/raid1/www/Hosts/bankrupt/TCREUR_Public/071031.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
Wednesday, October 31, 2007, Vol. 8, No. 216
Headlines
A U S T R I A
ANDREAS NOESSLBOECK: Linz Court Orders Business Shutdown
EV GEWERBEIMMOBILIENVERMITTLUNGS: Claims Filing Ends Nov. 21
GLB-ANLAGENTECHNIK: Claims Registration Period Ends Nov. 27
HOFKNEIPE LLC: Linz Court Orders Business Shutdown
KG BOCK: Claims Registration Period Ends Nov. 5
VOSEK LLC: Vienna Court Orders Business Shutdown
WHISKYMUEHLE GASTRONOMIE: Creditors' Meeting Slated for Nov. 14
B E L G I U M
LYONDELL CHEMICAL: Earns US$206 Million for Third Quarter 2007
METHANEX CORP: Earns US$23.61 Mil. in Third Qtr. Ended Sept. 30
TELENET BIDCO: Moody's Rates EUR2.3 Bln Sr. Sec. Facility at B1
F R A N C E
BALL CORP: Reports US$60.9 Million Third Quarter Earnings
HARMAN INT'L: Earns US$36.5 Mln in 1st Quarter Ended Sept. 30
RHODIA SA: Halts Paracetamol Activities at Roussillon Site
G E R M A N Y
ARCUS HAUSHALTWARE: Claims Registration Period Ends Nov. 15
BAVARIA SPORT: Creditors' Meeting Slated for Nov. 27
BICO BERATUNGS: Claims Registration Ends Nov. 20
BLANK + DOHMEN: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 4
BOERNER GMBH: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 6
BURBAT BAU: Claims Registration Period Ends December 5
CAPITOL-BETTING: Creditors' Meeting Slated for Dec. 4
EXPRESS DIENSTLEISTUNGS: Claims Registration Period Ends Nov. 14
GALIDAD TAPAS: Claims Registration Period Ends December 27
HANKOOK HANDELS: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 10
HANS DECKSTEIN: Claims Registration Ends Nov. 20
IDEAL BAU: Claims Registration Period Ends November 6
KME METALLBAU: Claims Registration Period Ends December 14
LS-BAUUNTERNEHMUNG GMBH: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 23
LUISENHOF CATERING: Creditors' Meeting Slated for Nov. 28
MONTERRA IMMOBILIENVERWALTUNGS: Claims Registration Ends Jan. 2
NIMTECH VERTRIEBSGES: Claims Registration Period Ends Nov. 19
PHOENIX KAPITALDIENST Insolvency Administrator Faces Ouster
RAINERS PFLANZENPARADIES: Claims Filing Period Ends Nov. 13
REAL ESTATE: Claims Registration Period Ends November 13
SHINOVA GMBH: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 25
SICHTWERBUNG W. STENDEL: Claims Registration Ends Nov. 22
SK-SCHLAFKULTUR: Creditors' Meeting Slated for November 16
I R E L A N D
ELAN CORP: Posts US$87.4 Million Net Loss in 3rd Quarter
K A Z A K H S T A N
ADIL & HAN: Creditors Must File Claims by December 1
ALAMAN KURYLYS: Creditors Must File Claims by December 1
CARAVELLA PLUS: Claims Filing Period Ends November 28
CHAPAYEV GAZIFICATSIYA: Creditors' Claims Due by November 28
ELMO-SERVICE LLP: Claims Registration Period Ends November 28
HUNTNET LLP: Creditors Must File Claims by November 28
KAZBUILD-2006 LLP: Creditors Must File Claims by November 28
KAZINVESTBANK: Moody's Assigns B2/NP/E+ Global Scale Ratings
KVARTS & KK: Claims Filing Period Ends December 1
RUSTEM LLP: Creditors Must File Claims by November 28
SET STROITELNYH: Claims Registration Ends November 28
K Y R G Y Z S T A N
TECHNOFOND LLC: Creditors Must File Claims by November 28
TELENET LLC: Creditors Must File Claims by December 1
L U X E M B O U R G
AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES: Prices US$600 Mln of Senior Notes Offering
P O R T U G A L
BEARINGPOINT: Bags US$50-MM Deal for Motor Vehicle Tech Project
R U S S I A
ASHINSKIJ LIGHTING: Auction of Stock Slated for November 23
DRILLING-AND-BLASTING: Bankruptcy Hearing Slated for Dec. 18
KRUTOYARSKOYE CJSC: Competitive Proceedings Ongoing
MOROZOVSKIJ CJSC: Court Starts External Bankruptcy Procedure
MOSTOSTROITEL' OJSC: Bankruptcy Hearing Slated for Jan. 18
SIBFORESTEXPORT LLC: Creditors Must File Claims by Dec. 20
SP ZLATOUSTOVSKOYE: Court Names I.V. Marchevskaya as Liquidator
SULINSTROYMATERIALS LLC: Asset Sale Slated for November 21
TURN-KEY SURGUTOILGASSTROY: Asset Sale Slated for November 27
WATER TREATMENT: Creditors Must File Claims by Dec. 20
YUZHURALENERGOSTROY OJSC: Asset Sale Slated for November 19
S P A I N
CODERE SA: S&P Affirms 'B' Senior Unsecured Debt Rating
S W E D E N
FORD MOTOR: UAW Talks Intensifies After Chrysler Ratifies Pact
S W I T Z E R L A N D
ACUROB INVESTMENT: Appenzell Court Starts Bankruptcy Proceedings
ALBACH & CO: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by November 5
H. & W. NYDEGGER: Basel-Stadt Court Closes Bankruptcy Process
MARGRIT FIERZ: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by November 5
NEWCO COMMODITIES: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by Nov. 5
NEWCO TRADING: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by Nov. 5
SKANDINAVISKA METMO: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by Nov. 5
SUTER OPTIK: Zurich Court Closes Bankruptcy Proceeding
TRIGON ENERGIETECHNIKM: Arlesheim Court Starts Bankruptcy
WELA HOLDING: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by November 5
U N I T E D K I N G D O M
ACM SCAFFOLDING: M. C. Bowker Leads Liquidation Procedure
BASINGSTOKE PRESS: Taps Liquidators from UHY Hacker Young
BAUSCH & LOMB: Moody's Confirms and Will Withdraw Ba1 Ratings
B L GROUP: Administrators Sell Business to Langley Holdings
BUSINESS MORTGAGE 7: Moody's Rates Three Note Classes at Ba1
COMCO COMBUSTION: Calls In Liquidators from Mazars
COTT CORP: Posts US$5.8 Mil. Net Loss in Quarter Ended Sept. 29
HUNSLET-BARCLAY: Brings In Administrators from KPMG
KIRBY CITY: Names Ian Mark Defty as Liquidator
MELLADAY LTD: Appoints J. M. Titley as Liquidator
NEXT CIVIL: Brings In Liquidators from BDO Stoy Hayward
POPE & TALBOT: Files for Protection Under CCAA
POPE & TALBOT: Moody's Cuts Corporate Family Rating to Ca
PURE HOLIDAYS: Hires Liquidators from Baker Tilly Restructuring
PROMINENT CMBS: Fitch Affirms Class E Notes' Rating at BB
REGENT STREET: Taps M. C. Bowker to Liquidate Assets
RESLOC UK: S&P Affirms Class F1b Notes' Rating at B
SCO GROUP: Court OKs US$36 Mln Sale of Unix to JGD Management
TOTAL SPARES: Calls In Liquidator from Kingston Smith & Partners
TWISTED TOYS: Appoints Liquidators from Mazars
YSB RECYCLING: Taps Liquidator from Tenon Recovery
*********
=============
A U S T R I A
=============
ANDREAS NOESSLBOECK: Linz Court Orders Business Shutdown
--------------------------------------------------------
The Land Court of Linz entered on Sept. 21 an order shutting
down the business of LLC Andreas Noesslboeck (FN 55015f).
Court-appointed estate administrator Thomas Kurz recommended the
business shutdown after determining that the continuing
operations would reduce the value of the estate.
The estate administrator can be reached at:
Mag. Thomas Kurz
Roseggerstrasse 58
4020 Linz
Austria
Tel: 78 43 31-0
Fax: 78 43 31-57
E-mail: manuela.winkelmayr@haslinger-nagele.com
Headquartered in Rohrbach, Austria, the Debtor declared
bankruptcy on Sept. 18 (Bankr. Case No 12 S 76/07z).
EV GEWERBEIMMOBILIENVERMITTLUNGS: Claims Filing Ends Nov. 21
------------------------------------------------------------
Creditors owed money by LLC EV Gewerbeimmobilienvermittlungs (FN
252176y) have until Nov. 21 to file written proofs of claim to
court-appointed estate administrator Karl F. Engelhart at:
Dr. Karl F. Engelhart
c/o Dr. Thomas Engelhart
Esteplatz 4
1030 Vienna
Austria
Tel: 712 33 30-0
Fax: 712 33 30-30
E-mail: kanzlei@engelhart.at
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the creditors' meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 5 for the
examination of claims.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The Trade Court of Vienna
Room 1707
Vienna
Austria
Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, the Debtor declared bankruptcy
on Sept. 27 (Bankr. Case No. 2 S 129/07v). Thomas Engelhart
represents Dr. Engelhart in the bankruptcy proceedings.
GLB-ANLAGENTECHNIK: Claims Registration Period Ends Nov. 27
-----------------------------------------------------------
Creditors owed money by LLC GLB-Anlagentechnik (FN 232687m) have
until Nov. 27 to file written proofs of claim to court-appointed
estate administrator Erhard Hackl at:
Dr. Erhard Hackl
c/o Mag. Markus Weixlbaumer
Hofgasse 7
4020 Linz
Austria
Tel: 0732/776234
E-mail: hackl.hatak@aon.at
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the creditors' meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 11 for the
examination of claims.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The Land Court of Steyr
Hall 7
Second Floor
Steyr
Austria
Headquartered in Steyr, Austria, the Debtor declared bankruptcy
on Sept. 26 (Bankr. Case No. 14 S 35/07f). Markus Weixlbaumer
represents Dr. Hackl in the bankruptcy proceedings.
HOFKNEIPE LLC: Linz Court Orders Business Shutdown
--------------------------------------------------
The Land Court of Linz entered on Sept. 27 an order shutting
down the business of LLC HOFKNEIPE (FN 145076y).
Court-appointed estate administrator Christopher Schuster
recommended the business shutdown after determining that the
continuing operations would reduce the value of the estate.
The estate administrator can be reached at:
Mag. Christopher Schuster
Fabrikstrasse 3
4020 Linz
Austria
Tel: 0732/773333-0
Fax: 0732/773333-44
E-mail: ra-schuster@aon.at
Headquartered in Linz, Austria, the Debtor declared bankruptcy
on Sept. 18 (Bankr. Case No 38 S 49/07w).
KG BOCK: Claims Registration Period Ends Nov. 5
-----------------------------------------------
Creditors owed money by KG Bock (FN 238532h) have until Nov. 5
to file written proofs of claim to court-appointed estate
administrator Martina Withoff at:
Dr. Martina Withoff
Hauptplatz 5
3910 Zwettl
Austria
Tel: 02822/52417
Fax: 02822/52417-4
E-mail: dr.withoff@aon.at
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the creditors' meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 21 for the
examination of claims.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The Land Court of Krems an der Donau
Hall A
Second Floor
Krems an der Donau
Austria
Headquartered in Grafenschlag, Bez. Zwettl, Austria, the Debtor
declared bankruptcy on Oct. 2 (Bankr. Case No. 9 S 57/07s).
VOSEK LLC: Vienna Court Orders Business Shutdown
------------------------------------------------
The Trade Court of Vienna entered Sept. 27 an order shutting
down the business of LLC VOSEK (FN 254021k).
Court-appointed estate administrator Michael Ludwig Lang
recommended the business shutdown after determining that the
continuing operations would reduce the value of the estate.
The estate administrator can be reached at:
Mag. Michael Ludwig Lang
Maria-Theresien-Strasse 9/4
1090 Vienna
Austria
Tel: 319 32 60
Fax: 319 32 60 9
E-mail: office@blb.at
Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, the Debtor declared bankruptcy
on Sept. 20 (Bankr. Case No 28 S 105/07f).
WHISKYMUEHLE GASTRONOMIE: Creditors' Meeting Slated for Nov. 14
---------------------------------------------------------------
Creditors owed money by LLC Whiskymuehle Gastronomie (FN
278548f) are encouraged to attend the creditors' meeting at 9:45
a.m. on Nov. 14.
The creditors' meeting will be held at:
The Land Court of Ried im Innkreis
Hall 101
First Floor
Ried im Innkreis
Austria
Headquartered in Mettmach, Austria, the Debtor declared
bankruptcy on Oct. 1 (17 S 37/07h). Dr. Johann Kahrer serves
as the court-appointed estate administrator of the bankrupt's
estate.
The estate administrator can be reached at:
Dr. Johann Kahrer
Dr. Dorfwirth-Str. 3
4910 Ried im Innkreis
Austria
Tel: 07752 / 872 55
Fax: 07752 / 848 10
E-mail: office@kahrer-haslinger.at
=============
B E L G I U M
=============
LYONDELL CHEMICAL: Earns US$206 Million for Third Quarter 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------
Lyondell Chemical Company has announced income for the third
quarter 2007 of US$206 million, or 78 cents per share on a fully
diluted basis. For the first nine months of 2007, income from
continuing operations was US$483 million, or US$1.83 per share
on a fully diluted basis.
Third-quarter 2007 results from continuing operations declined
versus the second quarter 2007 primarily due to lower refining
segment results. Following a record second quarter, third-
quarter refining results remained good; however, industry
margins narrowed earlier than expected, ahead of the typical
Labor Day pattern. Ethylene segment results were relatively
unchanged as significant product price increases were only
sufficient to offset raw material cost increases, which finished
the quarter at record levels. In the propylene oxide segment,
both chemical and fuel product (MTBE/ETBE) results were
relatively unchanged versus the second quarter.
"Results across our ethylene and propylene oxide segments were
unchanged versus the second quarter as raw material cost
increases offset the benefits of product price increases," said
Dan F. Smith, chairman, president and Chief Executive Officer of
Lyondell Chemical. "Entering the quarter, we and many others in
the industry expected that crude oil and ethane costs would
plateau at then- current levels; however, they continued to
escalate. As a result, significant price increases were
required just to offset the cost increases, and margins did not
expand to levels that we believe reflect the supply/demand
balance. Refining results, while solid, reflected the fact that
industry spreads declined from very strong early-summer levels
earlier than usual. This occurred despite record low gasoline
and distillate inventories as measured by days of inventory."
"Unfortunately, crude oil and ethane prices have increased
steadily throughout the year, and a certain amount of time is
needed to pass increases of this magnitude through the chemical
and polymer markets. As a consequence, year-to-date results
have not fully reflected existing industry operating rates.
Despite these industry trends, we have generated strong
results."
Thus far in the fourth quarter, both crude oil and ethane price
increases have accelerated, setting new highs. Quarter to date,
our refining spreads are slightly less than the third-quarter
average as our heavy crude advantage has partially offset
declines in base refining margins. In the ethylene, co-
products and derivatives segment, record high raw material costs
are offsetting the benefit of recent price increases,
necessitating further pricing initiatives. In our propylene
oxide and related products segment, oxygenated fuel margins have
declined following typical seasonal patterns.
