers," said Randy Bergman, von Drehle President and CEO. "We appreciated CIT's agility and expertise in arranging this financing as we continue to focus on supporting our customers."

"We worked closely with von Drehle to understand their needs and were pleased to leverage our asset-based lending expertise to provide them with the financing to advance their business strategy at this important time," said Chris Esposito, Managing Director and Group Head for Asset-Based Lending.

"von Drehle is a leader in providing quality paper products to the away-from-home market," said Jeff Kilrea, Managing Director and Group Head for CIT's Sponsor Finance business. "We were pleased to help arrange financing and establish a relationship with this family-owned business as it extends its long track record of success."

CIT's Asset-Based Lending business helps meet clients' working capital needs by offering innovative structures that can reduce funding costs and lower operational risks while improving earnings by leveraging accounts receivable, inventory or fixed assets as collateral.

CIT's Sponsor Finance group provides cash flow and asset based senior debt solutions for private equity backed transactions in the middle market throughout the United States.

Both Asset-Based Lending and Sponsor Finance are part of CIT's Commercial Finance division.