/raid1/www/Hosts/bankrupt/TCREUR

/raid1/www/Hosts/bankrupt/TCREUR_Public/041213.mbx T R O U B L E D C O M P A N Y R E P O R T E R E U R O P E Monday, December 13, 2004, Vol. 5, No. 246 Headlines F R A N C E REMY COINTREAU: Credits 'Value Strategy' for Solid H1 Results G E R M A N Y BDD BEROLINA: Administrator's Report Out Next Month BK-KABEL GMBH: Gives Creditors Until this Week to File Claims COOKIE COMPANY: Succumbs to Bankruptcy HEBA GEISELTALER: Court Sets Claims Deadline January MFS FORDERSYSTEME: Creditors' Meeting Set January MODESTA SCHMUCK: Bankruptcy Court Stays All Pending Lawsuits OMTEC BAU: Under Bankruptcy Administration PRO-KRAFT: Sets Creditors' Meeting Thursday RABO PROJEKTMANAGEMENT: Applies for Bankruptcy Proceedings UNIT BAUPROJEKTMANAGEMENT: Koln Court Appoints Administrator I T A L Y PARMALAT U.S.A.: Farmland Reaches Deal with Unsecured Creditors P O L A N D CZESTOCHOWA STEEL: E.U. Fine to Sway Sale Price, Says Investor ELEKTRIM SA: Vivendi Keeps Legal Ownership of PTC Shares R U S S I A AGRO-KHIMIYA: Sets Public Auction this Week CONCRETE-PROM-RESOURCE: Declared Insolvent DROSKOVO: Deadline for Proofs of Claim January ELEKTROUGLINSKIY FACTORY: Under Bankruptcy Supervision KALININSKOYE: Gives Creditors Until January to File Claims MERIT-BANK: Bankruptcy Proceedings Begin MISHERON-GLASS: Hires N. Solovyev as Insolvency Manager NYUKSENSKIY WOOD-PROM-KHOZ: Sets Public Auction this Week ORBITA: Komi Court Appoints Insolvency Manager SIB-PROD-COM: Hires V. Bolba as Insolvency Manager TULA-MILK: Insolvency Manager to Temporarily Oversee Business S W E D E N SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES: Opens New Non-stop Routes U K R A I N E DONETSKMETALURGREMONT: Court Grants Debt Moratorium KIROVOGRADBUD: Undergoes Bankruptcy Supervision Procedure KIROVOGRAD' QUARRY: Insolvency Manager to Temporarily Run Biz KOMETA: Court Appoints Temporary Insolvency Manager PUBLISHERS LUGAN: Hires Oleksij Kovalyov as Insolvency Manager RADYANSKA DONETCHINA: Bankruptcy Supervision Begins REINFORCED METAL: Under Bankruptcy Supervision SEZAM: Succumbs to Insolvency STAHANOVSHLYAHBUD: Calls in Liquidator UKRMETALURGCOMPLEX: Bankruptcy Supervision Begins U N I T E D K I N G D O M 22 22 MEDIA: Members Pass Winding up Resolutions AC PROMOTIONS: Names BWC Business Solutions Liquidator ARTHUR COOPER: Special Winding up Resolutions Passed BELFAST EUROPA: Calls in Liquidators from Mercer & Hole BRIGHTON GRAND: Hires Liquidators from Mercer & Hole COOPER & ROE: To Axe Up to 320 Employees GLOW COMMUNICATIONS: Hires Antony Batty as Administrator ICE SYSTEMS: Brings in Administrator from Geoffrey Martin & Co. IRONMAN LIMITED: Clothing Company Calls in Administrator JARVIS PLC: Faces Possible Legal Action Over PFI Deal MARCONI CORPORATION: Named Preferred Bidder for SCADA Project PENHURST (HAMLET): Hires Baker Tilly as Liquidator PNEUMATIC HYDRAULIC: Special Winding up Resolution Passed PREMIER FOODS: Buys Kraft Food Brands for GBP70 Million PREMIER FOODS: Buying Kraft's U.K. Desserts Biz for US$135 Mln QDOS INDUSTRIES: HSBC Bank Appoints P&A Partnership Receiver REGIS (NATIONWIDE FINN HOUSE): Calls in Liquidator from Begbies SCOTT ASSOCIATES: Hires Administrators from Bridgers THE FRUIT: Names Shaw and Brook Administrators THORNTONS PLC: Appoints New Finance Director TTH HOLDINGS: Hires Administrators from Kroll Limited ********* =========== F R A N C E =========== REMY COINTREAU: Credits 'Value Strategy' for Solid H1 Results ------------------------------------------------------------- Highlights of interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2004: (a) Turnover: organic growth of 6.3%, (b) Operating profit: organic growth of 18.6% The key data for the first six months of the year confirms the impact of the value strategy adopted by the Group and the relevance of the brands' top of the range positioning. Remy Cointreau recorded a solid improvement in its performance in the six months under review. All the Group's major brands achieved growth in their principal markets: Remy Martin in China and the U.S., Cointreau in the U.S., Piper-Heidsieck champagne international sales recovered strongly in the second quarter, Bols Vodka in Poland. Price increases, sustained marketing expenditure and the acceleration of innovation, combined with the effectiveness of operating economies, resulted in the improvement of the Group's operating profitability. Debt and financial charges decreased. However, Remy Cointreau's organic performance, achieving over 50% of its sales outside the Euro zone, has been offset by a negative exchange rate effect, despite the Group's efficient hedging policy. A full copy of the financial report is available free of charge at http://bankrupt.com/misc/Remy_6Mos2004.pdf. * * * In August, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services revised its outlook on Remy to negative from stable. At the same time, it also affirmed its 'BB' long-term corporate credit and senior unsecured debt ratings on the group. "We are concerned by Remy Cointreau's stretched financial profile," said Standard & Poor's credit analyst Patrice Cochelin. "Since the group's debt s essentially euro- denominated, debt measures are not naturally hedged against dollar movements, which caused funds from operations (FFO) coverage of net fully adjusted debt to drop to a very low 8.2% at March 31, 2004 (9.8%, excluding the cooperatives' debt)." Remy Cointreau reported gross consolidated debt of EUR944 million at end-March 2004. Standard & Poor's expects that foreign exchange variations will continue to exceed improvements in Remy Cointreau's organic profit in the coming months. "The rating could be lowered by one notch if prospects for a 15% FFO coverage of net adjusted debt by March 2006 recede further. We expect meaningful progress to have been made in that respect by March 31, 2005," added Mr. Cochelin The ratings on Remy Cointreau continue to reflect the group's leading position in cognac, leveraged financial profile, and certain degree of business diversity (presence in spirits, liqueurs, and champagne). ============= G E R M A N Y ============= BDD BEROLINA: Administrator's Report Out Next Month --------------------------------------------------- The district court of Charlottenburg opened bankruptcy proceedings against BDD Berolina Drug Development GmbH on Nov. 16, 2004. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. Creditors have until Feb. 14, 2005 to register their claims with court-appointed provisional administrator Hartwig Albers. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting on Jan. 11, 2005, 9:30 a.m. at the district court of Charlottenburg, Amtsgerichtsplatz 1, 14057 Berlin, II at which time the administrator will present his first report of the insolvency proceedings. The court will verify the claims set out in the administrator's report on April 13, 2005 at the same venue. CONTACT: BDD BEROLINA DRUG DEVELOPMENT GMBH Bitterfelderstr. 19,12681 Berlin Hartwig Albers, Insolvency Manager Lutzowstr. 100, 10785 Berlin BK-KABEL GMBH: Gives Creditors Until this Week to File Claims ------------------------------------------------------------- The district court of Dresden opened bankruptcy proceedings against BK-Kabel GmbH on Nov. 5, 2004. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. Creditors have until Dec. 15, 2004 to register their claims with court-appointed provisional administrator Henning Schorisch. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting on Jan. 27, 2005, 10:30 a.m. at the district court of Dresden, Olbrichtplatz 1, 01099 Dresden, at which time the administrator will present his first report of the insolvency proceedings. The court will also verify the claims set out in the administrator's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors committee and or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. CONTACT: BK-KABEL GMBH Theresienstr. 8 in 01097 Dresden Paul Alfred Hubert, Manager HWW Web site: http://www.hww-kanzlei.de Henning Schorisch, Insolvency Manager Wasastrasse 15, 01219 Dresden COOKIE COMPANY: Succumbs to Bankruptcy -------------------------------------- The district court of Koln opened bankruptcy proceedings against The Cookie Company GmbH on Nov. 2, 2004. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. Creditors have until Dec. 22, 2004 to register their claims with court-appointed provisional administrator Ulrich Forster. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting on Jan. 25, 2005, 9:30 a.m. at the district court of Koln, Hauptstelle, Luxemburger Strasse 101, 50939 Koln, 1. Etage, Saal 142, at which time the administrator will present his first report of the insolvency proceedings. The court will also verify the claims set out in the administrator's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors committee and or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. CONTACT: THE COOKIE COMPANY GMBH Schloss-Rahe-Str. 15, 52072 Aachen Leonardus Antonius Julia Kroese, Manager Ulrich Forster, Insolvency Manager Martinstr. 22 - 24, 50667 Koln Phone: 9257000 Fax: +4922192570050 HEBA GEISELTALER: Court Sets Claims Deadline January ---------------------------------------------------- The district court of Halle-Saalkreis opened bankruptcy proceedings against HeBa Geiseltaler-Haustechnik GmbH on Nov. 12, 2004. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. Creditors have until Jan. 12, 2005 to register their claims with court-appointed provisional administrator Dr. Dieter Kuhne. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting on Feb. 9, 2005, 9:00 a.m. at the district court of Halle-Saalkreis, Saal 1.043, Justizzentrum, Thuringer Str. 16, 06112 Halle, at which time the administrator will present his first report of the insolvency proceedings. The court will also verify the claims set out in the administrator's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors committee and or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. CONTACT: HEBA GEISELTALER-HAUSTECHNIK GMBH Brauhausstr. 2, 06242 Braunsbedra (HRB 10867) Daniel Konig Dr. Dieter Kuhne, Insolvency Manager Grenzstrasse 37, D-06112 Halle Phone: 0345/5703290 Fax: 0345/5703299 MFS FORDERSYSTEME: Creditors' Meeting Set January ------------------------------------------------- The district court of Bremen opened bankruptcy proceedings against MFS Fordersysteme GmbH on Nov. 12, 2004. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. Creditors have until Feb. 8, 2005 to register their claims with court-appointed provisional administrator Dr. Jochen Orgelmann. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting on Jan. 6, 2005, 9:45 a.m. at the district court of Bremen, Saal 115, Gerichtshaus (Neubau), Ostertorstr. 25-31, 28195 Bremen, at which time the administrator will present his first report of the insolvency proceedings. The court will verify the claims set out in the administrator's report on March 3, 2005 at the same venue. CONTACT: MFS FORDERSYSTEME GMBH Kedinger Str. 15, 28259 Bremen (AG Bremen, HRB 21126) Ralf Hartmut Bethke, Manager Dr. Jochen Ogelmann, Insolvency Manager Schillerstr. 10, 28195 Bremen Phone: 0421/337790 Fax: 0421/3377933 MODESTA SCHMUCK: Bankruptcy Court Stays All Pending Lawsuits ------------------------------------------------------------ The district court of Erfurt opened bankruptcy proceedings against Modesta Schmuck GmbH on Nov. 15, 2004. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. Creditors have until Dec. 27, 2004 to register their claims with court-appointed provisional administrator Thomas Alter. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting on Jan. 17, 2005, 11:00 a.m. at the district court of Erfurt, Saal 12, Justizzentrum Erfurt, Amtsgericht Erfurt, Rudolfstr. 46, 99092 Erfurt at which time the administrator will present his first report of the insolvency proceedings. The court will also verify the claims set out in the administrator's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors committee and or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. CONTACT: MODESTA SCHMUCK GMBH Ohrdrufer Strasse 44, 99880 Waltershausen Dietrich Seifert, Manager Thomas Alter, Insolvency Manager Schillerstr.2, 99096 Erfurt OMTEC BAU: Under Bankruptcy Administration ------------------------------------------ The district court of Charlottenburg opened bankruptcy proceedings against OMTEC Bau GmbH on Nov. 17, 2004. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. Creditors have until Feb. 9, 2005 to register their claims with court-appointed provisional administrator Dr. Dirk Wittkowski. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting on Jan. 12, 2005, 9:30 a.m. at the district court of Charlottenburg, Amtsgerichtsplatz 1, 14057 Berlin, II. Stock Saal 218, at which time the administrator will present his first report of the insolvency proceedings. The court will verify the claims set out in the administrator's report on April 6, 2005 at the same venue. CONTACT: OMTEC BAU GMBH Josef-Orlopp-Str. 94,10365 Berlin RA Dr. Dirk Wittkowski, Insolvency Manager Kirchblick 11, 14129 Berlin PRO-KRAFT: Sets Creditors' Meeting Thursday ------------------------------------------- The district court of Charlottenburg opened bankruptcy proceedings against Pro-Kraft-GmbH on Nov. 15, 2004. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. Creditors have until Jan. 27, 2005 to register their claims with court-appointed provisional administrator Dr. Dirk Wittkowski. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting on Dec. 16, 2004, 10:40 a.m. at the district court of Charlottenburg, Amtsgerichtsplatz 1, 14057 Berlin, II. Stock Saal 218, at which time the administrator will present his first report of the insolvency proceedings. The court will verify the claims set out in the administrator's report on March 24, 2005 at the same venue. CONTACT: PRO-KRAFT-GMBH Seeburger Strasse 8-11,13581 Berlin RA Dr. Dirk Wittkowksi, Insolvency Manager Kirchblick 11, 14129 Berlin RABO PROJEKTMANAGEMENT: Applies for Bankruptcy Proceedings ---------------------------------------------------------- The district court of Halle-Saalkreis opened bankruptcy proceedings against RABO Projektmanagement- und GrundstUcksentwicklungs-GmbH on Nov. 9, 2004. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. Creditors have until Jan. 4, 2005 to register their claims with court-appointed provisional administrator Rudiger Bauch. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting on Feb. 1, 2005, 9:15 a.m. at the district court of Halle-Saalkreis, Saal 1043, Justizzentrum, Thuringer Str. 16, 06112 Halle at which time the administrator will present his first report of the insolvency proceedings. The court will also verify the claims set out in the administrator's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors committee and or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. CONTACT: RABO PROJEKTMANAGEMENT- UND GRUNDSTUCKSENTWICKLUNGS- GMBH Dieselstrasse 136, 06130 Halle (HRB 10997) Detlef Forster, Manager Rudiger Bauch, Insolvency Manager Sternstrasse 13, D-06108 Halle Phone: 0345/5200111 Fax: 0345/5200066 UNIT BAUPROJEKTMANAGEMENT: Koln Court Appoints Administrator ------------------------------------------------------------ The district court of Koln opened bankruptcy proceedings against UNIT Bauprojektmanagement und Baugesellschaft mbH on Nov. 17, 2004. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. Creditors have until Jan. 20, 2005 to register their claims with court-appointed provisional administrator Dr. Wolfgang Delhaes. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting on Feb. 15, 2005, 10:00 a.m. at the district court of Koln, Hauptstelle, Luxemburger Strasse 101, 50939 Koln, 13. Etage, Saal 1311 at which time the administrator will present his first report of the insolvency proceedings. The court will also verify the claims set out in the administrator's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors committee and or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. CONTACT: UNIT BAUPROJEKTMANAGEMENT UND BAUGESELLSCHAFT MBH St. Katharinen 16, 50678 Koln Alfred Siniatowicz, Manager Dr. Wolfgang Delhaes, Insolvency Manager Media Park 6 A, 50670 Koln Phone: 0221/574 379 04 Fax: +4922157437939 ========= I T A L Y ========= PARMALAT U.S.A.: Farmland Reaches Deal with Unsecured Creditors --------------------------------------------------------------- Farmland Dairies LLC has filed its Disclosure Statement and Plan of Reorganization with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. "We have worked very closely with our creditors to develop a plan of reorganization that should be accepted, approved and executed in the coming months," said James A. Mesterham, Chief Restructuring Officer of Farmland. "The filing of our plan is a milestone that is one of the final steps towards allowing Farmland to emerge as a strong competitor in the dairy industry." The cornerstone of the plan is an agreement that was reached between GE Commercial Finance, the lessor of a majority of Farmland's manufacturing equipment at its New Jersey and Michigan production facilities, and the Unsecured Creditors Committee. The plan calls for the satisfaction of the company's pre- petition liabilities through the issuance of cash, notes, stock and rights to pursue certain causes of action. Specifically, Farmland's unsecured creditors will receive cash, a note, and preferential rights of recovery from causes of action pursued by a litigation trust. Farmland is expected to emerge as a stand- alone entity that will be majority owned by GE Commercial Finance on behalf of the lessor group. Farmland's President Martin J. Margherio believes that the company is well positioned for the future. "We continue to be the leading supplier of high quality dairy products in the metro New York and New Jersey markets, and are strengthening our operations and refining our focus for the long-term success of the company." During the period of the bankruptcy proceedings, Farmland has developed and is implementing an operating plan to consolidate operations, reduce its production costs, and expand its product offerings in the Parmalat(TM) brand aseptic product line and our popular Farmland(TM) and Skim Plus(TM) brands. With operating locations in Wallington New Jersey, Brooklyn New York, Atlanta Georgia, and Grand Rapids Michigan, Farmland will focus its operations around its market-leading northeast dairy and national aseptic milk businesses. "We would like to thank all of our employees, customers, vendors and our farmers who have remained loyal supporters of Farmland throughout this challenging process, and have helped us re- emerge as a leader in the dairy industry," Mr. Margherio said. Headquartered in Wallington, New Jersey, Parmalat U.S.A. Corporation -- http://www.parmalatusa.com/-- generates more than EUR7 billion in annual revenue. The Parmalat Group's 40- some brand product line includes milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, cakes and cookies, breads, pizza, snack foods and vegetable sauces, soups and juices. The company employs over 36,000 workers in 139 plants located in 31 countries on six continents. It filed for chapter 11 protection on February 24, 2004 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. Case No. 04-11139). Gary Holtzer, Esq. and Marcia L. Goldstein, Esq., of Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP, represent the Debtors in their restructuring efforts. On June 30, 2003, the Debtors listed EUR2,001,818,912 in assets and EUR1,061,786,417 in debts. CONTACT: PARMALAT U.S.A. CORPORATION 520 Main Ave. Wallington, NJ 07057 Phone: 973 777 2500 Fax: 973 777 7648 Toll Free: 888 727 6252 Web site: http://www.parmalatusa.com =========== P O L A N D =========== CZESTOCHOWA STEEL: E.U. Fine to Sway Sale Price, Says Investor -------------------------------------------------------------- Potential bidders for Czestochowa Steel Mill have to include in their offer a promise to cover potential penalties for state aid received by the company. Czestochowa has asked the European Union Commission for the exact amount. A representative of the seller said: "We have sent a letter to Brussels and we are waiting for a reply." The Commission should have replied by the January 11, 2005 deadline for offers. LNM and Donbas are potential buyers. "We are still willing to return the aid. However, we need to know earlier how high the figure is," a representative of one of the investors said. He added: "According to documents which we have received, it turns out that the offer cannot be altered afterwards. The amount of the aid, which will have to be recovered, will influence the proposed price." CONTACT: HUTA CZESTOCHOWA Ul. Kucelinska 22 42-200 Czestochowa Phone: 0-34 323 12 61 to 68 E-mail: huta@hcz.com.pl Web site: http://www.hcz.com.pl ELEKTRIM SA: Vivendi Keeps Legal Ownership of PTC Shares -------------------------------------------------------- The arbitral tribunal of Vienna has rejected all the claims of T-Mobile against Elektrim Telekommunikacja (Telco) on the basis that the Tribunal has no jurisdiction over the firm. Vivendi Universal, which owns 49% of the share capital of Telco, said, the decision confirms the firm's legal ownership of the PTC shares. PTC is the mobile phone unit of a holding company controlled by Vivendi Universal, Warsaw-based Elektrim, and Deutsche Telekom. Deutsche Telecom is buying the remaining 51% it does not own in the Polish wireless operator for EUR1.3 billion (US$1.7 billion) from its partners. The European Commission has given the go-ahead signal for the takeover although negotiations are still to be completed. Elektrim is selling its telecommunications assets to pay debt and avoid a potential collapse. CONTACT: ELEKTRIM S.A. Panska 77/79 00-834 Warszawa Public relations: Ewa Bojar Company Spokesman Phone: (+48 22) 432 89 55 Fax: (+48 22) 432 87 99 E-mail: ewa_bojar@elektrim.pl Investor relations: Phone: (+48 22) 432 87 75 Fax: (+48 22) 432 87 99 Web site: http://www.elektrim.pl VIVENDI UNIVERSAL Investor Relations Paris Daniel Scolan Phone: +33 (0) 1 71 71 32 91 Laurence Daniel Phone: +33 (0) 1 71 71 12 33 or New York Eileen McLaughlin Phone: +(1) 212 572 8961 =========== R U S S I A =========== AGRO-KHIMIYA: Sets Public Auction this Week ------------------------------------------- The insolvency manager of open joint stock company Agro-Khimiya' will sell its property on Dec. 14, 2004. The starting price is RUB220,000. The list of documentary requirements is available free of charge at 152400, Russia, Yaroslavl region, Danilov, Yaroslavlskaya Str. 48b. CONTACT: AGRO-KHIMIYA 152400, Russia, Yaroslavl region, Danilov, Yaroslavlskaya Str. 48b CONCRETE-PROM-RESOURCE: Declared Insolvent ------------------------------------------ The Arbitration Court of Tyumen region has commenced bankruptcy proceedings against Concrete-Prom-Resource after finding the limited liability company insolvent. The case is docketed as A70-2512/3-04. Mr. V. Bolba has been appointed insolvency manager. Creditors may submit their proofs of claim to 625001, Russia, Tyumen-1, Post User Box 64. CONTACT: CONCRETE-PROM-RESOURCE Russia, Tyumen region, Zavodoukovsk, Ordzhonikidze Str. 1 Mr. V. Bolba Insolvency Manager 625001, Russia, Tyumen-1, Post User Box 64 DROSKOVO: Deadline for Proofs of Claim January ---------------------------------------------- The Arbitration Court of Orel region has commenced bankruptcy proceedings against Droskovo after finding the agro-firm insolvent. The case is docketed as A48-2035/04-17B. Mr. N. Zelyakov has been appointed insolvency manager. Creditors have until Jan. 12, 2005 to submit their proofs of claim to 302029, Russia, Orel, Moskovskoye Shosse, 56. CONTACT: AGRO-FIRM DROSKOVO Russia, Orel region, Pokrovskiy region, Droskovo Mr. N. Zelyakov Insolvency Manager 302029, Russia, Orel, Moskovskoye Shosse, 56 ELEKTROUGLINSKIY FACTORY: Under Bankruptcy Supervision ------------------------------------------------------ The Arbitration Court of Moscow region has commenced bankruptcy supervision procedure on close joint stock company Elektrouglinskiy Factory of Carbon Black (TIN 5031003603). The case is docketed as A41-K2-18700/04. Mr. A. Sivakov has been appointed temporary insolvency manager. Creditors have until Jan. 12, 2005 to submit their proofs of claim to 111250, Russia, Moscow, Krasnokazarmenskaya Str. 9. CONTACT: ELEKTROUGLINSKIY FACTORY OF CARBON BLACK Russia, Moscow region, Noginskiy region, Elektrougli, Zavodskaya Str. 1 Mr. A. Sivakov Temporary Insolvency Manager 111250, Russia, Moscow, Krasnokazarmenskaya Str. 9 KALININSKOYE: Gives Creditors Until January to File Claims ---------------------------------------------------------- The Arbitration Court of Saint-Petersburg and the Leningrad region has commenced bankruptcy proceedings against Kalininskoye after finding