Cash Distributions and Debt Reduction
Equistar Chemicals, LP to Lyondell Chemical Company and
Millennium Chemicals Inc. -- There were no distributions during
the quarter.
Millennium to Lyondell Chemical Company (LCC) -- There were no
dividends paid by Millennium to LCC during the third quarter.
Debt Reduction -- During the third quarter, debt repayment,
including scheduled amortization of term loans, totaled US$512
million, all at LCC. LCC repaid the US$500 million of debt
called in July 2007.
Receivable Facilities Utilization -- As of Sept. 30, 2007,
Lyondell's receivable facility was unutilized and Equistar's
receivable facility was utilized by US$40 million.
About Lyondell Chemical
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Lyondell Chemical Company
(NYSE: LYO) -- http://www.lyondell.com/-- is North America's
third-largest independent, publicly traded chemical company.
Lyondell manufacturers basic chemicals and derivatives including
ethylene, propylene, titanium dioxide, styrene, polyethylene,
propylene oxide and acetyls. It also refines heavy, high-sulfur
crude oil and produces gasoline-blending components. It
operates on five continents and employs approximately 11,000
people worldwide. The company also has locations in Austria,
France, Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, United
Kingdom, Brazil, China, Japan, Taiwan, India and Singapore.
* * *
The Troubled Company Reporter-Asia Pacific reported on July 23,
2007, Moody's Investors Service placed the ratings of Lyondell
Chemical Company, Equistar Chemical Company LP and Millennium
Chemicals Inc. (Corporate Family Ratings of Ba3) under review
for possible downgrade following the disclosure that Lyondell
has agreed to be acquired by Basell AF SCA (Ba3 CFR under review
for possible downgrade) in a transaction worth roughly
US$19 billion including the assumption of debt.
Moody's also affirmed Lyondell's speculative grade
liquidity rating at SGL-1. However, the financing of this
potential transaction, could result in a change to the SGL
rating as well.
On Jul 23, 2007, Fitch Ratings has placed Lyondell, Equistar and
Millennium on Rating Watch Negative following the disclosure
that Lyondell has agreed to be acquired by Basell for
US$12.66 billion, or US$48 per share. The transaction is valued
at US$19 billion including the consolidated debt outstanding at
Lyondell.
Fitch has placed these ratings on Rating Watch Negative:
Lyondell:
-- Issuer Default Rating 'BB-';
-- Senior secured credit facility and term loan 'BB+';
-- Senior secured notes 'BB+';
-- Senior unsecured notes 'BB-';
-- Debentures 'BB-'.
METHANEX CORP: Earns US$23.61 Mil. in Third Qtr. Ended Sept. 30
---------------------------------------------------------------
For the third quarter of 2007, Methanex Corp. realized net
income of US$23.61 million, as compared with a net income of
US$113.23 million for the third quarter of 2006. Revenues for
the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2007, and 2006, were
US$395.11 million and US$519.58 million, respectively. For the
third quarter of 2007, realized adjusted EBITDA of
US$68.6 million, as compared with Adjusted EBITDA of US$76.5
million for the second quarter of 2007.
As of Sept. 30, 2007, the company's balance sheet showed total
assets of US$2.46 billion total liabilities of US$1.25 billion
and total stockholders' equity of US$1.21 billion.
Bruce Aitken, president and chief executive officer of Methanex,
commented, "With lower production and a slightly lower methanol
price environment, we realized similar Adjusted EBITDA in the
third quarter compared to the second quarter. Prices have
recently increased significantly. A large number of outages in
the industry during the quarter, including our own facility in
Chile, combined with continuing strong demand, caused a severe
shortage of methanol to occur near the end of the quarter.
Contract methanol prices have risen sharply in October and our
average non-discounted prices for October are approximately
US$550/tonne."
Mr. Aitken continued, "Our biggest area of disappointment during
the quarter was the continued curtailment of Argentinean natural
gas supply to our plants in Chile. Our expectation was that
natural gas supply from Argentina would be restored during the
third quarter as cold winter conditions ended and gas demand in
Argentina was reduced; however, this has not yet occurred and we
continue to be limited to operating only one plant in Chile. We
are in continuing discussions with our Argentinean natural gas
suppliers and various governmental authorities to resolve the
situation, and continue to be optimistic that we will have some
natural gas supply restored from Argentina which will enable us
to increase production in Chile and provide much needed product
to the market."
Mr. Aitken added, "Developments regarding incremental natural
gas supply from Chile have been positive. Our natural gas
suppliers in Chile, ENAP and GeoPark, have recently increased
natural gas deliveries to our plant and both have announced
commercial discoveries of natural gas near our plants as a
result of their ongoing exploration activities. In addition,
the Chilean government just announced that it has received
fourteen bids for nine natural gas exploration blocks near our
plants and that the blocks will be awarded in mid-November."
Mr. Aitken concluded, "With US$132 million in cash flow from
operations after changes non-cash working capital generated
during the third quarter, we continue to be in a very strong
financial position to meet the financial requirements related to
our methanol project in Egypt, pursue opportunities to
accelerate natural gas development in southern Chile, pursue
other strategic growth initiatives, and continue to deliver on
our commitment to return excess cash to shareholders."
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash flows from operating activities before changes in non-cash
working capital in the third quarter of 2007 were US$60 million
compared with US$162 million for the same period in 2006. This
decrease was primarily due to lower earnings. During the third
quarter of 2007, our non-cash working capital decreased and this
increased its cash flow from operating activities by US$73
million. The decrease in its non-cash working capital was
primarily due to lower inventory levels and lower trade
receivables.
At Oct. 24, 2007, the company had 99,167,479 common shares
issued and outstanding and stock options exercisable for
1,057,891 additional common shares.
During the third quarter of 2007, the company repurchased for
cancellation a total of 1.7 million common shares at an average
price of US$24.02 per share, totaling US$41 million, under a
normal course issuer bid that expires May 16, 2008. At
Sept. 30, 2007, the company has repurchased a total of 2.9
million common shares of the maximum allowable under this bid of
8.7 million common shares.
During the third quarter of 2007 the company paid a quarterly
dividend of US$0.14 per share, or US$14 million.
About Methanex
Vancouver-based Methanex Corp. (Toronto: MX) (NASDAQGM: MEOH) --
http://www.methanex.com/-- produces and markets methanol
worldwide. The company's stock also trate on foreign securities
market of the Santiago Stock Exchange in Chile under the trading
symbol "Methanex". The company has locations in Belgium, Chile,
China, Japan, Trinidad, the United Kingdom, among others.
* * *
Moody's Investor Services' credit ratings for the company's
unsecured notes at Sept. 30, 2007, is Ba1. Moody's said the
outlook is stable.
TELENET BIDCO: Moody's Rates EUR2.3 Bln Sr. Sec. Facility at B1
---------------------------------------------------------------
Moody's Investors Service affirmed a B1 rating on the senior
secured facility in the amount of EUR2.3 billion granted to
Telenet BidCo N.V., an intermediate holding company of Telenet
Group Holding N.V. The affirmation of the rating follows
certain changes to the facility's security package and its
selective terms and conditions.
The bank facility is now split in five tranches, Term Loan A
maturing five years from the signing date, Term Loan B1 and B2
maturing seventy-eight months from the signing date, Term Loan C
maturing eight years from the signing date and a Revolving
Facility maturing seven years from the signing date. Tranches
B1 and B2 are amortizing in three equal installments starting
5.5 years from the signing date. The maintenance covenants have
been strengthened with an inclusion of an interest cover
covenant of EBITDA to Total Cash Interest. Furthermore, the
security package has been amended to reflect an all asset pledge
rather than a share pledge over Telenet BidCo N.V. and pledges
of any shareholder loans. Moody's believes that these
amendments to the facility have further strengthened the
lenders' position.
The affirmation of the rating at the level of corporate family
rating, despite a stronger security and covenant package,
reflects the limited amount of junior obligations in the
company's debt capital structure.
Telenet, located in Flanders, is the largest cable operator in
Belgium. For the first six months in 2007, the company
generated EUR456.7 million in revenue with a 48% EBITDA margin.
===========
F R A N C E
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BALL CORP: Reports US$60.9 Million Third Quarter Earnings
---------------------------------------------------------
Ball Corporation has reported third quarter earnings of US$60.9
million, or 59 cents per diluted share, on sales of US$1.91
billion, compared to US$107.1 million, or US$1.02 per diluted
share, on sales of US$1.82 billion in the third quarter of 2006.
For the first nine months of 2007, Ball Corp.'s results were
earnings of US$248 million, or US$2.40 per diluted share, on
sales of US$5.63 billion, compared to US$281.3 million, or
US$2.68 per diluted share, on sales of US$5.03 billion in the
same period in 2006.
Both the third quarter and the nine-month results in 2007
include an after-tax charge of US$51.8 million, or 50 cents per
diluted share, related to the settlement of a dispute with a
beverage can customer in the metal beverage packaging, Americas,
segment. The 2006 results include a gain of US$2.8 million
(US$1.7 million after tax, or two cents per diluted share) in
the third quarter and US$76.9 million (US$46.9 million after
tax, or 45 cents per diluted share) in the first nine months for
insurance recovery from a fire at a plant in Germany.
The 2007 results through three quarters do not include an after-
tax charge of approximately US$26 million that will result from
facility closures and related equipment relocation activities
associated with plans the company announced as part of the
continuing consolidation of its food and household products
packaging, Americas, segment. That charge will occur in the
fourth quarter of 2007.
"We had a solid quarter, led by outstanding results in our metal
beverage packaging, Europe/Asia, and our aerospace and
technologies segments," said R. David Hoover, chairman,
president and chief executive officer. "Operating results in
our metal beverage packaging, Americas, segment were slightly
lower than a year ago in the quarter, but for the full year they
remain well above 2006. We announced this week a restructuring
plan to improve results in our metal food and household products
packaging, Americas, segment. We continue to have discussions
with our customer base about the need to improve results there
and in our underperforming plastic packaging, Americas,
segment."
Metal Beverage Packaging, Americas
The 2007 sales and operating earnings for both the quarter and
the first nine months were reduced by the US$85.6 million pre-
tax charge related to the customer settlement. Operating
earnings in the quarter before the customer settlement for the
metal beverage packaging, Americas, segment were US$65 million
on sales of US$728.8 million, compared to US$73 million on sales
of US$659.6 million in the third quarter of 2006. For the first
nine months segment results before the customer settlement were
earnings of US$241.4 million on sales of US$2.2 billion,
compared to US$193.5 million on sales of US$1.99 billion in the
first three quarters of 2006.
"Demand continued to be strong, particularly for specialty size
beverage cans, during the third quarter in the metal beverage
packaging, Americas, segment," Mr. Hoover said. "To help meet
that demand, we plan to install a new 24-ounce can production
line in our Monticello, Ind., facility in time for the 2008
summer sales period."
Metal Beverage Packaging, Europe/Asia
Third quarter earnings in the metal beverage packaging,
Europe/Asia, segment were US$81 million on sales of US$522.4
million, compared to US$66 million, including US$2.8 million in
property insurance gains, on sales of US$425.1 million in the
third quarter of 2006. For the first nine months segment
earnings were US$218.5 million on sales of US$1.45 billion,
compared to US$235.7 million, including US$76.9 million in
property insurance gains, on sales of US$1.16 billion in the
same period in 2006.
"Results in Europe were helped by higher selling prices,
continued cost optimization efforts, and by a full quarter's
contribution from the new lines added in Hassloch and Hermsdorf,
Germany, to replace the capacity lost in the fire last year,"
Mr. Hoover said. "We have announced plans for line speedups and
are looking at possible additional can and end manufacturing
capacity in Europe to meet the continued demand growth there."
Metal Food & Household Products Packaging, Americas
Earnings for the third quarter in the metal food and household
products packaging, Americas, segment were US$14.5 million on
sales of US$349.5 million, compared to US$19.7 million on sales
of US$366 million in the third quarter of 2006. For the first
nine months of 2007, earnings were US$25.4 million on sales of
US$912.3 million, compared to US$25.5 million, including a
US$1.7 million charge for costs to shut down a food can
manufacturing line in Canada, on sales of US$850.5 million.
"Results in our metal food and household products packaging,
Americas, segment remain below acceptable levels," Mr. Hoover
said. "As part of the ongoing process of integrating the assets
we acquired in March 2006 and improving overall performance, we
have announced plans to close two manufacturing plants and exit
the custom and decorative tinplate can business. Although some
manufacturing equipment from the facilities being closed will be
relocated to other Ball facilities, we expect an overall
reduction in manufacturing capacity of approximately 10
production lines. When completed, this restructuring is
expected to yield annualized cost savings in excess of US$15
million."
Plastic Packaging, Americas
Third quarter results in the plastic packaging, Americas,
segment were earnings of US$7.7 million on sales of US$195
million, compared to US$7.9 million on sales of US$201.2 million
in the third quarter of 2006. For the first three quarters of
2007, results were earnings of US$17.1 million on sales of
US$580.3 million, compared to US$18.3 million on sales of
US$521.1 million in the same period in 2006.
"Sales volumes were up slightly from the third quarter of 2006,
due in part to the inclusion of our plastic pail business, which
was transferred to this segment at the beginning of 2007," Mr.
Hoover said. "However, we remain disappointed with the sales of
commodity PET bottles."
Aerospace and Technologies
Earnings in the third quarter for the aerospace and technologies
segment were US$18.3 million on sales of US$196.4 million,
compared to US$15.6 million on sales of US$170.4 million in the
third quarter of 2006. For the first nine months of 2007,
earnings were US$53.5 million on sales of US$596.9 million,
compared to US$33.4 million on sales of US$505.7 million in the
first three quarters of 2006.
"Our aerospace and technologies segment had an excellent quarter
and earnings through three quarters exceed all of 2006 for the
segment," Mr. Hoover said. "The successful launch on Sept. 18
of the WorldView-1 satellite we built for DigitalGlobe marked
another important achievement for Ball Aerospace. This next-
generation imaging satellite and the WorldView-2 spacecraft we
currently have in development will be the most agile commercial
imaging spacecraft ever flown."
Outlook
Raymond J. Seabrook, executive vice president and chief
financial officer, said a lower effective tax rate helped third
quarter results.
"We concluded our negotiations with the Internal Revenue Service
regarding interest expenses incurred on loans under a company-
owned life insurance plan, with the majority of the interest
deductions being upheld," Mr. Seabrook said. "Legislated
reductions in European corporate tax rates and other favorable
tax issues resulted in an overall lower tax rate in the quarter.
"Our adjusted full-year free cash flow is still on track to
exceed US$400 million and our stock buyback is projected at
US$200 million," Mr. Seabrook said.
"We are taking aggressive steps to better position Ball
Corporation for the future," Mr. Hoover said. "We are
determined to make our best businesses even better and to bring
our underperforming businesses to more acceptable levels.
"We have announced plans for expansion in some of the world's
strongest growth markets and are examining other similar
opportunities. We are continuing the process of integrating and
rationalizing assets in the mature metal food and household
products packaging market," Mr. Hoover said.
About Ball Corp.
Headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, Ball Corp. --
http://www.ball.com/-- is a supplier of high-quality metal and
plastic packaging products. It owns Ball Aerospace &
Technologies Corp. -- a developer of sensors, spacecraft,
systems and components for government and commercial customers.
