Business News
ABITIBIBOWATER FILING FOR CREDITOR PROTECTION IN U.S. AND CANADA
Friday 17. April 2009 - - AbitibiBowater filing for creditor protection under Chapter 11 and CCAA - Day-to-day operations to continue during restructuring process - DIP financing and continuation of existing receivables securitization program will allow the Company to meet its current operating needs
AbitibiBowater Inc. (“AbitibiBowater” or the “Company”) today announced that it and certain of its U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions in the United States under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (“Chapter 11”). As well, AbitibiBowater and certain of its Canadian subsidiaries will seek creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (“CCAA”) in Canada. The Company intends to file in Canada on April 17, 2009. AbitibiBowater’s subsidiaries located outside the United States and Canada have not commenced Chapter 11, CCAA or similar proceedings.
The Company has concluded that there are no viable alternatives to its previously announced proposed refinancing of its Bowater and Abitibi-Consolidated subsidiaries, and as a result has determined that the best course of action is to pursue its overall restructuring under Court supervision in the United States and Canada. Concurrently with its CCAA filing, the Abitibi-Consolidated subsidiary will request the termination of its previously announced recapitalization transaction under the Canada Business Corporations Act.
AbitibiBowater plans to use this process to deal decisively with its debt burden for the benefit of all stakeholders. The Company’s normal day-to-day operations will continue during the restructuring process.
AbitibiBowater’s Board of Directors has, after careful deliberation, consultation with its advisors and extensive consideration of all other alternatives, resolved that the Company take this action in the long-term interests of AbitibiBowater, its employees, customers and other stakeholders.
The Company has also announced that it has entered into a financing commitment with Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited and Avenue Management LLC for debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing totaling approximately $200 million for certain of its Bowater subsidiaries. In addition, its Abitibi-Consolidated subsidiary has entered into an amendment providing for the continuation of its existing securitization program for its accounts receivable, in the approximate amount of $210 million. These arrangements are subject to approval of the Courts in both the United States and Canada and will allow the Company to meet current operating needs, including wages, benefits and other operating expenses. Additional financing options are currently under consideration.
“Today’s announced decisions ensure business continuity for AbitibiBowater and were made only after all other viable options to recapitalize our long-term debt were exhausted,” stated David J. Paterson, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The steps we are taking today and the vote of confidence given to us by our restructuring financial partners will enable us to protect the value of the business for our many loyal employees, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.”
“Over many months, we undertook an exhaustive examination of the Company’s recapitalization options,” said Dick Evans, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “The Board and management believe the actions initiated today will allow the Company to make the necessary changes to ensure the long-term viability of the Company within a process that ensures fair and equitable treatment for all stakeholders, while allowing it to continue to meet the needs of its customers.”
The Company’s financial advisors are Blackstone Advisory Services LP and BMO Capital Markets and its legal advisors are Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Rice LLP, Stikeman Elliott LLP and Troutman Sanders LLP.