the close joint stock company insolvent. The case is docketed as A56-14530/04. Ms. U. Durneva has been appointed insolvency manager. Creditors have until Jan. 12, 2005 to submit their proofs of claim to 191119, Russia Saint-Petersburg, Post User Box, 131. CONTACT: KALININSKOYE 187683, Russia, Leningrad region, Boksitogorsk region, Anisimovo Ms. U. Durneva Insolvency Manager 191119, Russia Saint-Petersburg, Post User Box, 131 MERIT-BANK: Bankruptcy Proceedings Begin ---------------------------------------- The Arbitration Court of Moscow has commenced bankruptcy proceedings against Merit-Bank after finding the limited liability company insolvent. The case is docketed as A40- 48165/04-123-36 B. Mr. Y. Runov has been appointed insolvency manager. Creditors have until Jan. 12, 2005 to submit their proofs of claim to: (a) Insolvency Manager 107564, Russia, Moscow, Pogonnyj Proezd, 5, Building 3, Room 5a Phone/Fax: 169-81-30 (b) Merit-Bank 109004, Russia, Moscow, Bol. Kommunisticheskaya Str. 5 MISHERON-GLASS: Hires N. Solovyev as Insolvency Manager ------------------------------------------------------- The Arbitration Court of Moscow region has commenced bankruptcy proceedings against Misheron-Glass after finding the open joint stock company insolvent. The case is docketed as A41-K2- 6440/04. Mr. N. Solovyev has been appointed insolvency manager. Creditors have until Jan. 12, 2005 to submit their proofs of claim to 129337, Russia, Moscow, Yaroslavlskoye Shosse, 116, Building 1. CONTACT: MISHERON-GLASS 140722, Russia, Moscow region, Shaturskiy region, Misheronskiy, Uritskogo Str. 1 Mr. N. Solovyev Insolvency Manager 129337, Russia, Moscow, Yaroslavlskoye Shosse, 116, Building 1 NYUKSENSKIY WOOD-PROM-KHOZ: Sets Public Auction this Week --------------------------------------------------------- The bidding organizer of limited liability company Nyuksenskiy Wood-Prom-Khoz' will sell its property on Dec. 13, 2004, 11:00 a.m. The public auction will take place at Russia, Vologda, Predtechenskaya Str. 31, Office 207. Starting price: RUB995,245. The list of documentary requirements is available free of charge at Russia, Vologda, Predtechenskaya Str. 31, Office 207. To participate, bidders must deposit an amount equivalent to 5% of the starting price to the settlement account 40702810911040000017 in Veliokoustyugskiy FCB Sever-gas-bank Velikiy Ustyug of Vologda region, correspondent account 30101810500000000733, BIC 041908733, TIN 3515001995/ KPP 351501001. CONTACT: NYUKSENSKIY WOOD-PROM-KHOZ Russia, Vologda region, Nyuksenskiy ORBITA: Komi Court Appoints Insolvency Manager ---------------------------------------------- The Arbitration Court of Komi republic has commenced bankruptcy proceedings against Orbita after finding the engineering company insolvent. The case is docketed as A29-5955/04-3B. Mr. V. Sirotkin has been appointed insolvency manager. CONTACT: ORBITA Russia, Komi republic, Syktyvkar, Pechorskaya Str. 58 Mr. V. Sirotkin Insolvency Manager 167982, Russia, Komi republic, Syktyvkar, Ordzhonikidze Str. 49A, Room 316 The Arbitration Court Of Komi Republic 167982, Russia, Komi republic, Syktyvkar, Ordzhonikidze Str. 49A SIB-PROD-COM: Hires V. Bolba as Insolvency Manager -------------------------------------------------- The Arbitration Court of Tyumen region has commenced bankruptcy proceedings against Sib-Prod-Com after finding the open joint stock company insolvent. The case is docketed as A70-3048/3-04. Mr. V. Bolba has been appointed insolvency manager. Creditors may submit their proofs of to 625001, Russia, Tyumen-1, Post User Box 64. CONTACT: SIB-PROD-COM Russia, Tyumen, Voroninskiye Gorki, 101 Mr. V. Bolba Insolvency Manager 625001, Russia, Tyumen-1, Post User Box 64 TULA-MILK: Insolvency Manager to Temporarily Oversee Business ------------------------------------------------------------- The Arbitration Court of Tula region has commenced bankruptcy proceedings against Tula-Milk (TIN 7107029132) after finding the open joint stock company insolvent. The case is docketed as A68-60/B-04. Mr. A. Rostovtsev has been appointed insolvency manager. Creditors have until Dec. 12, 2004 to submit their proofs of claim to 300000, Russia, Tula, Lenina Pr., 57, office 304 B. CONTACT: TULA-MILK Russia, Tula, Oboronnaya Str. 114A Mr. A. Rostovtsev Insolvency Manager 300000, Russia, Tula, Lenina Pr. 57, Office 304 B =========== S W E D E N =========== SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES: Opens New Non-stop Routes ------------------------------------------------ On March 27, Scandinavian Airlines Sweden will launch two new direct routes from Stockholm, one to Malta and one to Split. "Our goal is to open as many international nonstop routes as possible from Arlanda," says Lennart Johansson, Marketing and Sales Manager at Scandinavian Airlines Sweden. "Split was chosen because there was extremely high demand for a direct route from both leisure travelers and charter operators. A one-way flight to Split will cost from SEK 795." The Stockholm-Malta route will be operated on Sundays and the Stockholm-Split route on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Brief facts about Scandinavian Airlines Sweden, a subsidiary of the SAS Group: Annual passengers: Approx. 6 million Fleet: 44 Employees: 2,800 Take-offs/landings: 300 daily Destinations: 44, from and within Sweden Scandinavian Airlines is now the airline that sells most low- price tickets in Sweden. * * * In the third quarter Scandinavian Airline's income after tax amounted to -SEK1,236 million (-SEK834 million), and SEK68 million (SEK699 million) for the third quarter. CONTACT: SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES Lennart Johansson, Marketing and Sales Manager Phone: +46-70-997 48 70 ============= U K R A I N E ============= DONETSKMETALURGREMONT: Court Grants Debt Moratorium --------------------------------------------------- The Economic Court of Donetsk region commenced bankruptcy supervision procedure on Donetskmetalurgremont (code EDRPOU 21972826) on August 20, 2004 and ordered a moratorium on satisfaction of creditors' claims. The case is docketed as 42/143 B. Arbitral manager Mr. Shpiner Igor (License Number AA 783102) has been appointed temporary insolvency manager. The company holds account number 26004185953001 at Privatbank, Donetsk regional branch, MFO 335496. CONTACT: DONETSKMETALURGREMONT 83062, Ukraine, Donetsk region, I. Tkachenko Str. 122 Mr. Shpiner Igor Temporary Insolvency Manager Ukraine, Donetsk region, Krasnoarmijsk, Gogol Str. 1 ECONOMIC COURT OF DONETSK REGION 83048, Ukraine, Donetsk region, Artema Str. 157 KIROVOGRADBUD: Undergoes Bankruptcy Supervision Procedure --------------------------------------------------------- The Economic Court of Kirovograd region commenced bankruptcy supervision procedure on OJSC Kirovogradbud on October 13, 2004. The case is docketed as 10/120. Arbitral manager Mrs. Olena Savonina (License Number AA 484212) has been appointed temporary insolvency manager. The company holds account number 260073489 at JSPPB Aval, MFO 323538. Creditors have until December 12, 2004 to submit their proofs of claim to: (a) KIROVOGRADBUD 25003, Ukraine, Kirovograd region, Varshavska Str. 2 (b) THE ECONOMIC COURT OF KIROVOGRAD REGION 25006, Ukraine, Kirovograd region, Lunacharski str. 29 KIROVOGRAD' QUARRY: Insolvency Manager to Temporarily Run Biz ------------------------------------------------------------- The Economic Court of Kirovograd region commenced bankruptcy supervision procedure on OJSC Kirovograd' Quarry (code EDRPOU 00292155) on September 30, 2004. The case is docketed as 9/240. Arbitral manager Mr. Zabolotnij Genadij (License Number AA 047950) has been appointed temporary insolvency manager. The company holds account number 26001301330042 at Prominvestbank, Kirovograd central branch, MFO 323475. Creditors have until December 12, 2004 to submit their proofs of claim to: (a) KIROVOGRAD' QUARRY 25028, Ukraine, Kirovograd region, Avtolubiteliv Str. 5 (b) Mr. Zabolotnij Genadij Temporary Insolvency Manager 25006, Ukraine, Kirovograd region, Lenin Str. 23 (c) THE ECONOMIC COURT OF KIROVOGRAD REGION 25006, Ukraine, Kirovograd region, Lunacharski Str. 29 KOMETA: Court Appoints Temporary Insolvency Manager --------------------------------------------------- The Economic