Ball Corp. reported sales of US$5.7 billion in 2005 and the
company employs about 13,100 people worldwide, including
Argentina, Hong Kong, China, France, Germany, and the United
Kingdom.
* * *
As of July 30, 2007, the company holds Moody's Ba1 long-term
corporate family rating, bank loan debt, senior unsecured debt,
and probability of default rating. Moody's said the outlook is
stable.
Standard & Poor's rates the company's long-term foreign and
local issuer credits at BB+ with a stable outlook.
Fitch also rates the company's bank loan debt at BB+ and long-
term issuer default rating and senior unsecured debt at BB.
Fitch said the outlook is stable.
HARMAN INT'L: Earns US$36.5 Mln in 1st Quarter Ended Sept. 30
-------------------------------------------------------------
Harman International Industries Incorporated disclosed results
for the first quarter ended Sept. 30, 2007. The company
reported net income of US$36.5 million for the quarter ended
Sept. 30, 2007, compared with net income of US$56.6 million for
the same period ended Sept. 30, 2006. Excluding merger related
costs of US$4.7 million, net income was US$41.2 million. Net
sales for the three months were US$947.0 million, a 15% increase
compared to US$825.5 million for the same period last year.
All three divisions reported double-digit sales growth for the
first quarter. Automotive net sales for the three months were
US$682.3 million compared to US$601.0 million last year, an
increase of 14%. Consumer net sales increased 28% from US$93.1
million a year ago to US$119.4 million this quarter.
Professional net sales were US$145.2 million compared to
US$131.4 million last year, an increase of 11%.
Dr. Sidney Harman, executive chairman, and Dinesh Paliwal, vice
chairman and chief executive officer, commented:
"We achieved good results during the first quarter of fiscal
2008. Sales growth was strong due to the ramp up of an
infotainment system for Chrysler and robust sales of personal
navigation devices in Europe. Our initiative to develop cost
saving strategies is underway and we expect to gain procurement,
engineering and manufacturing efficiencies that will improve
margins over the course of this fiscal year."
At Sept. 30, 2007, the company's consolidated balance sheet
showed US$2.622 billion in total assets, US$1.046 billion in
total liabilities, and US$1.576 billion in total shareholders'
equity.
About Harman International
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Harman International
Industries Inc. (NYSE: HAR) -- http://www.harman.com/--
manufactures high-quality, high-fidelity audio products and
electronic systems for the automotive, consumer and professional
markets. Harman Int'l has operations in Japan, Mexico and
France.
* * *
As reported in the Troubled Company Reporter on Oct. 24, 2007,
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services revised its CreditWatch
implications for the 'BB-' corporate credit rating on Harman
International Industries Inc. to positive from developing. The
revision reflects published reports that the merger agreement
with KKR and GS Capital Partners, the private equity buyers that
agreed to acquire Harman in April 2007, has been terminated
without litigation or payment of a termination fee.
Accordingly, S&P no longer expects to lower the rating on
Harman.
RHODIA SA: Halts Paracetamol Activities at Roussillon Site
----------------------------------------------------------
Rhodia S.A. presented plans to discontinue the paracetamol
activity on its Roussillon site at the work's council meeting on
Oct. 26, 2007.
According to the company, the ending of these production
activities, which should be effective by the end of 2008, forms
part of the strategy to refocus Rhodia Organics’ business
portfolio.
The economic analysis of this market revealed a difficult
competitive situation. The considerable efforts made to cut
costs have failed to prevent a decline in this business activity
and to restore its competitiveness.
Plans to discontinue the paracetamol activity on the Roussillon
site will have a direct impact on 43 jobs. Rhodia said it will
do its best to facilitate the redeployment of its employees.
Rhodia Organics brings together Rhodia's expertise in fine
organics chemistry dedicated to the Flavors & Fragrances market,
Pharmaceuticals, coatings and industrial paints, Agrochemicals
and industrial intermediates.
About Rhodia
Headquartered in Paris, France, Rhodia S.A. (NYSE: RHA) --
http://www.rhodia.com/-- is a global specialty chemicals
company partnering with major players in the automotive,
electronics, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, consumer care,
tires, and paints and coatings markets. Rhodia offers tailor-
made solutions combining original molecules and technologies to
respond to customers' needs. The group generated sales of
EUR4.8 billion in 2006 and employs around 16,000 people
worldwide.
Rhodia is listed on Euronext Paris and the New York Stock
Exchange. The company has operations in Brazil.
* * *
As reported in the TCR-Europe on April 26, 2007, Fitch Ratings
affirmed Rhodia S.A.'s Issuer Default Rating at BB- and revised
the Outlook to Positive from Stable. Fitch has assigned Rhodia
SA's proposed issue of up to EUR595.125 million bonds
convertible and/or exchangeable for new and/or existing shares
an expected 'BB-' rating.
As reported in the TCR-Europe on April 23, 2007, Moody's
Investors Service upgraded Rhodia S.A. corporate family rating
to Ba3 and assigned Probability-of-Default rating for the group
at Ba3; Moody's also upgraded senior secured notes at Rhodia
S.A. to B1 and assigned LGD assessment at LGD4 (69%). The
proposed convertible notes are rated (P)B1, LGD4 (69%).
These ratings are affected:
-- Corporate Family Ratings upgraded to Ba3;
-- Probability-of-Default assigned at Ba3;
-- Rhodia S.A. Senior Unsecured ratings upgraded to B1, LGD4
(69%); and
-- Rhodia S.A. Senior convertible notes rated (P)B1, LGD4
(69%).
At the same time, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services raised its
long-term corporate credit rating on Rhodia to BB- from B+, and
its long- term debt rating on the group to B from B-. Standard
& Poor's also assigned its B senior unsecured debt rating to
Rhodia's proposed new bond, which will be used for refinancing
purposes.
=============
G E R M A N Y
=============
ARCUS HAUSHALTWARE: Claims Registration Period Ends Nov. 15
-----------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of arcus Haushaltwaren Vertriebs-GmbH have until
Nov. 15 to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency
manager Stefan Conrads.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 30, at which time the
insolvency manager will present his first report on the
insolvency proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Wuppertal
Meeting Hall A234
Second Floor
Eiland 2
42103 Wuppertal
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Stefan Conrads
Mankhauser Str. 7a
42699 Solingen
Germany
Tel: 0212/22172-0
Fax: 0212/22172-18
The District Court of Wuppertal opened bankruptcy proceedings
against arcus Haushaltwaren Vertriebs-GmbH on Oct. 15.
Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have
been automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
arcus Haushaltwaren Vertriebs-GmbH
Schuetzenstrasse 55
42659 Solingen
Germany
BAVARIA SPORT: Creditors' Meeting Slated for Nov. 27
----------------------------------------------------
The court-appointed insolvency manager for Bavaria Sport- und
Informationsdienste GmbH, Rolf Nacke, will present his first
report on the Company's insolvency proceedings at a creditors'
meeting at 9:55 a.m. on Nov. 27.
The meeting of creditors and other interested parties will be
held at:
The District Court of Charlottenburg
Hall 218
Second Floor
Amtsgerichtsplatz 1
14057 Berlin
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report at 9:45 a.m. on Feb. 26 at the same venue.
Creditors have until Jan. 4, 2008, to register their claims with
the court-appointed insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Rolf Nacke
Gross-Berliner Damm 73 c
12487 Berlin
Germany
The District Court of Charlottenburg opened bankruptcy
proceedings against Bavaria Sport- und Informationsdienste GmbH
on Oct. 11. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the
company have been automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
Bavaria Sport- und Informationsdienste GmbH
Prinzenallee 89-90
13357 Berlin
Germany
BICO BERATUNGS: Claims Registration Ends Nov. 20
------------------------------------------------
Creditors of BICO Beratungs- und Informationsgesellschaft fuer
Chirurgie und operative Medizin mbH have until Nov. 20 to
register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager
Ralph Buenning.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 10:20 a.m. on Dec. 7, at which time the
insolvency manager will present his first report on the
insolvency proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Verden (Aller)
Hall 214
Main Building
Johanniswall 8
27283 Verden (Aller)
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Ralph Buenning
Domshof 18-20
28195 Bremen
Germany
Tel: 0421/3686-0
Fax: 0421/3686-100
The District Court of Verden (Aller) opened bankruptcy
proceedings against BICO Beratungs- und Informationsgesellschaft
fuer Chirurgie und operative Medizin mbH on Oct. 12.
Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have
been automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
BICO Beratungs- und Informationsgesellschaft fuer
Chirurgie und operative Medizin mbH
Muehlenstrasse 61
28870 Otterstedt
Germany
BLANK + DOHMEN: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 4
------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of Blank + Dohmen Estrichbau GmbH have until Dec. 4 to
register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager
Wilhelm Klaas.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 9:05 a.m. on Dec. 7, at which time the insolvency
manager will present his first report on the insolvency
proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Krefeld
Meeting Room H 131
First Floor
Nordwall 131
47798 Krefeld
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Wilhelm Klaas
Eichendorffstrasse 25
47800 Krefeld
Germany
Tel: (02151) 80 58 0
Fax: +4902151805858
The District Court of Krefeldopened bankruptcy proceedings
against Blank + Dohmen Estrichbau GmbH on Oct. 9. Consequently,
all pending proceedings against the company have been
automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
Blank + Dohmen Estrichbau GmbH
Attn: Stefan Blank, Manager
Rahe 18
41334 Nettetal
Germany
BOERNER GMBH: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 6
-----------------------------------------------------
Creditors of Boerner GmbH have until Dec. 6 to register their
claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Dr. Wolf-R. von
der Fecht.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 10:05 a.m. on Dec. 14, at which time the
insolvency manager will present his first report on the
insolvency proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Krefeld
Meeting Room H 131
First Floor
Nordwall 131
47798 Krefeld
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Dr. Wolf-R. von der Fecht
Rheinort 1
40213 Duesseldorf
Germany
Tel: 0211 13940
Fax: +4902111394251
The District Court of Krefeld opened bankruptcy proceedings
against Boerner GmbH on Oct. 9. Consequently, all pending
proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
Boerner GmbH
Karl-Arnold-Str. 5
47877 Willich
Germany
Attn: Karl-Ernst Boerner, Manager
Von-Steuben-Str. 27
47803 Krefeld
Germany
BURBAT BAU: Claims Registration Period Ends December 5
------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of Burbat Bau GmbH have until Dec. 5 to register their
claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Dr. Hubertus
Bartelheimer.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2008, at which time the
insolvency manager will present his first report on the
insolvency proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Frankfurt (Oder)
Hall 401
Muellroser Chaussee 55
15236 Frankfurt (Oder)
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Dr. Hubertus Bartelheimer
Bernburger Strasse 32
10963 Berlin
Germany
The District Court of Frankfurt (Oder) opened bankruptcy
proceedings against Burbat Bau GmbH on Oct. 11. Consequently,
all pending proceedings against the company have been
automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
Burbat Bau GmbH
Stadtweg 5
15374 Muencheberg
Germany
CAPITOL-BETTING: Creditors' Meeting Slated for Dec. 4
-----------------------------------------------------
The court-appointed insolvency manager for CBS Capitol-Betting-
Service GmbH, Rolf Nack, will present his first report on the
Company's insolvency proceedings at a creditors' meeting at
11:20 a.m. on Dec. 4.
The meeting of creditors and other interested parties will be
held at:
The District Court of Charlottenburg
Hall 218
Second Floor
Amtsgerichtsplatz 1
14057 Berlin
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report at 11:00 a.m. on March 11, 2008, at the same
venue.
Creditors have until Jan. 11, 2008, to register their claims
with the court-appointed insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Rolf Nacke
Gross-Berliner Damm 73 c
12487 Berlin
Germany
The District Court of Charlottenburg opened bankruptcy
proceedings against CBS Capitol-Betting-Service GmbH on Oct. 10.
Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have
been automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
CBS Capitol-Betting-Service GmbH
Prinzenallee 89-90
13357 Berlin
Germany
EXPRESS DIENSTLEISTUNGS: Claims Registration Period Ends Nov. 14
----------------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of Express Dienstleistungs GmbH have until Nov. 14 to
register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager
Dr. Henning Mordhorst.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Dec. 14, at which time the
insolvency manager will present his first report on the
insolvency proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Meldor
Hall II
Domstrasse 1
25704 Meldorf
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Dr. Henning Mordhorst
Jungfernstieg 51
20354 Hamburg
Germany
Tel: 040/808136400
The District Court of Meldorf opened bankruptcy proceedings
against Express Dienstleistungs GmbH on Oct. 12. Consequently,
all pending proceedings against the company have been
automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
Express Dienstleistungs GmbH
Attn: Aiman El-Hosary, Manager
Heistedter Strasse 10
25746 Heide
Germany
GALIDAD TAPAS: Claims Registration Period Ends December 27
----------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of Galidad Tapas-Frankfurt GmbH have until Dec. 27 to
register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager
Manfred Burghardt.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 9:15 a.m. on Jan. 16, 2008, at which time the
insolvency manager will present his first report on the
insolvency proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Frankfurt/Main
Hall 2
Building F
Klingerstrasse 20
60313 Frankfurt/Main
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Manfred Burghardt
Theobald - Christ Strasse 24
D 60316 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
Tel: 069/94414770
Fax: 069/94414780
The District Court of Frankfurt/Main opened bankruptcy
proceedings against Galidad Tapas-Frankfurt GmbH on Oct. 1.
Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have
been automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
Galidad Tapas-Frankfurt GmbH
Attn: Miguel Angel Moreiras
Berger Strasse 6
60316 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
HANKOOK HANDELS: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 10
--------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of Hankook Handels GmbH have until Dec. 10 to register
their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Ulrike
Hoge-Peters.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 9:55 a.m. on Jan. 21, 2008, at which time the
insolvency manager will present his first report on the
insolvency proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Frankfurt/Main
Hall 2
Building F
Klingerstrasse 20
60313 Frankfurt/Main
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Ulrike Hoge-Peters
Cronstettenstrasse 30
D 60322 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
Tel: 069/9591100
Fax: 069 / 959110-12
The District Court of Frankfurt/Main opened bankruptcy
proceedings against Hankook Handels GmbH on Oct. 10.
Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have
been automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
Hankook Handels GmbH
Attn: Byung-in Lee, Manager
Mergenthalerallee 55
65760 Eschborn
Germany
HANS DECKSTEIN: Claims Registration Ends Nov. 20
------------------------------------------------
Creditors of Hans Deckstein GmbH & Co. KG have until Nov. 20 to
register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager
Siegfried Mueller.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 9:38 a.m. on Jan. 10, at which time the
insolvency manager will present his first report on the
insolvency proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Cologne
Meeting Hall 142
First Floor
Luxemburger Strasse 101
50939 Cologne
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Siegfried Mueller
Koelner Strasse 67
50226 Frechen
Germany
The District Court of Cologne opened bankruptcy proceedings
against Hans Deckstein GmbH & Co. KG on Jan. 10, 2007.
Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have
been automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
Hans Deckstein GmbH & Co. KG
Papier- und Schreibwaren,
Buerobedarf, Buchhandlung
Hauptstr. 142 - 144
50169 Kerpen
Germany
IDEAL BAU: Claims Registration Period Ends November 6
-----------------------------------------------------
Creditors of Ideal Bau Team Gesellschaft fuer behagliches Wohnen
mbH have until Nov. 6 to register their claims with court-
appointed insolvency manager Dr. Thomas Leicht.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 8:00 a.m. on Nov. 27, at which time the
insolvency manager will present his first report on the
insolvency proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Stuttgart
Hall 178
Hauffstr. 5
70190 Stuttgart
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Dr. Thomas Leicht
Eugenstr. 16
70182 Stuttgart
Germany
Tel: 0711/245252
Fax: 0711/233586
The District Court of Stuttgart opened bankruptcy proceedings
against Ideal Bau Team Gesellschaft fuer behagliches Wohnen mbH
on Oct. 11. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the
company have been automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
Ideal Bau Team Gesellschaft fuer behagliches
Wohnen mbH
Attn: Gerald Schafer and Andreas Meier, Managers
Moerikestr. 7
71093 Weil
Germany
KME METALLBAU: Claims Registration Period Ends December 14
----------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of KME Metallbau GmbH have until Dec. 14 to register
their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Thomas
Metz.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 1:45 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2008, at which time the
insolvency manager will present his first report on the
insolvency proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court Erfurt
Hall 15
Judicial Center
Rudolfstr. 46
99092 Erfurt
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Thomas Metz
Fischmarkt 19
99084 Erfurt
Germany
The District Court of Erfurt opened bankruptcy proceedings
against KME Metallbau GmbH on Oct. 1. Consequently, all pending
proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
KME Metallbau GmbH
Attn: Juergen Neumann and Werner Schwalowsky, Managers
Osterlange 26
00189 Elxleben/Erfurt
Germany
LS-BAUUNTERNEHMUNG GMBH: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 23
----------------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of LS-Bauunternehmung GmbH have until Dec. 23 to
register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager
Dr. Robert Schiebe.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting on Jan. 15, 2008, at which time the insolvency
manager will present his first report on the insolvency
proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Mainz
Hall 174
Building B
Ernst-Ludwig Strasse 7
55116 Mainz
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Dr. Robert Schiebe
Lauterenstrasse 37
55116 Mainz
Germany
Tel: 06131/693040
Fax: 06131/6930411
The District Court of Mainz opened bankruptcy proceedings
against LS-Bauunternehmung GmbH on Oct. 1. Consequently, all
pending proceedings against the company have been automatically
stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
LS-Bauunternehmung GmbH
Attn: Jusufovic Lokman, Manager
Obergasse 10
55578 Wallertheim
Germany
LUISENHOF CATERING: Creditors' Meeting Slated for Nov. 28
---------------------------------------------------------
The court-appointed insolvency manager for LUISENHOF CATERING
GmbH, Udo Feser, will present his first report on the company's
insolvency proceedings at a creditors' meeting at 12:10 p.m. on
Nov. 28.
The meeting of creditors and other interested parties will be
held at:
The District Court of Charlottenburg
Hall 218
Second Floor
Amtsgerichtsplatz 1
14057 Berlin
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report at 11:55 a.m. on Feb. 27, 2008, at the same
venue.
Creditors have until Jan. 6, 2008, to register their claims with
the court-appointed insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Udo Feser
Uhlandstr. 165/166
10719 Berlin
Germany
The District Court of Charlottenburg opened bankruptcy
proceedings against LUISENHOF CATERING GmbH on Oct. 5.
Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have
been automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
LUISENHOF CATERING GmbH
Provinzstr. 34
13409 Berlin
Germany
MONTERRA IMMOBILIENVERWALTUNGS: Claims Registration Ends Jan. 2
---------------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of MONTERRA Immobilienverwaltungs GmbH have until
Jan. 2, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed
insolvency manager Jan Markus Plathner.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 9:25 a.m. on Feb. 13, 2008, at which time the
insolvency manager will present his first report on the
insolvency proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Frankfurt (Main)
Hall 2
Building F
Klingerstrasse 20
60313 Frankfurt (Main)
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Dr. Jan Markus Plathner
Lyoner Strasse 14
60528 Frankfurt (Main)
Germany
Tel: 069/9623340
Fax: 069/96233422
E-mail: www.brinkmann-partner.d
The District Court of Frankfurt (Main) opened bankruptcy
proceedings against MONTERRA Immobilienverwaltungs GmbH on
Oct. 8. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the
company have been automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
MONTERRA Immobilienverwaltungs GmbH
Attn: Hans-Peter Biffar, Manager
Hermannstrasse 18
60318 Frankfurt (Main)
Germany
NIMTECH VERTRIEBSGES: Claims Registration Period Ends Nov. 19
-------------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of NIMTECH Vertriebsges. mbH have until Nov. 19 to
register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager
Hans-Peter Rechel.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Dec. 18, at which time the
insolvency manager will present his first report on the
insolvency proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Tostedt
Meeting Hall I
Room CE.02
Linden 23
21255 Tostedt
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Hans-Peter Rechel
Lehmweg 17
20251 Hamburg
Germany
Tel: 040/48063933
Fax: 040/48063999
The District Court of Tostedt opened bankruptcy proceedings
against NIMTECH Vertriebsges. mbH on Oct. 10. Consequently, all
pending proceedings against the company have been automatically
stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
NIMTECH Vertriebsges. mbH
Stoeversweg 21
21244 Buchholz
Germany
Attn: Andreas Nimptschke, Manager
Bredstedter Strasse 12
22049 Hamburg
Germany
PHOENIX KAPITALDIENST Insolvency Administrator Faces Ouster
-----------------------------------------------------------
Frank Schmitt, insolvency administrator for securities trader
Phoenix Kapitaldienst GmbH, may be ousted on accusations of
deceiving investors and catering to his own interests, The
Financial Times cites a Borsen Zeitung report.
According to the report, Mr. Schmitt also used trustee funds
belonging to investors, reportedly approved and arranged by
members of the creditors' committee.
Borsen Zeitung relates that a total of 20 banks and financial
service providers have asked the District Court of Frankfurt to
appoint a special insolvency administrator for Phoenix
Kapitaldienst, the FT reports.
Mr Schmitt, however, said the appointment of a special
insolvency administrator may further delay the insolvency
proceedings against the company, Borsen Zeitung added, according
to the FT.
Phoenix Kapitaldienst is a German security-trading bank, which
has up to EUR230 million in debts. The District Court of
Frankfurt (Main) opened insolvency proceedings for the company
on July 1, 2005.
RAINERS PFLANZENPARADIES: Claims Filing Period Ends Nov. 13
-----------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of Rainers Pflanzenparadies GmbH have until Nov. 13 to
register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager
Peter C. Darr.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 9:20 a.m. on Dec. 4, at which time the insolvency
manager will present his first report on the insolvency
proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Kempten
Room 137/I
Residenzplatz 4-6
87435 Kempten
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Peter C. Darr
Candidplatz 13
81543 Muenchen
Germany
Tel: (089) 614 6960
Fax: (089) 614 69-6 66
The District Court of Kempten opened bankruptcy proceedings
against Rainers Pflanzenparadies GmbH on Oct. 9. Consequently,
all pending proceedings against the company have been
automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
Rainers Pflanzenparadies GmbH
Muenchener Strasse 42
86450 Buchloe
Germany
REAL ESTATE: Claims Registration Period Ends November 13
--------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of Real Estate Service & Management GmbH have until
Nov. 13 to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency
manager Dieter Rasehorn.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 1:00 p.m. on Dec. 11, at which time the
insolvency manager will present his first report on the
insolvency proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Dessau
Hall 123
Willy-Lohmann-Str. 33
Dessau
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Dieter Rasehorn
Muehlweg 16
06108 Halle
Germany
Tel: 0345/5220024
Fax: 0345/5220026
The District Court of Dessau opened bankruptcy proceedings
against Real Estate Service & Management GmbH on Oct. 12.
Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have
been automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
Real Estate Service & Management GmbH
Birkenbreite 28
06847 Dessau-Rosslau
Germany
SHINOVA GMBH: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 25
-----------------------------------------------------
Creditors of Shinova GmbH have until Dec. 25 to register their
claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Peter Houben.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 4, at which time the
insolvency manager will present his first report on the
insolvency proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court of Krefeld
Meeting Room H 131
First Floor
Nordwall 131
47798 Krefeld
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Peter Houben
Sternstrasse 58
40479 Duesseldorf
Germany
Tel: 0211/49 144-0
Fax: +4902114914434
The District Court of Krefeld opened bankruptcy proceedings
against Shinova GmbHon Oct. 9. Consequently, all pending
proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
Shinova GmbH
Attn: Reiner Wildemann, Manager
Steylerstr. 121
41334 Nettetal
Germany
SICHTWERBUNG W. STENDEL: Claims Registration Ends Nov. 22
---------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of Sichtwerbung W. Stendel GmbH & Co. have until
Nov. 22 to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency
manager Jochen Horch.
Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend
the meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 17, at which time the
insolvency manager will present his first report on the
insolvency proceedings.
The meeting of creditors will be held at:
The District Court Heilbronn
Hall 4
Ground Floor
Rollwagstr. 10a
74072 Heilbronn
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may
constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new
insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Jochen Horch
Keplerstrasse 7
74072 Heilbronn
Germany
Tel: 07131/7801-33
Fax: 07131/7801-11
The District Court of Heilbronn opened bankruptcy proceedings
against Sichtwerbung W. Stendel GmbH & Co. on Oct. 15.
Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have
been automatically stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
Sichtwerbung W. Stendel GmbH & Co.
Spezialbetrieb der grafischen Industrie
Sulmstrasse 9
74189 Weinsberg
Germany
SK-SCHLAFKULTUR: Creditors' Meeting Slated for November 16
----------------------------------------------------------
The court-appointed insolvency manager for SK-Schlafkultur GmbH,
Burghard Wegener, will present his first report on the company's
insolvency proceedings at a creditors' meeting at 9:30 a.m. on
Nov. 16.
The meeting of creditors and other interested parties will be
held at:
The District Court of Goettingen
Hall B8
Berliner Strasse 8
37073 Goettingen
Germany
The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency
manager's report at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 14 at the same venue.
Creditors have until Nov. 30 to register their claims with the
court-appointed insolvency manager.
The insolvency manager can be reached at:
Burghard Wegener
Obere Karspuele 36, D
37073 Goettingen
Germany
Tel: 0551/9003660
Fax: 0551/90036629
The District Court of Goettingen opened bankruptcy proceedings
against SK-Schlafkultur GmbH on Oct. 1. Consequently, all
pending proceedings against the company have been automatically
stayed.
The Debtor can be reached at:
SK-Schlafkultur GmbH
Herbert-Quant-Strasse 4
37081 Goettingen
Germany
=============
I R E L A N D
=============
ELAN CORP: Posts US$87.4 Million Net Loss in 3rd Quarter
--------------------------------------------------------
Elan Corporation plc released its third quarter 2007 financial
results and provided a business update.
Net Loss
The net loss for the third quarter of 2007 decreased by 25% to
US$87.4 million from US$117 million in the third quarter of
2006. The decrease reflects a 43% increase in revenues and
improved operating margins as total operating expenses increased
by 13%. Revenue growth was driven by Tysabri(R), with worldwide
in-market sales approaching US$100 million for the quarter.
Elan's share of Tysabri revenues in the quarter was US$63.5
million. The gross margin fell from 62% in the third quarter of
2006 to 52% in the third quarter of 2007, reflecting the impact
of sales of Tysabri, which have a lower gross margin due to the
collaboration agreement with Biogen Idec Inc. In addition,
selling, general and administrative (SG&A) and research and
development (R&D) expenses in the third quarter 2007 were 3%
lower in aggregate than in the third quarter 2006.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA losses for the third quarter of 2007 decreased
by 66% to US$14.1 million, compared to US$41.7 million in the
same period of 2006. This improvement primarily reflects an
increase of 43% in revenues, principally related to Tysabri, and
reduced SG&A costs.
Revenue
Total revenue for the third quarter of 2007 increased 43% to
US$176.6 million from US$123.3 million in the same period of
2006.
Gross Profit
The gross profit margin on revenue was 52% in the third quarter
of 2007, compared to 62% in the same period of 2006. The
decrease is due principally to the change in the mix of product
sales, including the impact of Tysabri and the reduced price of
Maxipime as a result of the entry of a generic competitor. The
Tysabri gross profit margin of 33% is impacted by the profit
sharing and operational arrangements in place with Biogen Idec,
and reflects Elan's gross margin on US sales of approximately
36%, offset by the inclusion in cost of sales of royalties
payable by Elan on sales of Tysabri outside of the United
States. These royalties are payable by Elan but reimbursed by
the collaboration.
"During the quarter we continued to make tangible progress
within our pipeline and gaining momentum for Tysabri. Continued
focus on advancing our science and realizing the full potential
of our shared asset, Tysabri, in MS and additional indications
will enable us to create value, diversify risk and position us
for growth as we accelerate into the future," Kelly Martin,
president and chief executive officer of Elan, said.
"We are very pleased to report that revenues increased by 43%
and Adjusted EBITDA losses were reduced by two thirds over last
year, continuing the trend of the last couple of quarters. The
increase in revenues was driven principally by the accelerating
uptake of Tysabri, which generated in-market sales of nearly
US$100 million on a world-wide basis this quarter. We were
particularly pleased that during the quarter we exceeded the
15,000 patient target which we need for Tysabri to breakeven in
the commercial setting for the MS indication. At the end of the
quarter, there were about 17,000 patients on therapy, including
about 1,000 in clinical trials. We continued to carefully
manage our cost base, with aggregate SG&A and R&D costs down on
last year contributing to a reduction in net losses of 25%,"
Shane Cooke, executive vice president and chief financial
officer of Elan, said.
"We are optimistic that we will better our previous target of
reporting Adjusted EBITDA losses of about US$50 million for the
full year. In the longer term, the continued growth in revenue
from Tysabri will drive our return to profitability and, with
Biogen Idec, we are targeting to have 100,000 patients on
therapy by the end of 2010," Mr. Cooke added.
At Sept. 30, 2007, Elan's unaudited consolidated US GAAP balance
sheet showed US$1.8 billion in total assets, US$1.7 billion in
total liabilities and US$179.9 million in total shareholders'
equity.
About the Company
Headquartered in Ireland, Elan Corporation plc (NYSE: ELN) --
http://www.elan.com/-- is a neuroscience-based biotechnology
company. Elan shares trade on the New York, London and Dublin
Stock Exchanges.
* * *
As reported in the TCR-Europe on Oct. 15, 2007, Standard &
Poor's Ratings Services revised its outlook on Elan
Corp. PLC to positive from stable and affirmed the ratings on
the company and its subsidiaries, including the 'B' corporate
credit rating.
In April 2007, in connection with the implementation of
its new Probability-of-Default and Loss-Given-Default rating
methodology for the corporate families in the Gaming, Lodging
and Leisure, Manufacturing, and Energy sectors, Moody's
Investors Service confirmed its B3 Corporate Family Rating for
Elan Corporation plc and assigned a B2 probability-of-default
rating to the company.
Debt ratings remain unchanged in conjunction with the
implementation of Moody's Loss Given Default and Probability of
Default rating methodology for existing non-financial
speculative-grade corporate issuers in Europe, Middle East and
Africa.
