New case on qualifying for Subchapter V in bankruptcy
In 2020, the Small Business Reorganization Act (SBRA) added Subchapter V to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Act, which changes or eliminates some of the Chapter 11 requirements, making it more debtor-friendly.
Bankruptcy Appeals Panel Affirms Confirmation of Chapter 11 Plan Despite Objection of Largest Unsecured Creditor
The debtor was a manufacturer of wet wipe cleaning products. It contracted with a new customer to manufacture wipes for the customer in the U.S. and to sell such wipes to the new customer. The customer failed to obtain EPA and state-level product registrations and refused to purchase manufactured wipes or to honor its commitments regarding loans to the debtor for new equipment leases and other costs to expand the debtor’s facilities to meet the demands of the contracts. The debtor ultimately filed for bankruptcy and delivered a Chapter 11 plan that included selling its assets. The Bankruptcy Court approved the plan. The creditor appealed the approval of the plan, but the appeals panel affirmed.
Albaad USA, Inc. v. GPMI, Co. (In re GPMI, Co.)
The debtor was a manufacturer of wet wipe cleaning products. It contracted with a new customer to manufacture wipes for the customer in the U.S. and to sell such wipes to the new customer. The customer failed to obtain EPA and state-level product registrations and refused to purchase manufactured wipes or to honor its commitments regarding loans to the debtor for new equipment leases and other costs to expand the debtor’s facilities to meet the demands of the contracts. The debtor ultimately filed for bankruptcy and delivered a Chapter 11 plan that included selling its assets. The Bankruptcy Court approved the plan. The creditor appealed the approval of the plan, but the appeals panel affirmed.
In re Hillman
The Bankruptcy Court decided and ordered on the issue of whether the debtor qualified as a “small business debtor” under subchapter V of Chapter 11. The court decided that, as of the petition date, the debtor was engaged in commercial or business activity in both of its business activities. The debtor met her burden of proof as qualifying under Subchapter V of Chapter 11.
Bankruptcy Court Decides on Debtor Qualification as a ‘Small Business’ Under Chapter 11
The Bankruptcy Court decided and ordered on the issue of whether the debtor qualified as a “small business debtor” under subchapter V of Chapter 11. The court decided that, as of the petition date, the debtor was engaged in commercial or business activity in both of its business activities. The debtor met her burden of proof as qualifying under Subchapter V of Chapter 11.
Appellate court rules on valuation of inventory in Sears bankruptcy
Sears (the Amazon of its day) recently emerged from bankruptcy after four years and thousands of court filings.
ESL Invs., L.P. v. Sears Holdings Corp. Debtor-Appellee (In re Sears Holdings Corp.)
Second-lien holders, entitled to payment only after the debts of first-lien holders have been discharged, argued that the value of the collateral that secured their claims, as measured on the petition date, vastly exceeded what they had been paid and that they were accordingly entitled to priority payment of the difference. At trial, all parties put on evidence as to the value of the assets at the petition date. The differences varied widely. “The differences among these values turned primarily on how the experts calculated the revenue Debtors could expect to earn from selling their inventory.” The appeal dealt primarily with this inventory issue and how it should be valued.
Valuation of Inventory Key to Decision on Collateral Value in Bankruptcy
Second-lien holders, entitled to payment only after the debts of first-lien holders have been discharged, argued that the value of the collateral that secured their claims, as measured on the petition date, vastly exceeded what they had been paid and that they were accordingly entitled to priority payment of the difference. At trial, all parties put on evidence as to the value of the assets at the petition date. The differences varied widely. “The differences among these values turned primarily on how the experts calculated the revenue Debtors could expect to earn from selling their inventory.” The appeal dealt primarily with this inventory issue and how it should be valued.