Court of Kyiv region commenced bankruptcy supervision procedure on Kometa (code EDRPOU 21483692). The case is docketed as 24/752-b. Arbitral manager Mr. Sergij Zagorodnij (License Number AA 520104) has been appointed temporary insolvency manager. The company holds account number 26006203853001 at Ukraina, Kyiv region branch, MFO 321574. CONTACT: KOMETA 03039, Ukraine, Kyiv region, Golosiyivska Str. 7 Mr. Sergij Zagorodnij, Temporary Insolvency Manager 01030, Ukraine, Kyiv region, M. Kotsubinskij Str. 4-b, Office 2 ECONOMIC COURT OF KYIV REGION 01030, Ukraine, Kyiv region, B. Hmelnitskij Boulevard, 44-B PUBLISHERS LUGAN: Hires Oleksij Kovalyov as Insolvency Manager -------------------------------------------------------------- The Economic Court of Lugansk region commenced bankruptcy supervision procedure on OJSC Publishers Lugan (code EDRPOU 05905585) on September 21, 2004. The case is docketed as 11/69b. Arbitral manager Mr. Oleksij Kovalyov (License Number AA 5200139) has been appointed temporary insolvency manager. The company holds account number 2600706001020 at JSCB Praveks- Bank, Lugansk branch, MFO 304539. Creditors have until December 12, 2004 to submit their proofs of claim to: (a) PUBLISHERS LUGAN 91058, Ukraine, Lugansk region, Lermontov Str. 1 b (b) Mr. Oleksij Kovalyov Temporary Insolvency Manager Ukraine, Lugansk region, Osipenko Str. 8/4 (c) ECONOMIC COURT OF LUGANSK REGION 91000, Ukraine, Lugansk region, Geroiv VVV Square, 3a RADYANSKA DONETCHINA: Bankruptcy Supervision Begins --------------------------------------------------- The Economic Court of Donetsk region commenced bankruptcy supervision procedure on Agricultural LLC Radyanska Donetchina (code EDRPOU 00414457) on December 1, 2003. The case is docketed as 33/213 B. Mr. U. Gorozhankin (License Number AA 249641) has been appointed temporary insolvency manager. The company holds account number 26008528851 at CB Privatbank, MFO 335496. Creditors have until December 12, 2004 to submit their proofs of claim to: (a) RADYANSKA DONETCHINA Ukraine, Donetsk region, Starobeshivskij district, Sontsevo, Lenin Str. 53 (b) Mr. U. Gorozhankin, Temporary Insolvency Manager 83086, Ukraine, Donetsk region, Teatralnij Avenue, 28 (c) ECONOMIC COURT OF DONETSK REGION 83048, Ukraine, Donetsk region, Artema Str. 157 REINFORCED METAL: Under Bankruptcy Supervision ---------------------------------------------- The Economic Court of Kirovograd region commenced bankruptcy supervision procedure on Reinforced Metal Products Plant (code EDRPOU 05784779). The case is docketed as 9/239. Arbitral manager Mr. Svitlana Mogilan (License Number AA 419269) has been appointed temporary insolvency manager. The company holds account number 2600663460 at JSPPB Aval, Kirovograd branch, MFO 323538. Creditors had until December 12, 2004 to submit their proofs of claim to: (a) REINFORCED METAL PRODUCTS PLANT 27500, Ukraine, Kirovograd region, Svitlovodsk, Komsomolska str, 29 (b) Mr. Svitlana Mogilan Temporary Insolvency Manager Ukraine, Kirovograd region, Kropivnitskij Str. 7, body 1, 57 (c) THE ECONOMIC COURT OF KIROVOGRAD REGION 25022, Ukraine, Kirovograd region, Lunacharski str. 29 SEZAM: Succumbs to Insolvency ----------------------------- The Economic Court of Kyiv region commenced bankruptcy proceedings against Sezam (code EDRPOU 24742479) on October 12, 2004 after finding the limited liability company insolvent. The case is docketed as 15/9-b. Mr. Petro Shnit (License Number AA 783238 of June 16, 2004) has been appointed liquidator/insolvency manager. The company holds account number 2600931684 at JSB Pivdennij, Kyiv region branch, MFO 320917. CONTACT: Mr. Petro Shnit Liquidator/Insolvency Manager Phone: 572-69-92 ECONOMIC COURT OF KYIV REGION 01030, Ukraine, Kyiv region, B. Hmelnitskij Boulevard, 44-B STAHANOVSHLYAHBUD: Calls in Liquidator -------------------------------------- The Economic Court of Lugansk region commenced bankruptcy proceedings against Stahanovshlyahbud (code EDRPOU 03329485) on September 2, 2004 after finding the close joint stock company insolvent. The case is docketed as 10/19b. Arbitral manager Mr. Roman Rachok (License Number AA 520132) has been appointed liquidator/insolvency manager. The company holds account number 26001590619531 at Ukrsocbank, Alchevsk branch, MFO 304052. CONTACT: STAHANOVSHLYAHBUD Ukraine, Lugansk region, Stahanov, B. Hmelnitskij Str. 31A Mr. Roman Rachok Liquidator/Insolvency Manager 91033, Ukraine, Lugansk region, Oborona Str. 24 ECONOMIC COURT OF LUGANSK REGION 91000, Ukraine, Lugansk region, Geroiv VVV Square, 3a UKRMETALURGCOMPLEX: Bankruptcy Supervision Begins ------------------------------------------------- The Economic Court of Dnipropetrovsk region commenced bankruptcy supervision procedure on CJSC Ukrmetalurgcomplex (code EDRPOU 24600638) on November 4, 2004. The case is docketed as B15/119/04. Arbitral manager Mr. Sergij Sidko (License Number AA 419257) has been appointed temporary insolvency manager. The company holds account number 2600430106901 at JSB Credit-Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk branch, MFO 305749. Creditors have until December 12, 2004 to submit their proofs of claim to: (a) UKRMETALURGCOMPLEX 49000, Ukraine, Dnipropetrovsk region, Lenin Str. (b) Mr. Sergij Sidko Temporary Insolvency Manager 49600, Ukraine, Dnipropetrovsk region, Dzerzhinskij Str. 29/40 (c) ECONOMIC COURT OF DNIPROPETROVSK REGION 49600, Ukraine, Dnipropetrovsk region, Kujbishev Str. 1a =========================== U N I T E D K I N G D O M =========================== 22 22 MEDIA: Members Pass Winding up Resolutions ------------------------------------------------ At the extraordinary general meeting of the members of the 22 22 Media Limited on Nov. 30, 2004 held at 25 Harley Street, London W1G 9BR, the extraordinary and ordinary resolutions to wind up the company were passed. Bernard Hoffman and Ian Yerrill of 25 Harley Street, London W1G 9BR have been appointed joint liquidators of the company for the purpose of its voluntary winding-up. AC PROMOTIONS: Names BWC Business Solutions Liquidator ------------------------------------------------------ At the extraordinary general meeting of the members of the AC Promotions Limited on Nov. 29, 2004 held at BWC Business Solutions Limited, 8 Park Place, Leeds LS1 2RU, the extraordinary and ordinary resolutions to wind up the company were passed. Gary Edgar Blackburn and David Leighton Cockshott of the firm of BWC Business Solutions, 8 Park Place, Leeds LS1 2RU have been appointed liquidators for the purpose of the winding-up. CONTACT: BWC BUSINESS SOLUTIONS 8 Park Place, Leeds LS1 2RU ARTHUR COOPER: Special Winding up Resolutions Passed ---------------------------------------------------- Name of companies: Arthur Cooper (Wine Merchant) Limited A. Toursier & Co. Limited Bodegas Lagunilla Limited Clode Baker & Wyld Limited Dolman & Welch Limited Gilbeys Wine & Spirit Merchants Limited IDV (Reserve 23) Limited Leverett & Frye Limited Morgan Brothers (London) Limited Osborne & Son Limited At the extraordinary general meeting of the members of these companies on Nov. 9, 2004 held at 8 Henrietta Place, London W1G 0NB, the special resolutions to wind up the companies were passed. John Anthony Dickinson and Steven Leslie Smith, Mercer & Hole, International Press Centre, 76 Shoe Lane, London EC4A 3JB have been appointed liquidators for the purposes of such windings-up. CONTACT: MERCER & HOLE International Press Centre, 76 Shoe Lane, London EC4A 3JB BELFAST EUROPA: Calls in Liquidators from Mercer & Hole ------------------------------------------------------- Name of companies: Belfast Europa Limited Green Giant Foods Limited John B. Wilson & Sons limited Oak In The Wood Limited Pearle Holdings (UK) Limited Pearle Vision Center Limited Roberts (Hotels) Limited Rosenhof Limited United Vintners Limited The Wine Traders Consortium Limited At the extraordinary general meeting of the members of these companies on Nov. 9, 2004 held at 8 Henrietta Place, London W1G 0NB, the special resolution to wind up the companies were passed. John Anthony Dickinson and Steven Leslie Smith, Mercer & Hole, International Press Centre, 76 Shoe Lane, London EC4A 3JB have been appointed liquidators for the purpose of such windings-up. CONTACT: MERCER & HOLE International Press Centre, 