INKSTER, MI --
EaglePicher Incorporated (EPI) and its U.S. subsidiaries have successfully completed their Chapter 11 restructuring process. On Aug. 1, pursuant to their confirmed plan of reorganization, substantially all the assets of EPI and its U.S. subsidiaries will be transferred to the newly formed EaglePicher Corp. (EPC) and its subsidiaries.
EPI and its U.S. subsidiaries filed Chapter 11 petitions in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio in Cincinnati on April 11, 2005.
On Dec. 30, 2005, EPI obtained new debtor-in-possession credit
facilities consisting of a $230 million first lien facility, which includes
a $70 million revolving credit facility and a $160 million term loan; a $65
million second lien term loan and a $50 million third lien term loan. These
credit facilities converted into financing for EPC and provided sufficient
funding to complete the reorganization and operate the company into the
future.
The company said the principal issues that drove EPI into bankruptcy were a
significant drop off in operations performance in several divisions
(notably Hillsdale Automotive), failed investment in joint ventures
compounded by a high level of debt (more than $500 million).
Through its restructuring, EPI aggressively tackled these issues
resulting in reduced debt requiring cash interest from more than $500 million to
$230 million, reduced corporate overhead costs by more than $5 million annually,
will have invested through 2006 approximately $30 million in operational
improvements and business growth (100 percent in EPI's wholly owned business
units), and implemented operational improvements including substantial
quality enhancements, increased customer satisfaction metrics, increased
productivity measurements and significantly reduced employee turnover. As a
result of these efforts, business has increased in most of its divisions.
EPC has entirely new ownership. Previously owned by Netherlands-based equity funds, EPC now has U.S. ownership, principally
affiliates of Angelo, Gordon & Company and Tennenbaum Capital Partners. EPC's operating companies include Hillsdale Automotive,
Wolverine Advanced Materials, EP Boron, EaglePicher Technologies, EP Medical Batteries, EP Pharmaceutical Services and EP Minerals.
EPC has relocated its headquarters to Southeastern Michigan from Phoenix, AZ. The corporate staff is currently co-located in Inkster, MI, with the headquarters for EPC companies Hillsdale Automotive and Wolverine Advanced Materials.
David Treadwell has been named president and chief executive officer (CEO) of EPC. He joined EPI in July 2005 as president of EaglePicher Hillsdale Division. In November 2005 he also assumed the position of chief executive officer of EPI.
Treadwell has earned a solid reputation for working companies through
transitions. Most recently, he served as CEO of Oxford Automotive, where he
led the $1 billion Tier 1 automotive supplier through a successful
restructuring process.
His experience spans more than 20 years. He began his career with the
late Heinz Prechter in his automotive, publishing and real estate groups.
As CEO of Prechter Holdings, Treadwell was responsible for overall
operations, acquisitions and divestitures. Treadwell led the successful
divestiture and wrap up of Prechter Holdings after the death of Prechter.
Donald Runkle former vice chairman and chief technology officer (CTO) of Delphi Corp., has been
named non-executive chairman of EPC. Runkle currently consults for private
equity firms, Solectron, and high-tech corporations, and serves as a
director of Automotive Acquisition Corp., a private placement firm.
As Delphi Vice Chairman, Runkle was the senior executive for deploying
lean principles, streamlining and integrating engineering, manufacturing
and purchasing. He served on the board of directors and strategy board. As
CTO, Runkle was responsible for research and development and global supply
management.
Runkle began his career as a co-op student at Eastman Kodak and Ford
Motor Company. Following graduation, he joined General Motors, where he
held a variety of positions, including vice president and general manager,
Energy and Engine Management Division. Under his leadership, countless
product innovations were introduced and many national racing championships
were won including Car of the Year and Top Ten Engines. In 1998/99, Runkle
co-led the IPO and spin-off of Delphi from General Motors.
Also serving on the EPC board of directors are the following:
-- David Treadwell, president and CEO of EPC;
-- James Gaffney, former CEO of General Aquatics/KDI Corp.;
-- Edward Horowitz, president and CEO of SES-Americon;
-- General Ron Yates (Ret.), former commander of both Air Force Systems Command and Air Force Material Command;
-- Richard Bermingham, residential real estate developer and private
investor;
-- Todd Arden, partner, Angelo, Gordon & Co.; and
-- Mark Holdsworth, managing partner, Tennenbaum Capital Partners.
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