* Issuer: Elan Finance plc
Projected
Debt LGD Loss-Given
Debt Issue Rating Rating Default
---------- ------- ------- --------
US$300M Senior Unsecured
Regular Bond/Debenture
Due 2011 B3 LGD4 65%
US$300M Senior Unsecured
Regular Bond/Debenture
Due 2011 B3 LGD4 65%
US$150M Senior Unsecured
Regular Bond/Debenture
Due 2013 B3 LGD4 65%
US$850M 7.75% Senior Unsecured
Regular Bond/Debenture
Due 2011 B3 LGD4 65%
US$465M 8.875% Senior Unsecured
Regular Bond/Debenture
Due 2013 B3 LGD4 65%
===================
K A Z A K H S T A N
===================
ADIL & HAN: Creditors Must File Claims by December 1
----------------------------------------------------
The Specialized Inter-Regional Economic Court of Kyzylorda
declared LLP Adil & Han insolvent on Sept. 4.
Creditors have until Dec. 1 to submit written proofs of claim
to:
The Specialized Inter-Regional
Economic Court of Kyzylorda
Mailin Str. 75
Kyzylorda
Kazakhstan
Tel: 7 777 340 40-50
7 705 722 69-78
7 777 317 20-18
ALAMAN KURYLYS: Creditors Must File Claims by December 1
--------------------------------------------------------
Representation of LLP Alaman Kurylys in Shymkent has declared
insolvency. Creditors have until Dec. 1 to submit written
proofs of claim to:
Representation of LLP Alaman Kurylys
Askarov Str. 26/26
Shymkent
South Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
CARAVELLA PLUS: Claims Filing Period Ends November 28
-----------------------------------------------------
LLP Caravella Plus has declared insolvency. Creditors have
until Nov. 28 to submit written proofs of claim to:
LLP Caravella Plus
Djandosov Str. 35-23
Bostandyksky District
Almaty
Kazakhstan
CHAPAYEV GAZIFICATSIYA: Creditors' Claims Due by November 28
------------------------------------------------------------
The Specialized Inter-Regional Economic Court of West Kazakhstan
declared LLP Chapayev Gazificatsiya on Sept. 5.
Creditors have until Nov. 28 to submit written proofs of claim
to:
The Specialized Inter-Regional
Economic Court of West Kazakhstan
Junisov Str. 94
Uralsk
West Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Tel: 8 (3112) 50-47-15
ELMO-SERVICE LLP: Claims Registration Period Ends November 28
-------------------------------------------------------------
LLP Elmo-Service has declared insolvency. Creditors have until
Nov. 28 to submit written proofs of claim to:
LLP Elmo-Service
Jambyl ave. 73a
Taraz
Jambyl
Kazakhstan
HUNTNET LLP: Creditors Must File Claims by November 28
------------------------------------------------------
LLP Company on Telecommunicational Technologies Huntnet has
declared insolvency. Creditors have until Nov. 28 to submit
written proofs of claim to:
LLP Company on Telecommunicational Technologies Huntnet
Micro District Kazakhfilm, 45
Almaty
Kazakhstan
KAZBUILD-2006 LLP: Creditors Must File Claims by November 28
------------------------------------------------------------
LLP Construction Company Kazbuild-2006 has declared insolvency.
Creditors have until Nov. 28 to submit written proofs of claim
to:
LLP Construction Company Kazbuild-2006
Nursenov Str. 5
Kyzylkiya
Kazygurtsky District
South Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
KAZINVESTBANK: Moody's Assigns B2/NP/E+ Global Scale Ratings
------------------------------------------------------------
Moody's Investors Service assigned these global scale ratings to
KazInvestBank:
-- B2 long-term and Not-Prime short-term foreign and local
currency deposit ratings; and
-- an E+ bank financial strength rating.
All of the bank's ratings carry a stable outlook.
According to Moody's KIB's E+ BFSR, which translates to a
Baseline Credit Assessment of B2, is based on the bank's
fundamental credit strength, which, in Moody's view, is
underpinned by its strong corporate governance, risk management
and capitalization, but constrained by its limited franchise,
significant borrower and depositor concentrations.
The bank's B2 local and foreign currency deposit ratings do not
factor in any expectation of systemic support in the event of a
stress situation, given the bank's very low national market
share and relative importance to the country's banking system.
Although support from the bank's shareholders cannot be ruled
out, its extent and timeliness are somewhat uncertain.
Consequently the long-term deposit ratings are at the same level
as the bank's B2 Baseline Credit Assessment.
The bank is majority-owned by a group of Kazakh entrepreneurs
(none of which individually holds a controlling or a blocking
stake), who jointly own 56.7% of the bank's capital, whereas
EBRD and CVCI hold 21.5% of the bank's capital each. KIB has
targeted the corporate, SME and retail lending markets and is in
the process of expanding its distribution network.
In Moody's view, KIB's ratings could be upgraded if it succeeds
in improving its franchise, as well as materially reducing the
level of borrower concentration, while maintaining reasonable
capitalization and asset quality.
Conversely, downward rating pressure could arise from a failure
to reduce the level of borrower concentration or in the event of
a material deterioration in asset quality.
Based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, KazInvestBank reported total
audited IFRS consolidated assets and net income of US$199
million and US$0.9 million, respectively, at year-end 2006
(US$106 million and US$0.3 million, respectively, a year
before).
KVARTS & KK: Claims Filing Period Ends December 1
-------------------------------------------------
The Specialized Inter-Regional Economic Court of Kyzylorda
declared LLP Kvarts & KK insolvent on Sept. 6.
Creditors have until Dec. 1 to submit written proofs of claim
to:
The Specialized Inter-Regional
Economic Court of Kyzylorda
Mailin Str. 75
Kyzylorda
Kazakhstan
Tel: 7 777 340 40-50
7 705 722 69-78
7 777 317 20-18
RUSTEM LLP: Creditors Must File Claims by November 28
-----------------------------------------------------
The Tax Committee of Almaty has ordered the compulsory
liquidation of LLP Rustem (RNN 531400002246).
Creditors have until Nov. 28 to submit written proofs of claim
to:
The Tax Committee of Almaty
Room 208
Jangusurov Str. 113a
Taldykorgan
Almaty
Kazakhstan
Tel: 8 (3282) 24-19-77
SET STROITELNYH: Claims Registration Ends November 28
-----------------------------------------------------
The Specialized Inter-Regional Economic Court of West Kazakhstan
declared LLP Construction Company Set Stroitelnyh Materialov
insolvent on Sept. 6.
Creditors have until Nov. 28 to submit written proofs of claim
to:
The Specialized Inter-Regional
Economic Court of West Kazakhstan
Junisov Str. 94
Uralsk
West Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Tel: 8 (3112) 50-47-15
===================
K Y R G Y Z S T A N
===================
TECHNOFOND LLC: Creditors Must File Claims by November 28
---------------------------------------------------------
LLC Technofond has declared insolvency. Creditors have until
Nov. 28 to submit written proofs of claim to:
LLC Technofond
Sovetskaya Str. 152
Bishkek
Kyrgyzstan
TELENET LLC: Creditors Must File Claims by December 1
-----------------------------------------------------
LLC Telenet has declared insolvency. Creditors have until
Dec. 1 to submit written proofs of claim.
Inquiries can be addressed to (+996 312) 64-76-17.
===================
L U X E M B O U R G
===================
AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES: Prices US$600 Mln of Senior Notes Offering
----------------------------------------------------------------
Agilent Technologies Inc. disclosed the pricing of its senior
notes in an aggregate principal amount of US$600 million, in an
underwritten, registered public offering. The senior notes will
mature in November 2017 and will bear interest at an annual rate
of 6.5%.
The offering closed on Oct. 29, 2007, subject to customary
closing conditions.
Agilent intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for
general corporate purposes, which may include repurchases of its
outstanding shares of common stock, acquisitions, working
capital and capital expenditures.
Citi Markets & Banking and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. acted as
joint lead book-running managers for the offering. Banc of
America Securities LLC, Credit Suisse, Lehman Brothers and
Utendahl Capital Markets L.P. acted as co-managers.
Copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus relating to the offering can be obtained from:
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Prospectus Department
Brooklyn Army Terminal
140 58th Street, 8th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11220
Telephone +1 877 858 5407
and
J. P. Morgan Securities Inc.
Attn: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk
270 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Telephone +1 212 834 4533
Based in Santa Clara, California, Agilent Technologies Inc.
(NYSE: A) -- http://www.agilent.com/-- is a measurement company
serving communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical
analysis industries. The company's 19,000 employees serve
customers in more than 110 countries. The company has
operations in India, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Bolivia, Paraguay,
Venezuela, and Luxembourg, among others.
* * *
As reported in the Troubled Company Reporter on Oct. 26, 2007,
Moody's Investors Service assigned a Ba1 rating to Agilent
Technologies, Inc.'s proposed offering of US$500 million senior
notes due 2017 and affirmed its existing ratings and stable
outlook.
===============
P O R T U G A L
===============
BEARINGPOINT: Bags US$50-MM Deal for Motor Vehicle Tech Project
---------------------------------------------------------------
BearingPoint Inc. has been awarded a US$50 million contract
(including a five-year base contract valued at US$36.8 million,
plus five option years) from the Missouri Department of Revenue
(DOR) to design, implement and maintain a new motor technology
solution for the State. The DOR administers the titling and
registering of all vehicles and administration of the driver's
license program in the State of Missouri.
Under the new contract, BearingPoint will design and implement a
complete motor vehicle technology solution that will automate
and increase the efficiency of managing all motor vehicle
related services provided to Missouri residents, including
automobile registration and titling, dealer licensing and driver
credentialing.
DOR currently uses more than 20 software systems to support a
wide array of motor vehicle services. Like in many other
states, these disparate systems rely on older technologies that
can be very inefficient compared to more modern information
technology systems. These older systems can lead to manual and
redundant processes, customer service delays, increased staffing
requirements, greater vulnerability to fraud and theft, and a
general lack of ability to produce timely and complete data for
the department.
BearingPoint will work with DOR to put in place a fully
integrated customer-centric system that will replace the
multiple outdated systems with one integrated solution to
increase data security and reduce repetitive tasks. This
legacy-system replacement project will incorporate service
enhancements including customer management, cash and finance
management, vehicle titling/registration/inventory, dealer
management, driver services and work management. The upgrade is
anticipated to decrease customer wait times and allow staff to
better serve Missouri residents.
"Departments of Motor Vehicles are some of the most complex and
highly visible agencies in state government, and they interact
with a large number of residents on a regular basis," said Gary
Miglicco, vice president of BearingPoint's National Motor
Vehicle practice. "BearingPoint is pleased to work with the
State of Missouri on this project. We have an excellent team of
professionals with DMV experience that will work closely with
the State to help ensure this new system meets all of its
current requirements, and is robust enough to meet future needs
as well."
BearingPoint's National DMV Practice is one of the leaders in
providing management and technology consulting services to motor
vehicle regulators, and has significant experience in the
development and operation of DMV systems. The firm has worked
on projects with Departments of Motor Vehicles in California,
New Hampshire, Montana and Texas.
About BearingPoint
Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, BearingPoint Inc., (NYSE:
BE) -- http://www.BearingPoint.com/-- provides of management
and technology consulting services to Global 2000 companies and
government organizations in 60 countries worldwide. The firm
has approximately 17,500 employees, and major practice areas
focusing on the Public Services, Financial Services and
Commercial Services markets.
BearingPoint has global locations including in Indonesia,
Australia, Austria, China, India, Japan, Mexico, Portugal,
Singapore and Thailand.
The company reported total assets of US$1.9 billion, total
liabilities of US$2.1 billion, and total stockholders deficit of
US$177.3 million as of Dec. 31, 2006.
===========
R U S S I A
===========
ASHINSKIJ LIGHTING: Auction of Stock Slated for November 23
-----------------------------------------------------------
The competitive proceedings manager of Ashinskij Lighting
Facilities Plant OJSC will open a public auction sale of stock
at 2:00 p.m. on Nov. 23 at:
Rossijskaya Str. 26
Chelyabinsk
Russia
The company has set a RUR184,011,000 starting price for the
auctioned assets.
Interested participants have until Nov. 14 to deposit an amount
equivalent to 10% of the starting price.
Bidding documents must be submitted to:
Rossijskaya Str. 26
Chelyabinsk
Russia
The Debtor can be reached at:
Ashinskij Plant of Lighting Facilities OJSC
Lenina Str. 2
Asha
Chelyabinsk
Russia
Information related to the auction can be obtained at:
Rossijskaya Str. 26
Chelyabinsk
Russia
Tel: 8(351) 266-95-39
DRILLING-AND-BLASTING: Bankruptcy Hearing Slated for Dec. 18
-------------------------------------------------------------
The Arbitration Court of Chelyabinsk will convene on Dec. 18 to
hear the bankruptcy supervision procedure on Drilling-and-
Blasting Operations LLC. The case is docketed under Case No.
?76-12535/2007-34-228.
The interim manager is:
V. V. Red'kin
P.O. Box 8347
454084 Chelyabinsk
Russia
The Court is located at:
The Arbitration Court of Chelyabinsk
Vorovskogo Str. 2
454091 Chelyabinsk
Russia
The Debtor can be reached at:
Drilling-and-Blasting Operations LLC
Tsementnikov Str. 1
Katav-Ivanovsk
456110 Chelyabinsk
Russia
KRUTOYARSKOYE CJSC: Competitive Proceedings Ongoing
---------------------------------------------------
The Arbitration Court of Chelyabinsk commenced competitive
proceedings on Krutoyarskoye CJSC on Sept. 4, 2007. The case is
docketed under Case No. ?76-1641/2007-48-34.
The competitive proceedings manager is:
N. I. Volkov
Korabelnaya Str. 8-136
454045 Chelyabinsk
Russia
The Court is located at:
The Arbitration Court of Chelyabinsk
Vorovskogo Str. 2
454091 Chelyabinsk
Russia
MOROZOVSKIJ CJSC: Court Starts External Bankruptcy Procedure
------------------------------------------------------------
The Arbitration Court of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad
commenced external management procedure on Power Complex
Morozovskij CJSC. The case is docketed under Case No.
?56-7418/2007.
The external insolvency manager is:
E. V. Kayurova
Chaikovskogo Str. 27
191028 St. Petersburg
Russia
The Court is located at:
The Arbitration Court of St. Petersburg and the
Leningrad
Hall 113
Suvorovskiy Pr. 50/52
St. Petersburg
Russia
The Debtor can be reached at:
Power Complex Morozovskij CJSC
Chekalova Str. 3
Morozova Township
Vsevolozhskij Raion
188679 Leningrad
Russia
MOSTOSTROITEL' OJSC: Bankruptcy Hearing Slated for Jan. 18
----------------------------------------------------------
The Arbitration court of Krasnoyarsk will convene at 11:00 a.m.
on Jan. 18, 2008, to hear the bankruptcy supervision procedure
on Mostostoitel' OJSC. The case is docketed under Case No.
?33-10704/2007.
The interim manager is:
A. V. Bagan
P.O. Box 20647
660017 Krasnoyarsk
Russia
The Court is located at:
The Arbitration Court of Krasnoyarsk
Room 22
Lenina Str. 143
660021 Krasnoyarsk
Russia
The Debtor can be reached at:
Mostostoitel' OJSC
Krasnogorskaya 2nd 21?