76 Shoe Lane, London EC4A 3JB BRIGHTON GRAND: Hires Liquidators from Mercer & Hole ---------------------------------------------------- Name of companies: Brighton Grand Hotel Company Limited John Dowland Limited Roberts & Cooper Limited Roberts & Sons (Caterers) Limited Roberts & Sons (Worthing) Limited R. Rowson & Sons Limited Spiers & Pond Limited Vinicola Ribalonga Limited W. A. Ross & Brother Limited Wines Of Greece Limited At the extraordinary general meeting of the members of these companies on Nov. 9, 2004 held at 8 Henrietta Place, London W1G 0NB, the special resolution to wind up the companies were passed. John Anthony Dickinson and Steven Leslie Smith of Mercer & Hole, International Press Centre, 76 Shoe Lane, London EC4A 3JB have been appointed liquidators for the purpose of such windings-up. CONTACT: MERCER & HOLE International Press Centre, 76 Shoe Lane, London EC4A 3JB COOPER & ROE: To Axe Up to 320 Employees ---------------------------------------- Knitwear company Cooper & Roe is streamlining its operations due to market difficulties. It will close one of its plants in Abbeyfield Road, Nothingham with the loss of 64 jobs. In Kirkby Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, it will cut down 280 of its 320 workers. The firm said in a statement: it regretted the job losses but that "against a difficult and competitive trading background there is a lack of viable business to support the units at their current capacity." Cooper is currently in talks with trade union representatives regarding the plan. CONTACT: COOPER & ROE Kirkby Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, NG17 1GZ Phone: 01623 441122 GLOW COMMUNICATIONS: Hires Antony Batty as Administrator -------------------------------------------------------- William Antony Batty (IP No 1049) has been appointed administrator for Glow Communications Plc. The appointment was made Nov. 15, 2004. The company's registered office is located at New House, Suite 24, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JY. CONTACT: ANTONY BATTY & CO. New House, Suite 24, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JY ICE SYSTEMS: Brings in Administrator from Geoffrey Martin & Co. --------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen Goderski (IP No 8731) and Geoffrey Martin (IP No 2207) have been appointed administrators for Ice Systems Limited. The appointment was made Nov. 19, 2004. The company is engaged in software consultancy and supply. Its registered office is located at Geoffrey Martin & Co, 8-12 Brook Street, London W1K 5BU. CONTACT: GEOFFREY MARTIN & CO. 8-12 Brook Street, London W1K 5BU GEOFFREY MARTIN & CO. St James's House, 28 Park Place, Leeds LS1 2SP IRONMAN LIMITED: Clothing Company Calls in Administrator -------------------------------------------------------- Zafar Iqbal (IP No 6578) has been appointed administrator for Ironman Limited. The appointment was made Nov. 23, 2004. The company designs and manufactures clothing. Its registered office is located at Paul Anthony House, 724 Holloway Road, London N19 3JD. CONTACT: Kirkdale House, Kirkdale Road, London E11 1HP JARVIS PLC: Faces Possible Legal Action Over PFI Deal ----------------------------------------------------- The Richmond council in southwest London may use the law to ensure the timely completion of construction work for one of its school, according to the Financial Times. The council would not name the target of a possible lawsuit, but Jarvis is the main contractor and creator of the special purpose vehicle that runs the project, according to the Financial Times. Geoffrey Samuel, the deputy leader of the council, said: "We have asked our lawyers to advise us on action to be taken to ensure the contract is complied with." The support services group has a contract with the council to refurbish a school. The project is the last to be completed under its GBP80 million private finance initiative project, which began in 2002. Under the deal, Jarvis is to renovate and manage six primary schools. The contract with Richmond council is one of its 14 contracts. Mr. Samuel mentioned the intermittent work at the Trafalgar school. According to the report, other local authorities also experienced delays and in some cases cessation of work. Jarvis is beset with cash flow difficulties that constrain its ability to pay subcontractors. Last week, the company warned it needed to secure extra financing to stay afloat. It sold and leased out property, raising GBP25 million. Jarvis said on Wednesday: "No legal proceedings have been issued against the SPV and we are not prepared to comment on speculation. We are working as hard as we can to deliver everything" CONTACT: JARVIS PLC Lisa Carine Phone: + 44 20 7462 4646 TULCHAN COMMUNICATIONS David Trenchard Phone: + 44 20 7353 4200 MARCONI CORPORATION: Named Preferred Bidder for SCADA Project ------------------------------------------------------------- Marconi Corporation plc's (London: MONI and NASDAQ: MRCIY) Transportation group, part of Marconi Value Added Services (VAS) business, has been selected by Tube Lines, a public-private partnership responsible for the maintenance and upgrade of the London Underground infrastructure on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, as its preferred bidder for the Communications and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) Integrated Whole Life Contract. Under this contract, Marconi will supply, support and maintain the communications infrastructure for the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Lines until 2018. Working in partnership with Amey Infrastructure Services, a division of Amey plc, the leading provider of support services, Marconi will be responsible for upgrading and maintaining the communications infrastructure on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Lines. This includes the public address system, CCTV and security systems, customer help points and visual information displays as well as a central management system, which will monitor all station assets such as lifts and ventilation. Marconi and Tube Lines have signed a Heads of Terms and are working towards signing a final contract in early 2005. Work has already commenced on the project, with Marconi mobilizing to commence the communications upgrade on eight stations on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Lines. About Tube Lines Tube Lines is responsible for the maintenance and upgrade of the infrastructure on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines. London Underground is responsible for operating the Underground, for employing drivers and station staff, for ticketing and fares, and for the Tube's safety regime. The Tube Lines consortium consists of Amey, Bechtel and Jarvis, and brings together some of the most experienced providers of business services with specialist skills in the rail industry, including track and signal renewals, plus project and operational management. They are providing some of the best project and operational managers from around the world to work on the modernization of the Tube system. About Amey Amey is a leading provider of integrated business and infrastructure services to the public and private sector and is working closely with central and local government to develop major projects including PFI and PPP projects, in the education, health, transport and defense sectors. Services range from managing large scale transportation infrastructure to delivering professional and back office services, all of which are underpinned by leading-edge technology and a genuine partnering philosophy. Amey Infrastructure Services Limited is the operating division that will work in partnership with Marconi to carry out the Communications and SCADA program of work for Tube Lines. Amey Infrastructure Services (AIS) is the newly formed business division of Amey PLC that will focus on providing comprehensive end-to-end service solutions, on a national basis, to a wide range of infrastructure clients. AIS brings together the strengths and capabilities of the well- established and successful Amey Highways, Amey Rail and Amey Fleet Services businesses into a single integrated organization. The new organization is structured to deliver services through four business streams: Professional