Poland’s Central European Distribution Corp (CEDC.O), seeking to reduce its debt load, has filed for a pre-packaged bankruptcy that will give Russian businessman Roustam Tariko full control of the vodka producer, a court filing showed.

CEDC, which makes Absolwent and Parliament vodka and is a market leader in Russia, Hungary and Poland, has struggled with financial problems and the resignation of its chief executive.

A spat with Tariko ended last December when it ceded operational control to him in exchange for up to $65 million (42 million pounds) in funding.
The Chapter 11 restructuring plan, which was approved by the company’s creditors, will slash about $665.2 million in debt from the company’s balance sheet.

The filing showed CEDC had liabilities of $1.74 billion and assets of $1.98 billion.

If Delaware’s bankruptcy court approves the plan, Tariko’s Roust Trading will end up owning 100 percent of the company’s outstanding stock.

Holders of the existing 2016 notes which have claims totalling $982.2 million, will receive $822 million, consisting of $172 million in cash, $450 million in new secured notes and $200 million in new convertible notes.

Holders of 2013 notes who participate in the plan, will receive about $55 million, comprised of $25 million in cash and $30 million in secured notes issued by Roust Trading, resulting in an estimated recovery of 35.4 percent.

In a prepackaged bankruptcy, management negotiates the general terms of a bankruptcy plan with major creditors prior to the filing.

The case is Central European Distribution Corp et al, Case No. 13-10738, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware.

Source: Reuters

https://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/04/08/uk-cedc-bankruptcy-idUKBRE93703L20130408

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