Krasnoyarsk
660061 Krasnoyarsk krai
Russia
SIBFORESTEXPORT LLC: Creditors Must File Claims by Dec. 20
----------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of SibForestExport LLC have until Dec. 20 to submit
proofs of claim to:
S. A. Ananin
P.O. Box 4790
634034 Tomsk
Russia
The Arbitration Court of Tomsk commenced a one-year competitive
proceeding against the company after finding it insolvent on
Oct. 1, 2007. The case is docketed under Case No. ?67-1869/07.
The Debtor can be reached at:
SibForestExport LLC
Sel'skaya Str. 130
Asino
636840 Tomsk
Russia
SP ZLATOUSTOVSKOYE: Court Names I.V. Marchevskaya as Liquidator
---------------------------------------------------------------
The Arbitration Court of Chelyabinsk appointed I.V. Marchevskaya
as competitive proceedings manager for CJSC SP Zlatoustovskoye
Beer.
The Court declared the company insolvent on Sept. 21, 2007.
The case is docketed under Case No. ? 76-15510/ 2007-55-43.
The Court is located at:
The Arbitration Court of Chelyabinsk
Vorovskogo Str. 2
454091 Chelyabinsk
Russia
The Debtor can be reached at:
CJSC SP Zlatoustovskoye Beer
Skvortsova Str. 16
Zlatoust
Russia
SULINSTROYMATERIALS LLC: Asset Sale Slated for November 21
----------------------------------------------------------
OK Analyst LLC, acting on behalf of the competitive proceedings
manager of SulinStroyMaterials LLC (construction materials) will
open a public auction for the company's properties at noon on
Nov. 21 at:
OK Analyst LLC
Office 90
Lermontovskaya Str. 83
Rostov-on-Don
Russia
The company has set a RUR40,011,221 starting price for the
auctioned assets. Deposit required is 20% of the starting
price.
Interested participants have until 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 15 to
submit their bidding documents to:
OK Analyst LLC
Office 90
Lermontovskaya Str. 83
Rostov-on-Don
Russia
Tel: (863) 234-26-14
TURN-KEY SURGUTOILGASSTROY: Asset Sale Slated for November 27
-------------------------------------------------------------
A. V. Gluhov, the competitive proceedings manager of General
Construction Directorate Turn-Key SurgutOilGasStroy OJSC will
set a repeated auction for the company's properties at 2:00 p.m.
on Nov. 27 at:
A. V. Gluhov
Roznina Str. 146/2
Khanty-Mansijsk
Russia
Tel: 35–111
The starting prices for the auctioned assets are:
-- Lot 1: RUR45,167,000; and
-- Lot 2: RUR49,906,000.
Interested participants have until Nov. 14 to deposit an amount
equivalent to 20% of the starting price to the settlement
account of General Construction Directorate Turn-Key
SurgutOilGasStroy OJSC.
Bidding documents must be submitted to:
A. V. Gluhov
Roznina Str. 146/2
Khanty-Mansijsk
Russia
Tel: 35–111
WATER TREATMENT: Creditors Must File Claims by Dec. 20
------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of Water Treatment Facilities MUE have until Dec. 20
to submit proofs of claim to:
V. V. Kuzyaev
Competitive Proceedings Manager
P.O. Box 1515
460001 Orenburg
Russia
The Arbitration Court of Orenburg commenced competitive
proceedings on Aug. 30, 2007 on the company. The case is
docketed under Case No. ?47-4356-2007-14??.
The Court is located at:
The Arbitration Court of Orenburg
9th January Str. 64
460046 Orenburg
Russia
The Debtor can be reached at:
Water Treatment Facilities MUE
Promzona
Yasny
Orenburg
Russia
YUZHURALENERGOSTROY OJSC: Asset Sale Slated for November 19
-----------------------------------------------------------
A. A. Fazlyev, the competitive proceedings manager of
YuzhUralEnergoStroy OJSC, will open a public auction for the
company's properties at 3:00 p.m. on Nov. 19 at:
A. A. Fazlyev
Office 502
Lenina Pr. 21-B
Chelyabinsk
Russia
The starting prices for the auctioned assets are:
-- Lot 1: RUR88,580,000;
-- Lot 2: RUR12,000; and
-- Lot 3: RUR82,845.
Interested participants have until Nov. 17 to deposit an amount
equivalent to two percent of the starting price to the
settlement account of YuzhUralEnergoStroy OJSC.
Bidding documents must be submitted to:
A. A. Fazlyev
Office 502
Lenina Pr. 21-?
Chelyabinsk
Russia
Tel: (351) 775-46-57
=========
S P A I N
=========
CODERE SA: S&P Affirms 'B' Senior Unsecured Debt Rating
-------------------------------------------------------
Standard & Poor's Rating Services affirmed the 'BB-' corporate
credit and 'B' senior unsecured debt ratings on Spanish gaming
company Codere S.A.'s and removed them from CreditWatch with
negative implications, where they had been placed on June 11,
2007. The outlook is stable.
The removal from CreditWatch reflects the company's completion
of its IPO on Oct. 19, 2007, which raised net proceeds of
EUR129.1 million. Most of the proceeds will be used to fund the
proposed purchase of 49% of Impulsora de Centros de
Entretenimiento de las Americas (ICELA), which owns 65 Mexican
gaming licenses and a horse race track complex, in exchange for
an upfront cash consideration of US$145 million. The remaining
proceeds will finance the buyout of Codere Mexico's 10% minority
shareholder.
"These transactions remain subject to regulatory approval but
will improve Codere's structural position and give it greater
control over its Mexican interests," said Standard & Poor's
credit analyst Philip Temme.
The ratings on gaming group Codere reflect its highly leveraged
financial profile; significant exposure to volatile Latin
American economies; high, albeit partly hedged, exchange-rate
risks; lack of direct ownership of certain licenses; heavy
dependence on a single slot machine supplier for its Spanish
AWPs; and heavy indebtedness of controlling shareholders.
These concerns are partly mitigated by the stable and cash-
generative nature of Codere's Spanish slot (machine business;
its strong record of EBITDA growth in Buenos Aires, Spain, and
Mexico; and the group's limited maintenance capital expenditure
requirements and adequate liquidity.
The IPO resulted in a 25% free float for the company, valuing
Codere at EUR1.1 billion. The Martinez Sampedro family stake
has been reduced from 91.8% to 73.1%. Most of the family's
shares are held through Masampe Holding B.V., a special-purpose
vehicle that issued a EUR340 million eight-year payment-in-kind
note in June 2007 which Standard & Poor's consolidates with
Codere's debt.
S&P considered Codere's solid market positions, growth track
record, and the cash-generative nature of its businesses when
assigning the stable outlook. To maintain the ratings and
outlook, we expect Codere to maintain an adjusted-debt-to-EBITDA
ratio (including the PIK notes) of not more than 5x. Ratings
upside is limited by the group's cash flow negative position,
exposure to euro appreciation, and heavy reliance on Argentina
and Mexico. Higher-than-expected investment activity, earnings
deterioration, or an inability to cover interest expenses from
European earnings would likely trigger a negative rating action.
===========
S W E D E N
===========
FORD MOTOR: UAW Talks Intensifies After Chrysler Ratifies Pact
--------------------------------------------------------------
The United Auto Workers union is now intent on labor talks with
Ford Motor Company after Chrysler LLC ratified its four-year
labor contract with the union over the weekend, several papers
report.
According to Poornima Gupta of Reuters citing a source familiar
with the discussions, Ford and the UAW have reached a new set of
terms for a labor contract, cutting thousands of jobs under a
buyout program.
If Ford could bargain cost savings from the UAW under their new
contract, the carmaker is likely change its plans on closing six
plants and displacing workers, Dee-Ann Durbin of The Associated
Press writes.
Sources say that among the Big Three automakers in the U.S.,
Ford has been slated by the UAW to be last in the line for labor
talks because Ford has been struggling financially. At June 30,
2007, the company's balance sheet showed total assets of
US$279.2 billion, total liabilities of US$279.9 billion, and
minority interests of US$1.2 billion, resulting in a US$1.9
billion stockholders' deficit.
Headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) --
http://www.ford.com/-- manufactures or distributes automobiles
in 200 markets across six continents. With about 260,000
employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and
affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover,
Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Aston Martin, and Mazda. The company
provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.
The company has operations in Japan in the Asia Pacific region.
In Europe, the company maintains a presence in Sweden, and the
United Kingdom. The company also distributes its brands in
various Latin American regions, including Argentina and Brazil.
* * *
As reported in the Troubled Company Reporter on July 30, 2007,
Moody's Investors Service said that the performance of Ford
Motor Company's global automotive operations for the second
quarter of 2007 was significantly stronger than the previous
year and better than street expectations.
However, Moody's explained that the company continues to face
significant competitive and financial challenges, and the rating
agency expects that Ford's credit metrics and rate of cash
consumption will likely remain consistent with no higher than a
B3 corporate family rating level into 2008.
According to the rating agency, Ford's corporate family rating
is currently a B3 with a negative outlook. The rating is
pressured by the shift in consumer preference from high margin
trucks and SUVs, and by the need for a new 2007 UAW contract
that provides meaningful relief from high health care costs and
burdensome work rules, Moody's relates.
In June 2007, S&P raised the Issue Rating on Ford's senior
secured credit facilities to B+ from B.
=====================
S W I T Z E R L A N D
=====================
ACUROB INVESTMENT: Appenzell Court Starts Bankruptcy Proceedings
----------------------------------------------------------------
The Bankruptcy Court of Appenzell Ausserrhoden commenced
bankruptcy proceedings against JSC ACUROB Investment on Aug. 31.
The Bankruptcy Service of Appenzell Ausserrhoden can be reached
at:
Bankruptcy Service of Appenzell Ausserrhoden
Branch Heiden
9410 Heiden AR
Switzerland
The Debtor can be reached at:
JSC ACUROB Investment
Industriestasse 28
9100 Herisau AR
Switzerland
ALBACH & CO: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by November 5
------------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of JSC Albach & Co have until Nov. 5 to submit their
claims to:
JSC Custodia Treuhand
Liquidator
Industriestrasse 31
6302 Zug
Switzerland
The Debtor can be reached at:
JSC Albach & Co
Zug
Switzerland
H. & W. NYDEGGER: Basel-Stadt Court Closes Bankruptcy Process
-------------------------------------------------------------
The Bankruptcy Service of Basel-Stadt entered Sept. 18 an order
closing the bankruptcy proceedings of JSC H. & W. Nydegger.
The Bankruptcy Service of Basel-Stadt can be reached at:
Bankruptcy Service of Basel-Stadt
4051 Basel
Switzerland
The Debtor can be reached at:
JSC H. & W. Nydegger
Grenzacherstrasse 30
4058 Basel
Switzerland
MARGRIT FIERZ: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by November 5
--------------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of JSC Margrit Fierz have until Nov. 5 to submit their
claims to:
Margrit Fierz
Liquidator
Neudorfstrasse 47
8810 Horgen ZH
Switzerland
The Debtor can be reached at:
JSC Margrit Fierz
Horgen ZH
Switzerland
NEWCO COMMODITIES: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by Nov. 5
--------------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of JSC Newco Commodities have until Nov. 5 to submit
their claims to:
Dr. Andreas Conradi
Liquidator
Lowenstrasse 42
8001 Zurich
Switzerland
The Debtor can be reached at:
JSC Newco Commodities
Steinhausen ZG
Switzerland
NEWCO TRADING: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by Nov. 5
----------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of JSC Newco Trading have until Nov. 5 to submit their
claims to:
Dr. Andreas Conradi
Liquidator
Lowenstrasse 42
8001 Zurich
Switzerland
The Debtor can be reached at:
JSC Newco Trading
Steinhausen ZG
Switzerland
SKANDINAVISKA METMO: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by Nov. 5
----------------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of JSC Skandinaviska Metmo have until Nov. 5 to submit
their claims to:
Dr. Andreas Conradi
Liquidator
Lowenstrasse 42
8001 Zurich
Switzerland
The Debtor can be reached at:
JSC Skandinaviska Metmo
Steinhausen ZG
Switzerland
SUTER OPTIK: Zurich Court Closes Bankruptcy Proceeding
------------------------------------------------------
The Bankruptcy Service of Mannedorf in Zurich entered Sept. 24
an order closing the bankruptcy proceedings of LLC Suter Optik
Mannedorf.
The Bankruptcy Service of Mannedorf can be reached at:
Bankruptcy Service of Mannedorf
8708 Mannedorf
Meilen ZH
Switzerland
The Debtor can be reached at:
LLC Suter Optik Mannedorf
Bahnhofstrasse 20
8708 Mannedorf
Meilen ZH
Switzerland
TRIGON ENERGIETECHNIKM: Arlesheim Court Starts Bankruptcy
---------------------------------------------------------
The Bankruptcy Court of Arlesheim in Basel-Country commenced
bankruptcy proceedings against JSC Trigon Energietechnik? on
Sept. 11.
The Bankruptcy Service of Arlesheim can be reached at:
Bankruptcy Service of Arlesheim
4144 Arlesheim BL
Switzerland
The Debtor can be reached at:
Trigon Energietechnik?
Finkenstr. 25
Muttenz, 4127 Birsfelden
Arlesheim BL
Switzerland
WELA HOLDING: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by November 5
-------------------------------------------------------------
Creditors of JSC Wela Holding have until Nov. 5 to submit their
claims to:
Peter Vogt
Liquidator
Marktplatz 6
2540 Grenchen
Lebern SO
Switzerland
The Debtor can be reached at:
JSC Wela Holding
Grenchen
Lebern SO
Switzerland
===========================
U N I T E D K I N G D O M
===========================
ACM SCAFFOLDING: M. C. Bowker Leads Liquidation Procedure
---------------------------------------------------------
M. C. Bowker of Tenon Recovery was appointed liquidator of ACM
Scaffolding Ltd. on Oct. 11 for the creditors' voluntary
winding-up procedure.
The liquidator can be reached at:
Tenon Recovery
Clive House
Clive Street
Bolton
BL1 1ET
England
BASINGSTOKE PRESS: Taps Liquidators from UHY Hacker Young
---------------------------------------------------------
Andrew Andronikou and Peter Alan Kubik of UHY Hacker Young were
appointed joint liquidators of The Basingstoke Press Ltd.
(formerly The Basingstoke Press (75) Ltd.) on Oct. 18 for the
creditors' voluntary winding-up proceeding.
The joint liquidators can be reached at:
UHY Hacker Young
St. Alphage House
2 Fore Street
London
EC2Y 5DH
England
BAUSCH & LOMB: Moody's Confirms and Will Withdraw Ba1 Ratings
-------------------------------------------------------------
Moody's Investors Service confirmed and will withdraw Bausch &
Lomb Incorporated's (Oldco) Ba1 Corporate Family Rating, Ba1
Probability of Default Rating and Ba1 ratings on certain
existing senior unsecured notes. The rating outlook was revised
to stable and will be withdrawn.
The Ba1 rating on US$60.4 million senior unsecured notes due
Nov. 15, 2007, remains on review for possible downgrade and is
expected to be withdrawn upon the maturity of the notes.
These ratings for Bausch & Lomb Incorporated (Oldco) were
confirmed and will be withdrawn:
-- Ba1 Corporate Family Rating;
-- Ba1 Probability of Default Rating;
-- Ba1 rating (LGD4/52%) on Senior Unsecured Notes due 2008;
-- Ba1 rating (LGD4/52%) on Floating Rate Convertible Notes
due 2023;
-- Ba1 rating (LGD4/52%) on Medium Term Notes due 2026;
-- Ba1 rating (LGD4/52%) on Debentures due 2028; and
-- Ba1 rating (LGD4/52%) on a Medium Term Note Program.