Services, Strategic Highways, Rail, Local Government. The AIS Professional Services business stream provides specialist technical and consultancy services from across Amey to deliver solutions that support Intelligent Transport Systems, Whole Life Asset Management and Environment and Safety. Projects include the provision of real-time passenger information for UTMC projects and rail customer information systems, including 176 stations for South West Trains. About Marconi Transportation Marconi Transportation, part of Marconi Corporation plc's Value Added Services business, is an integrated communications business with over 30 years of transportation experience. Its professional staff is currently delivering a number of high profile communications projects that continue to set standards in the Rail, Road and Air industries. Its consultants and design engineers are committed to delivering tailored solutions based on complex network integration, high performance service provision and best of breed products. Its customer services division is committed to providing the best possible support for our customers' systems and networks on a 24x7x365 basis. About Marconi Corporation plc Marconi Corporation plc is a global telecommunications equipment, services and solutions company. The company's core business is the provision of innovative and reliable optical networks, broadband routing and switching and broadband access technologies and services. The company's customer base includes many of the world's largest telecommunications operators. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol MONI and on NASDAQ under the ticker MRCIY. Additional information about Marconi Corporation can be found at http://www.marconi.com. CONTACT: MARCONI CORPORATION PLC Patrick Murphy Phone: +44 115 906 4151 E-mail: patrick.murphy@marconi.com Investor enquiries: Karen Keyes Phone: +44 207 306 1345 E-mail: karen.keyes@marconi.com Industry analyst enquiries: Skip MacAskill Phone: +44 2476 56 3705 E-mail: skip.macaskill@marconi.com PENHURST (HAMLET): Hires Baker Tilly as Liquidator -------------------------------------------------- At the extraordinary general meeting of the Penhurst (Hamlet) Limited on Nov. 5, 2004 held at 50 Broadway, Westminster, London SW1H 0BL, the subjoined special resolutions to wind up the company were passed. Andrew White of Baker Tilly, International House, Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XE has been appointed joint liquidator for the purpose of such winding-up. CONTACT: BAKER TILLY International House, Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XE Phone: 01273 223400 Fax: 01273 223401 Web site: http://www.bakertilly.co.uk PNEUMATIC HYDRAULIC: Special Winding up Resolution Passed --------------------------------------------------------- At the extraordinary general meeting of the members of Pneumatic Hydraulic Development Ltd. on Nov. 22, 2004 held at 9009 Clubridge Drive, Fort Wayne, IN USA, the special resolution to wind up the company was passed. Peter John Godfrey-Evans of Mercer & Hole, Silbury Court, 420 Silbury Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes has been appointed liquidator for the purpose of such winding-up. CONTACT: MERCER & HOLE Silbury Court, 420 Silbury Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes PREMIER FOODS: Buys Kraft Food Brands for GBP70 Million ------------------------------------------------------- Premier Foods plc, one of the leading suppliers of ambient grocery products in the U.K., agreed to acquire the category leading Bird's Custard, Angel Delight and associated brands from Kraft Foods Inc. for GBP70 million. The consideration will be funded from existing unutilized bank debt facilities. Bird's Custard, Angel Delight and other associated brands are complementary to Premier's existing desserts business, which includes Ambrosia custard and milk puddings and Rowntree's jelly, and will broaden Premier's range of household names in the ambient grocery sector including Branston, Loyd Grossman, Typhoo, Crosse & Blackwell, HP, Hartley's, Gale's and Sun-Pat. In the year ended 14 December 2003 sales for the brands being acquired were GBP37 million with profit before central administrative costs of GBP9.9 million. Net assets at the time of completion are expected to be GBP5 million. Premier is acquiring the brand rights, associated intellectual property, stock and packaging machinery. Production and packing will be integrated into Premier's existing manufacturing facility at Knighton in Staffordshire during 2005. Premier expects to incur capital expenditure of approximately GBP5 million on upgrading the facility to accommodate the business. Premier expects the acquisition to generate cost savings and other synergistic benefits once completed in February 2005 of approximately GBP1 million. The deal will be earnings enhancing and is expected to achieve a return on invested capital that is greater than its weighted average cost of capital in the first full year of ownership. This acquisition is Premier's first since its IPO in July 2004 and is consistent with Premier's stated strategy of acquiring great British brands with leading market positions that will further exploit the company's marketing skills, strong retailer relationships and manufacturing base. Robert Schofield, CEO of Premier Foods plc, said: "The Bird's business with its high brand recognition is a perfect fit with our Ambrosia and other desserts brands. It will extend our product range in the desserts category and enhance our position as one of the U.K.'s leading suppliers of ambient grocery products. "The acquisition is expected to be earnings and margin enhancing in the first full year of ownership and meets the acquisition criteria we outlined at the time of our IPO." The transaction is subject to the approval of the board of Altria Inc. (Kraft's parent company) and is expected to complete during February 2005. The Bird's dessert business being acquired comprises 17 branded and out of home ('OOH') products including Bird's custard powder (2 varieties), Bird's instant custard (5 varieties), Bird's ready to eat (RTE) ambient custard (5 varieties), Bird's RTE chilled custard (2 varieties), Angel Delight (11 varieties), Bird's trifle/Dream Topping (7 varieties), Bird's Christmas sauces (4 varieties), Bird's semolina and Bird's sugar free jelly (4 varieties). Bird's is a leading custard brand in the U.K. accounting for 45% of total pints of custard consumed in the country and an 85% value share of powder custards. Angel Delight is the number one player in the U.K. instant cold desserts sector with a 40% share.* Bird's is one of the U.K.'s oldest packaged grocery brands, with its original launch in 1837. Landmark campaigns, such as the creation of the 'Three Birds' trademark in the 1920s have helped build the profile of the brand over time. Bird's was acquired by General Foods in 1947 and has been part of Kraft since 1989. The Bird's dessert business contains a number of iconic brands in the U.K. food retail industry including Bird's custard and Angel Delight instant cold dessert. Bird's has been the leading powdered desserts brand since Alfred Bird invented custard powder in 1837 and according to a food and drink research survey in 2000, the Birds brand was recognized by 99% of U.K. customers. Premier Foods plc is a leading U.K. manufacturer and marketer of shelf-stable or 'ambient' grocery products and one of the largest suppliers of grocery products in the United Kingdom. Premier manufactures and markets grocery products for the retail grocery and out of home channels in three principal product segments: convenience foods, pickles and sauces; tea and beverages; and spreads and desserts. Premier also operates a potato packing and marketing business in the United Kingdom, supplying the retail grocery, OOH and food manufacturing channels. Premier's branded products include Ambrosia custard and milk puddings, Branston pickles, Typhoo tea, Hartley's preserves, Gale's honey and lemon curd, Crosse & Blackwell convenience foods, Sun-Pat peanut butter, Sarsons vinegar, Haywards pickles, Smash instant mashed potato, Marvel powdered milk creamer and Waistline salad dressings, soups and cooking sauces. In addition, the Company produces Cadbury cocoa-based beverages, HP convenience foods, Rowntree's jelly and Loyd Grossman cooking sauces, soups and salad dressings under agreement or license. Premier also produces a range of retailer brand products, principally for the major multiple retailers. Premier Foods was floated on the London Stock Exchange in July 2004 when Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst sold 80% of its investment in Premier. In October 2004 Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst sold their remaining 20% holding. Premier's current market capitalization is GBP605 million (at market close on 8 December 2004). * * * Standard & Poor's Ratings Services previously rated Premier Food's long-term corporate credit rating 'BB'. CONTACT: PREMIER FOODS PLC Phone: 01727 815 850 Robert Schofield, Chief Executive Paul Thomas, Finance Director Citigate Dewe Rogerson Phone: 020 7638 9571 Michael Berkeley Sara Batchelor Anthony Kennaway PREMIER FOODS: Buying Kraft's U.K. Desserts Biz for US$135 Mln -------------------------------------------------------------- Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE:KFT), a global leader in branded food and beverages, has reached an agreement to sell its U.K. desserts business to Premier Foods plc, a leading U.K.