Bankruptcy

Atlanta Based Spectrum Brands Files Chapter 11 In Texas

By Scott Riddle

Spectrum Brands, Inc., the Atlanta-based manufacturer of Ray-o-vac, Remington, Spectracide, Cutter, Repel and other well-known brands, has filed a Chapter 11 petition in the Western District of Texas.

Click here for the company's press release:

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Spectrum Brands (PINK SHEETS: SPCB - News) today announced that it has reached agreements with noteholders representing, in the aggregate, approximately 70% of the face value of its outstanding bonds, to pursue a refinancing that, if implemented as proposed, will significantly reduce the Company's outstanding debt and put the Company in a stronger financial position for the future. A refinancing on the agreed terms would enable Spectrum Brands to reduce the amount of debt on its balance sheet by approximately $840 million (or approximately one-third), eliminate approximately $95 million in annual cash interest payments for at least each of the next two years, and free up additional cash that can be reinvested in its business to support meaningful revenue and profit growth. The Company currently has outstanding indebtedness of approximately $2.6 billion.

To implement the refinancing in the most efficient manner and to take advantage of certain tax benefits, Spectrum Brands and its U.S. subsidiaries today filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division. The Company's non-U.S. operations, which are legally separate, are not included in the Chapter 11 proceedings....

Click here for an article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle:

"Our businesses have attractive growth prospects that have been encumbered by the level of debt the parent company is carrying,” said Kent Hussey, CEO of Spectrum Brands, in a prepared statement. “After careful consideration, we decided that the approach announced today would be the most effective and expedient path for us to develop a more appropriate capital structure to support our long-term business objectives. We estimate that when this refinancing has been completed, the company will generate in excess of $100 million in annual free cash flow."...

Full post as published by Georgia Bankruptcy Blog on February 04, 2009 (boomark / email).