This Bausch & Lomb Incorporated (Oldco) rating will remain on
review for downgrade and will be withdrawn upon maturity:
-- Ba1 rating (LGD4/52%) on Senior Unsecured Notes due 2007.
Headquartered in Rochester, New York, Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
is a leading worldwide provider of eye care products, including
contact lens, lens care, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, and
surgical products. BOL was acquired by Warburg Pincus, a
private equity firm, on Oct. 26, 2007. For the 12 months ended
June 30, 2007, the company reported US$2.4 billion in revenues.
The company is organized into three geographic segments: the
Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and Asia (including
operations in India, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand). In
Latin America, the company has operations in Brazil and Mexico.
In Europe, the company maintains operations in Austria, Germany,
the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
B L GROUP: Administrators Sell Business to Langley Holdings
-----------------------------------------------------------
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP administrators have secured a sale of
the business and assets of B L Bristol Group Ltd., B L Bristol
Ltd., and B L Group Ltd. to Langley Holdings plc.
According to joint administrators Rob Lewis, Rob Birchall and
Stephen Oldfield, the sale of the business safeguards some 260
jobs in Bristol and East Anglia.
The sale of the companies' business and assets includes shares
in other group companies in the United States and Germany and
also safeguards an additional 100 jobs in those countries.
"I am delighted to be able to announce the sale of the business
and the preservation of 360 jobs. Bradman Lake is an
established brand within the packaging machinery sector and we
are pleased that in Langleys, we have found a purchaser to
invest in the business for the future," Rob Lewis disclosed.
Langley Holdings plc is a globally operating multi-disciplined
engineering concern providing capital equipment technologies and
services to diverse markets around the world, employing over
2000 people.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP -- http://www.pwcglobal.com/--
provides auditing services, accounting advice, tax compliance
and consulting, financial consulting and advisory services to
clients in a variety of industries.
Headquartered in Bristol, England, B L Bristol Group Ltd., B L
Bristol Ltd., and B L Group Ltd., which are part of the Bradman
Lake group, manufacture packaging machinery. They also have
manufacturing operations in Bristol, Norwich and Beccles, East
Anglia.
BUSINESS MORTGAGE 7: Moody's Rates Three Note Classes at Ba1
------------------------------------------------------------
Moody's Investors Service assigned these provisional ratings to
the CMBS issuance of Business Mortgage Finance 7 plc:
-- (P)Aaa to the GBP Class A1 Mortgage Backed Floating Rate
Notes due 2041;
-- (P)Aaa to the Euro Class A2 Mortgage Backed Floating Rate
Notes due 2041;
-- (P)Aaa to the US Dollar Class A3 Mortgage Backed Floating
Rate Notes due 2041;
-- (P)Aaa to the Detachable Class A1 Coupons due 2041;
-- (P)Aaa to the Detachable Class A2 Coupons due 2041;
-- (P)Aaa to the Detachable Class A3 Coupons due 2041;
-- (P)A2 to the GBP Class M1 Mortgage Backed Floating Rate
Notes due 2041;
-- (P)A2 to the Euro Class M2 Mortgage Backed Floating Rate
Notes due 2041;
-- (P)A2 to the US Dollar Class M3 Mortgage Backed Floating
Rate Notes due 2041;
-- (P)Ba1 to the GBP Class B1 Mortgage Backed Floating Rate
Notes due 2041;
-- (P)Ba1 to the Euro Class B2 Mortgage Backed Floating Rate
Notes due 2041;
-- (P)Ba1 to the US Dollar Class B3 Mortgage Backed Floating
Rate Notes due 2041; and
-- (P)Aaa to the Mortgage Early Redemption Certificates due
2041.
The total debt raised by Business Mortgage Finance 7 plc,
approximately GBP300 million, will be used to purchase a
portfolio of approximately GBP300 million non-conforming UK
commercial mortgage loans from Commercial First Mortgages Ltd,
and will be split as:
-- [75.0] per cent Class A1, Class A2 and Class A3 Notes
("Class A Notes"),
-- [16.9] per cent Class M1, Class M2 and Class M3 Notes
("Class M Notes"), and
-- [4.95] per cent Class B1, Class B2 and Class B3 Notes
("Class B Notes").
The ratios of GBP, Euro and US Dollar amounts for the Class A,
Class M and Class B Notes have yet to be determined. Moody's
has not assigned a rating to the Class C Notes (3.15 per cent of
proposed issuance).
The ratings on the Notes are based upon:
(i) Moody's assessment of the real estate quality and
characteristics of the underlying property portfolio, its
loan-to-value and current debt service coverage;
(ii) a loan-by-loan analysis of the mortgage pool backing the
Notes;
(iii) additional loans of approximately GBP46.5 million to
be acquired by the Issuer at closing (expected Nov. 30,
2007) or by the Prefunding Purchase Date, subject to
satisfaction of certain eligibility criteria, even though
prefunding is currently not anticipated by Moody's;
(iv) the availability of a committed liquidity facility
provided by Barclays Bank PLC (Aa1, P-1), initially sized
at 10 per cent of the outstanding notes to cover
shortfalls in payments of interest on the Notes and
certain senior expenses;
(v) the sequential pay structure, switching to pro rata
subject to strict trigger conditions ;
(vi) Issuer-level currency, basis and interest rate hedging
contracts to be provided by Barclays Bank PLC (Aa1, P-1);
(vii) an opening reserve amount of GBP10.5 million and,
subject to sufficient excess spread, rising to a target
balance of approximately GBP12.6 million after closing;
and
(viii) the legal and structural characteristics of the issue.
The initial pool as at the Cut-Off Date of Oct. 6, 2007 contains
1,206 commercial mortgages secured by first ranking legal
mortgages on 1,173 mixed use properties. The properties are all
located in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with
the largest proportion of 26.3 per cent being in the South East.
Although Moody's has reflected in its analysis the portfolio's
small size and lack of granularity compared to residential
mortgage pools, the portfolio is somewhat diversified
geographically and by property type.
Moody's issues provisional ratings in advance of the final sale
of securities, but these ratings only represent Moody's
preliminary credit opinion. Upon a conclusive review of the
transaction and the associated documentation, Moody's will
endeavour to assign definitive ratings to the Notes. A
definitive rating may differ from a provisional rating. Moody's
will disseminate the assignment of definitive ratings though its
Client Service Desk.
The ratings of the Class A, Class M and Class B Notes address
the expected loss posed to investors by the legal final
maturity. In Moody's opinion, the structure allows for timely
payment of interest and ultimate payment of principal at par on
or before the rated final legal maturity date. Moody's ratings
address only the credit risks associated with the transaction,
other non-credit risks have not been addressed, but may have
significant effect on yield to investors.
The Detachable Class A1, A2 and A3 Coupons do not receive any
payments of principal, and earn interest at a certain rate
(currently assumed to be 1.32 per cent) calculated on the
outstanding balance of the Class A Notes. The ratings of the
DACs address the Issuer's ability to make the promised payment
of interest. However, it does not address the size of balance
used to calculate the amount due.
The Mortgage Early Redemption Certificates are backed solely by
mortgage early redemption charges that may become payable by
borrowers in the pool on early redemption of their loans within
a certain period. The provisional Aaa rating on the MERC's is
qualified as it addresses the likelihood of receipt by MERC
holders of such amounts only if they are received by the Issuer.
It assumes, without any independent investigation, (i) that
payment of the mortgage early redemption charges under the
mortgage loans is legally valid, binding and enforceable, and
(ii) that such amounts are actually collected from borrowers and
received by the Issuer. The amount receivable by MERC holders
also depends on prepayment rates within the pool. The rating
does not address such prepayment rates.
COMCO COMBUSTION: Calls In Liquidators from Mazars
--------------------------------------------------
Simon David Chandler and Alistair Steven Wood of Mazars LLP were
appointed joint liquidators of Comco Combustion and Equipment
Ltd. (formerly Levinson-Eggle Ltd.) on Oct. 15 for the
creditors' voluntary winding-up proceeding.
The joint liquidators can be reached at:
Mazars LLP
Lancaster House
67 Newhall Street
Birmingham
B3 1NG
England
The company can be reached at:
Comco Combustion and Equipment Ltd.
Building 50
Third Avenue
Pensnett Trading Estate
Kingswinford
West Midlands
DY6 7XD
England
COTT CORP: Posts US$5.8 Mil. Net Loss in Quarter Ended Sept. 29
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cott Corporation disclosed results for the third quarter ended
Sept. 29, 2007. Net loss in the third quarter was
US$5.8 million, compared to net income of US$6.6 million in the
third quarter of 2006.
Revenues in the quarter were US$464.6 million, down 2.3% from
US$475.5 million in the third quarter of the prior fiscal year.
Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, revenues declined 5%
compared to the prior year period. The revenue decline was
driven by North America.
Third quarter gross margin was 9.8%, compared to 13.0% in the
prior year third quarter. The decline was the result of high
ingredient and packaging costs in the quarter, which were not
offset by sufficient price increases, higher operating costs
related to the transition of production out of recently closed
plants, and the impact of the voluntary product recall in the
U.K.
Third quarter volume was 309.9 million eight-ounce equivalent
cases, up 0.7% compared to the third quarter of 2006, with
international growth being partially offset by declines in North
America. The North American volume decline was primarily due to
continued softness in the carbonated soft drink segment, the
impact of price increases and increased promotional activity by
national brands. Also impacting volume was unseasonably wet
weather and a voluntary product recall related to the start-up
of a second aseptic line, both in the U.K.
Restructuring and asset impairment charges for the quarter
amounted to US$15.1 million pre-tax. This related to the
previously announced closure of the plant in Wyomissing,
Pennsylvania and office consolidations.
"We are disappointed by our performance in the third quarter,"
Brent Willis, Cott's Chief Executive Officer, said. "As a
result, we are focusing our efforts in North America on fewer,
more impactful initiatives, including our new water strategy,
selected new channel and product opportunities, and pricing
actions that should further the North American business unit
turnaround and reignite growth."
Year-to-Date Performance
On a year-to-date basis, volume was flat and revenue was down 1%
compared to the same period in the prior year. North American
volume and revenue declines were partially offset by gains in
the International business unit, where there was continued
growth despite operational issues in the U.K. When foreign
exchange is excluded, revenue for the first nine months of 2007
declined 3%.
Gross margin for the first nine months of 2007 was 11.6%
compared to 13.6% in 2006, primarily due to higher ingredient
and packaging costs. SG&A expenses decreased in the first nine
months of the year to US$116.5 million, compared to US$129.4
million in the same period last year.
Year-to-date operating income was US$18.1 million, compared to
US$42.6 million in the first nine months of the prior year.
Restructuring, asset impairments and other charges in the period
were US$24.4 million due to the Wyomissing plant closure and
office consolidations, compared to US$15 million in the prior
year.
Cott recorded an income tax benefit of US$8.5 million for the
nine months of 2007, compared to a provision of US$4.4 million
for the nine months of 2006.
Net income in the first nine months of the year was
US$3.7 million, compared to US$12.1 million in the first nine
months of 2006.
At Sept. 29, 2007, the company's balance sheet showed total
assets of US$1.2 billion and total liabilities of US$721.0
million, resulting in a US$510.4 million.
About Cott Corp.
Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Cott Corporation (NYSE: COT;
TSX: BCB) -- http://www.cott.com/-- is a non-alcoholic beverage
company and a retailer brand beverage supplier. The company
commercializes its business in over 60 countries worldwide, with
its principal markets being the United States, Canada, the
United Kingdom and Mexico. Cott markets or supplies over 200
retailer and licensed brands, and company-owned brands including
Cott, Royal Crown, Vintage, Vess and So Clear. Its products
include carbonated soft drinks, sparkling and flavored mineral
waters, energy drinks, juices, juice drinks and smoothies,
ready-to-drink teas, and other non-carbonated beverages.
* * *
As reported in the Troubled Company Reporter on Oct. 4, 2007,
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services revised its CreditWatch
implications on beverage provider Cott Corp. to negative from
developing. The 'B+' long-term corporate credit rating and 'B-'
subordinated debt rating were placed on CreditWatch developing
on April 16, 2007, following Cott's decision to explore its
possible participation in industry consolidation. The change in
the CreditWatch placement results from Cott having made no
significant progress in this regard, even though management
continues to consider this option.
HUNSLET-BARCLAY: Brings In Administrators from KPMG
---------------------------------------------------
Blair Nimmo and Tony Friar of KPMG Restructuring were appointed
joint administrators of Hunslet-Barclay Ltd. on Oct. 26, 2007,
following an application by its directors with the Court of
Session.
Production inefficiencies and difficulties on certain
refurbishment contracts led to significant trading losses.
Despite management changes and the instigation of a
restructuring program, serious cash flow difficulties ultimately
forced the directors to appoint administrators.
"The business has endured a tough time over the last couple of
years as the company focused on quality, possibly at the expense
of efficiency. The level of losses sustained ultimately left
the directors with no choice but to appoint administrators.
While it is regrettable, the current financial situation means
that the administrator have no option but to make 16
redundancies with immediate effect," Blair Nimmo disclosed.
The remaining 122 workforce will continue to assist the joint
administrators in realizing the maximum value from the business
and its assets.
"Hunslet Barclay with its highly skilled and experienced
workforce has a fantastic reputation in the marketplace and we
have already received interest from a number of parties. As a
result, we are confident that we can continue to trade the
business with a view to securing a quick sale. We welcome any
party who may have an interest in acquiring the business to make
early contact with us," Mr. Nimmo concluded.
KPMG LLP -- http://www.kpmg.co.uk/-- offers accounting, audit,
and tax-related services to customers in such target industries
as banking, media and entertainment, consumer products, health
care providers, insurance, and pharmaceuticals.
Headquartered in Kilmarnock, Scotland, Hunslet-Barclay Ltd. is a
long established engineering business which specializes in the
refurbishment and repair of rail vehicles and related
components. It is Austrian-owned and is part of the Waagner
Biro group. It employs 138 staff and had a turnover of GBP9
million for the year to Dec. 31, 2006. Turnover for the year to
Dec. 31, 2007, was on target to exceed GBP10 million.
KIRBY CITY: Names Ian Mark Defty as Liquidator
----------------------------------------------
Ian Mark Defty of Kingston Smith & Partners LLP was appointed
liquidator of Kirby City Ltd. (formerly City Services Locksmiths
Ltd.) on Oct. 12 for the creditors' voluntary winding-up
procedure.
The liquidator can be reached at:
Kingston Smith & Partners LLP
105 St. Peters Street
St. Albans
Hertfordshire
AL1 3EJ
England
MELLADAY LTD: Appoints J. M. Titley as Liquidator
-------------------------------------------------
J. M. Titley of DTE Leonard Curtis was appointed liquidator of
Melladay Ltd. (t/a Richmond Brasserie) on Oct. 22 for the
creditors' voluntary winding-up procedure.
The liquidator can be reached at:
DTE Leonard Curtis
DTE House
Hollins Mount
Hollins Lane
Bury
Lancs
BL9 8AT
England
NEXT CIVIL: Brings In Liquidators from BDO Stoy Hayward
-------------------------------------------------------
Andrew Howard Beckingham and Matthew James Chadwick of BDO Stoy
Hayward LLP were appointed joint liquidators of Next Civil
Engineering Ltd. on Oct. 13 for the creditors' voluntary
winding-up proceeding.