-based supplier of ambient grocery products for US$135 million. The proposed sale includes the Bird's, Angel Delight and Dream Topping brands, which generated 2003 annual revenues of US$72 million. The transaction, which is subject to required approvals, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2005 following completion of necessary employee consultation requirements. "As we continue to transform our portfolio as part of our Sustainable Growth Plan, we are focusing on larger-scale businesses where we can achieve sustainable competitive advantage," said Thibaud de Saint-Quentin, Vice President and Area Director of Kraft's U.K. & Ireland businesses. "The desserts business, which is geographically concentrated in the U.K. and Irish markets, is better aligned with a manufacturer such as Premier Foods that has a strategic focus on the desserts category." Following completion of the sale, desserts production will transfer within a period of 12 months from Kraft's manufacturing facility in Banbury, U.K. to Premier. Approximately 120 employees at the Banbury plant will be affected by the sale. The company will be discussing with employees and their union representatives ways to support those affected by the announcement as part of the consultation process, including offering fair severance packages, where applicable, to affected employees. Kraft's soluble coffee operations at the Banbury plant are unaffected by the proposed sale. Kraft Foods markets many of the world's leading food brands, including Kraft cheese, Jacobs and Maxwell House coffees, Nabisco cookies and crackers, Philadelphia cheese, Oscar Mayer meats, Post cereals and Milka chocolates, in more than 150 countries. In the U.K., the company's brands include Terry's Chocolate Orange, Terry's All Gold and Toblerone chocolates, Kenco and Maxwell House coffees, Philadelphia cheeses and Dairylea snacks as well as Kraft salad dressings. For more information, visit http://www.kraft.com. CONTACT: KRAFT FOODS INC. Joanna Scott Phone: 44 1242 284498 (Media) E-mail: jscott@krafteurope.com Mark Magnesen Phone: 847-646-3194 (Investor Relations) E-mail: mmagnesen@kraft.com Richard Johnson Phone: 44 208 5802581 (Media) E-mail: rjohnson@krafteurope.com QDOS INDUSTRIES: HSBC Bank Appoints P&A Partnership Receiver ------------------------------------------------------------ HSBC Bank Plc called in Philip Andrew Revill and Brian Stanley Creber joint administrative receivers for QDOS Industries Limited (Reg No 03585234). The application was filed Nov. 17, 2004. CONTACT: THE P&A PARTNERSHIP 93 Queen Street Sheffield S1 1WF Phone: (0114) 275 5033 Fax: (0114) 276 8556 E-mail: info@poppletonappleby.co.uk Web site: http://www.thepandapartnership.com REGIS (NATIONWIDE FINN HOUSE): Calls in Liquidator from Begbies --------------------------------------------------------------- At the extraordinary general meeting of the Regis (Nationwide Finn House) Holdings Limited on Nov. 19, 2004 held at Regis Group PLC, Warrior Square, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 2WS, the subjoined special resolutions to wind up the company were passed. Lloyd Biscoe of Begbies Traynor, The Old Exchange, 234 Southchurch Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 2EG has been appointed liquidator for the purpose of such winding-up. CONTACT: BEGBIES TRAYNOR The Old Exchange 234 Southchurch Road Southend-on-Sea SS1 2EG Phone: 01702 467255 Fax: 01702 467201 E-mail: southend@begbies-traynor.com Web site: http://www.begbies.com SCOTT ASSOCIATES: Hires Administrators from Bridgers ---------------------------------------------------- John Arthur Kirkpatrick and Peter John Bridger (IP Nos 2230, 7827) have been appointed administrators for Scott Associates (Newbury) Ltd. The appointment was made Nov. 15, 2004. The company wholesales and retails furniture. Its registered office is located at 47 London Street, Reading, Berkshire. CONTACT: BRIDGERS 47 London Street, Reading, Berkshire RG1 4PS THE FRUIT: Names Shaw and Brook Administrators ---------------------------------------------- Martin A. Shaw and Charles M. Brook have been appointed administrators for The Fruit Warehouse Limited. The appointment was made Nov. 15, 2004. The company wholesales fruit and vegetables. Its registered office is located at 100 Wakefield Road, Lepton, Huddersfield HD8 0DL. CONTACT: 100 Wakefield Road, Lepton, Huddersfield HD8 0DL THORNTONS PLC: Appoints New Finance Director -------------------------------------------- The Board of Thorntons plc announce the appointment of John Wall as Finance Director with immediate effect. Mr. Wall has been acting as interim Finance Director since 14 October 2004. Prior to joining Thorntons, Mr. Wall, age 55, had, for four years, carried out a number of interim FD appointments. Between 1992 and 2000 he was Group Finance Director of Lee Cooper Group, a quoted jeans and casual clothing manufacturer. From 1977-1991 he worked for the Thomas & Betts Corporation, a then U.S. Fortune 500 international manufacturer of electrical and electronic products, latterly as Controller of the European Division. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG in 1977. Christopher Burnett, Executive Chairman of Thorntons plc said "The Board is delighted to welcome John Wall to the business. He has already begun to make a valuable contribution as a member of the executive team, to which he brings a wealth of experience." CONTACT: THORNTONS PLC Christopher Burnett, Executive Chairman Phone: 01773 540550 Peter Burdon, Chief Executive Phone: 01773 540550 BUCHANAN COMMUNICATIONS Charles Ryland/Nicola Cronk Phone: 020 7466 5000 TTH HOLDINGS: Hires Administrators from Kroll Limited ----------------------------------------------------- C. P. Holder and S. C. E. Mackellar (IP Nos 9093, 6883) have been appointed administrators for TTH Holdings Limited. The appointment was made Nov. 19, 2004. The company is engaged in precision engineering. CONTACT: KROLL LIMITED 5th Floor, Airedale House, 77 Albion Street, Leeds LS1 5AP ********* S U B S C R I P T I O N I N F O R M A T I O N Troubled Company Reporter -- Europe is a daily newsletter co- published by Bankruptcy Creditors' Service, Inc., Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, USA, and Beard Group, Inc., Frederick, Maryland USA. Larri-Nil Veloso, Ma. Cristina Canson, Liv Arcipe, and Julybien Atadero, Editors. Copyright 2004. All rights reserved. ISSN 1529-2754. This material is copyrighted and any commercial use, resale or publication in any form (including e-mail forwarding, electronic re-mailing and photocopying) is strictly prohibited without prior written permission of the publishers. Information contained herein is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed. The TCR Europe subscription rate is US$575 per half-year, delivered via e-mail. Additional e-mail subscriptions for members of the same firm for the term of the initial subscription or balance thereof are US$25 each. For subscription information, contact Christopher Beard at 240/629-3300. * * * End of Transmission * * *