The joint liquidators can be reached at:
BDO Stoy Hayward LLP
Arcadia House
Maritime Walk
Ocean Village
Southampton
SO14 3TL
England
POPE & TALBOT: Files for Protection Under CCAA
----------------------------------------------
Pope & Talbot, Inc., yesterday said that in order to address its
financial challenges and to support efforts to be a more
efficient organization, the company and its U.S. and Canadian
subsidiaries have applied for protection under the Companies'
Creditors Arrangement Act of Canada.
Pope & Talbot's Board of Directors, in a unanimous decision,
directed the company to take this action as the best alternative
for the long-term interests of the company, its employees,
customers, creditors, business partners and other stakeholders.
"We want to assure our customers and employee colleagues that
Pope & Talbot is taking all available steps to allow its
business to continue operating as a going concern," said Harold
Stanton, President and CEO. "Our customers can continue to rely
on Pope & Talbot to supply their critical business needs. This
protection is a necessary and responsible step for the company
at this time. Our customers and business partners want Pope &
Talbot to succeed, not only because of our over 150-year
heritage, but because of the
value our company brings to the marketplace."
Persistent record low demand for lumber, high priced pulp chips
and sawdust, the appreciation of the Canadian dollar and the
high cost of debt service have combined for an untenable
business environment. Despite doing many things to preserve
liquidity, Pope & Talbot has determined the best alternative is
to seek protection and flexibility under the reorganization law
in Canada, where its principal operating subsidiary is located,
and therefore sought protection under the CCAA. The company
will use the protections of the CCAA to provide additional time
for it to continue its restructuring efforts, which include, but
are not limited to, the sale of certain or all of the company's
assets.
Pope & Talbot expects to fund current operating needs, including
wages, benefits and other operating expenses, with cash
generated from daily operations while under CCAA protection.
Pope & Talbot Inc. (Pink Sheets:PTBT) -- http://www.poptal.com/
-- is a pulp and wood products business. The company, based in
Portland, Oregon, was founded in 1849 and produces market pulp
and softwood lumber at mills in the U.S. and Canada. Markets
for the Company's products include the U.S., Europe, Canada,
South America and the Pacific Rim.
POPE & TALBOT: Moody's Cuts Corporate Family Rating to Ca
---------------------------------------------------------
Moody's Investors Service lowered Pope & Talbot Inc.'s corporate
family rating to Ca from Caa2 and its senior unsecured rating to
C from Ca.
Additionally, Moody's lowered the company's probability-of-
default rating to D from Caa3. The rating action was prompted
by the announcement that Pope & Talbot and its U.S. and Canadian
subsidiaries have applied for protection under the Companies'
Creditors Arrangement Act of Canada. The company expects to use
the protections of the CCAA to provide for additional time to
explore options available as it continues its restructuring
efforts. This action concludes the review initiated on May 17,
2007.
Following these rating actions, Moody's will withdraw all of the
ratings.
These ratings were lowered:
Downgrades:
* Issuer: Pope & Talbot, Inc.
-- Probability of Default Rating, Downgraded to D from Caa3
-- Corporate Family Rating, Downgraded to Ca from Caa2
-- Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture, Downgraded to a
range of 88-LGD5 to C from a range of 73-LGD5 to Ca
Outlook Actions:
* Issuer: Pope & Talbot, Inc.
-- Outlook, Changed To Stable From Rating Under Review
Pope & Talbot Inc. produces pulp and wood based building
products from manufacturing facilities located primarily in
British Columbia, Canada and with smaller operations in the
north western United States. The company is headquartered in
Portland, Oregon. Markets for the company's products include
the U.S., Europe, Canada, South America, and the Pacific Rim.
The company and its U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries have applied
for protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act of
Canada.
PURE HOLIDAYS: Hires Liquidators from Baker Tilly Restructuring
---------------------------------------------------------------
Susan Agnes Maund and Andrew Whiteof Baker Tilly Restructuring
and Recovery LLP were appointed joint liquidators of Pure
Holidays Ltd. (formerly Pure Horizons Ltd.) on Oct. 17 for the
creditors' voluntary winding-up proceeding.
The joint liquidators can be reached at:
Baker Tilly Restructuring and Recovery LLP
International House
Queens Road
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 3XE
England
PROMINENT CMBS: Fitch Affirms Class E Notes' Rating at BB
---------------------------------------------------------
Fitch Ratings has upgraded and affirmed Prominent CMBS Funding
No.1 Plc's notes due December 2032:
-- GBP357.5 million class A1 (XS0234097128): affirmed at
'AAA'; Outlook Stable
-- GBP100.2 million class A2 (XS0234098365): affirmed at
'AAA'; Outlook Stable
-- GBP30 million class B (XS0234098951): upgraded to 'AAA'
from 'AA'; Outlook Stable
-- GBP76 million class C (XS0234099256): upgraded to 'AA'
from 'A'; Outlook revised to Positive from Stable
-- GBP54 million class D: affirmed at 'BBB'; Outlook Stable
-- GBP26.3 million class E: affirmed at 'BB'; Outlook Stable
The rating actions follow Fitch's satisfactory review of the
Prominent transaction. The upgrades to classes B and C reflect
the consistently good performance of the transaction, high
levels of prepayments and the substantially improved levels of
advance rates throughout.
The pool factor is declining quite rapidly due to the
significant levels of prepayments encountered. Since closing in
December 2005, the outstanding balance on the notes has
decreased to GBP664 million (as of September 2007) from
GBP1 billion following substitutions and prepayments. However,
the actual decrease in the outstanding balance was offset by the
GBP10.71 million of further advances in the last quarter,
subsequently the further consideration ledger decreased to
GBP5.57 million in September 2007 from GBP22.93 million in May
2007. The portfolio's current weighted average loan-to-value
ratio has improved to 62.8% from 72.3% at close. The interest
coverage has increased to 1.64x (1.55x at closing).
This transaction was initially a securitization of 33 U.K.
commercial mortgage loans that were originated by Bank of
Scotland. The issuer had the ability to substitute additional
pre-identified loans from a secondary pool into the securitized
pool as the original loans repaid. To date, all loans from the
secondary pool have been used, which means that there will be no
further substitutions. There are currently 28 loans in this
transaction, and of these remaining loans, the top six represent
just over half of the current balance of the pool. The largest
loan in the pool, with an LTV of 53.9%, remains unchanged since
close, and now represents 11.7% of the pool.
The structure benefits from a reserve fund and a liquidity
facility - both available to cover interest shortfalls on the
loans as well as certain senior expenses and, in the case of the
reserve fund, losses - with initial balances of GBP10 million
and GBP65 million, respectively.
REGENT STREET: Taps M. C. Bowker to Liquidate Assets
----------------------------------------------------
M. C. Bowker of Tenon Recovery was appointed liquidator of
Regent Street Dairies (Oldham) Ltd. on Oct. 24 for the
creditors' voluntary winding-up procedure .
The liquidator can be reached at:
Tenon Recovery
Clive House
Clive Street
Bolton
BL1 1ET
England
RESLOC UK: S&P Affirms Class F1b Notes' Rating at B
---------------------------------------------------
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, following a review, has
affirmed its ratings on the notes issued by ResLoC U.K. 2007-1
PLC.
ResLoC U.K. 2007-1 closed in May 2007 with an issuance of
GBP900.58 million mortgage-backed floating-rate notes and an
overissuance of GBP9.37 million excess-spread-backed notes.
On the second interest payment date on Sept. 17, 2007, the
transaction drew GBP535,128 of its reserve fund, representing
4.4% of the opening quarter reserve balance of GBP12.16 million.
The draw was made to cover a shortfall of interest on the notes.
There have been no losses in this transaction to date.
On the first IPD (June 15, 2007), the transaction had topped up
its reserve fund to the required amount. There was also
sufficient available interest collections to pay the class E2b
noteholders (excess-spread-backed notes) GBP1.19 million, 13.92%
of their original balance.
The pool factor is currently 97.9% (GBP881,679,847). The
weighted-average LTV ratio of the pool has decreased slightly to
81.96% from 82.11% at closing.
From an arrears position, ResLoC is in line with most U.K.
nonconforming transactions with a similar seasoning. ResLoC has
yet to declare any losses and has just four loans in
repossession representing 0.1% of the current principal balance.
"Our analysis shows that given the current position of the
ResLoC transaction, including the reduction of the reserve fund,
the transaction can be affirmed at this point in time," said
surveillance analyst Kate Livesey.
Ratings List
ResLoC U.K. 2007-1 PLC
EUR395.5 Million, GBP485.8 Million, and US$303.7 Million
Mortgage-Backed Floating-Rate Notes
Class Rating
----- ------
A1a AAA
A1b AAA
A1c AAA
A2a AAA
A2b AAA
A2c AAA
A3a AAA
A3b AAA
A3c AAA
M1a AAA
M1b AAA
B1a AA
B1b AA
C1a A
C1b A
D1a BBB
D1b BBB
E1b BB
E2b(1) BB
F1b (defer)(1) B
MERC(2) AAA
(1) The class E2 and F1 notes will be repaid through excess
spread. The ratings on the class F1 notes address the
ultimate payment of interest and principal.
(2) The mortgage early redemption certificates constitute
amounts payable to MERC noteholders from payments made to
the issuer when borrowers repay their mortgages early.
SCO GROUP: Court OKs US$36 Mln Sale of Unix to JGD Management
-------------------------------------------------------------
The SCO Group Inc. and its debtor-affiliates obtained approval
from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to
publicly sell their Unix business to JGD Management Corp., dba
York Capital Management or to any successful bidder.
The Debtors and JGD have sign an asset purchase agreement which
provided that apart from the Unix business, the Debtor will sell
to JGD for a total consideration price of US$36 million certain
of their related claims in litigation, assumed liabilities and
the Debtors' cross-license and related agreements pertaining to
the Hipcheck product line and Me Inc. The agreement also
provide financing to the Debtor, under Sections 363 and 364 of
the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
JGD, pursuant to the agreement, will pay the Debtor the total
price in cash and non-cash components consisting of US$10
million cash payment, up to US$10 million in the form of a
litigation credit facility, up to US$10 million in the form of a
20% interest in JGD's collection of favorable judgment from
Linux litigation, and up to US$6 million in the form of a
revenue share agreement. In addition, under the agreement, JGD
will post and earnest money deposit in the amount of 5% of the
purchase price.
The Debtors and JGD have agreed to a US$50,000 reimbursement of
JGD's purchase fees in connection with the consummation of the
deal. If JGD is designated as a stalking horse bidder and is
unsuccessful in the bid, the Debtor will pay JGD a US$780,000
break-up fee, plus US$300,000 alternative transaction expense
reimbursement.
The Debtors' revenues have been declining over the past several
years and they do not have enough liquidity to sustain their
operations. Hence, the Debtors must move quickly to realize the
best price for their assets.
The Court has scheduled a hearing on Nov. 6, 2007, at 11:00 a.m.
for considering approval of the asset purchase agreement and the
bidding procedures. The deadline for filing objections is
Wednesday, November 1, at 4:00 p.m.
The Debtors have asked the Court for approval of the
transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement no
later than Dec. 7, 2007.
Headquartered in Lindon, Utah, The SCO Group Inc. (Nasdaq: SCOX)
fka Caldera International Inc. -- http://www.sco.com/--
provides software technology for distributed, embedded and
network-based systems, offering SCO OpenServer for small to
medium business and UnixWare for enterprise applications and
digital network services. The company has office locations in
Australia, Austria, Argentina, Brazil, China, Japan, Poland,
Russia, the United Kingdom, among others.
The company and its affiliate, SCO Operations Inc., filed for
Chapter 11 protection on Sept. 14, 2007, (Bankr. D. Del. Lead
Case No. 07-11337). Paul Steven Singerman, Esq., and Arthur
Spector, Esq., at Berger Singerman P.A., represent the Debtors.
James O'Neill Esq., and Laura Davis Jones, Esq., at Pachulski
Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP, is the Debtors' local counsel. Epiq
Bankruptcy Solutions, LLC, acts as the Debtors' claims and
noticing agent. An Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
has yet to be appointed in these cases by the Office of the
United States Trustee. The Debtors' exclusive period to file a
chapter 11 plan expires on March 12, 2008. The Debtors'
schedules of assets and liabilities showed total assets of
US$9,549,519 and total liabilities of US$3,018,489.
TOTAL SPARES: Calls In Liquidator from Kingston Smith & Partners
----------------------------------------------------------------
Ian Mark Defty of Kingston Smith & Partners LLP was appointed
liquidator of Total Spares and Supplies Ltd. (formerly
Changepack Ltd.) on Oct. 12 for the creditors' voluntary
winding-up procedure.
The liquidator can be reached at:
Kingston Smith & Partners LLP
105 St Peters Street
St. Albans
Hertfordshire
AL1 3EJ
England
The company can be reached at:
Total Spares and Supplies Ltd.
Salisbury House
31 Finsbury Circus
London
EC2M 5SQ
England
TWISTED TOYS: Appoints Liquidators from Mazars
----------------------------------------------
Robert Adamson and Paul Charlton of Mazars LLP were appointed
joint liquidators of Twisted Toys Ltd. on Oct. 18 for the
creditors' voluntary winding-up proceeding.
The joint liquidators can be reached at:
Mazars LLP
Mazars House
Gelderd Road
Gildersome
Leeds
LS27 7JN
England
YSB RECYCLING: Taps Liquidator from Tenon Recovery
--------------------------------------------------
M. C. Bowker of Tenon Recovery was appointed liquidator of YSB
Recycling Ltd. on Oct. 11 for the creditors' voluntary winding-
up procedure.
The liquidator can be reached at:
Tenon Recovery
Clive House
Clive Street
Bolton
BL1 1ET
England
*********
Monday's edition of the TCR delivers a list of indicative prices
for bond issues that reportedly trade well below par. Prices
are obtained by TCR editors from a variety of outside sources
during the prior week we think are reliable. Those sources may
not, however, be complete or accurate. The Monday Bond Pricing
table is compiled on the Friday prior to publication. Prices
reported are not intended to reflect actual trades. Prices for
actual trades are probably different. Our objective is to share
information, not make markets in publicly traded securities.
Nothing in the TCR constitutes an offer or solicitation to buy
or sell any security of any kind. It is likely that some entity
affiliated with a TCR editor holds some position in the issuers'
public debt and equity securities about which we report.
Each Tuesday edition of the TCR contains a list of companies
with insolvent balance sheets whose shares trade higher than
US$3 per share in public markets. At first glance, this list
may look like the definitive compilation of stocks that are
ideal to sell short. Don't be fooled. Assets, for example,
reported at historical cost net of depreciation may understate
the true value of a firm's assets. A company may establish
reserves on its balance sheet for liabilities that may never
materialize. The prices at which equity securities trade in
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solvency test.
A list of Meetings, Conferences and Seminars appears in each
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related conferences are encouraged. Send announcements to
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Each Friday's edition of the TCR includes a review about a book
of interest to troubled company professionals. All titles are
available at your local bookstore or through Amazon.com. Go to
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*********
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-
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Godinez, and Pius Xerxes Tovilla, Editors.
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. ISSN 1529-2754.
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