The fact that more businesses have not failed is the most surprising thing about the Covid-19 pandemic. However, if you look at the fashion retail sector alone, the list of some of the high profile casualties is alarming: Arcadia Group, Bonmarché, Debenhams, DW Sports, Laura Ashley, M&Co, Monsoon, Moss Bros, Oasis and Warehouse, Peacock and Jaeger, TM Lewin and Victoria’s Secret (UK Business)… with more expected.
Every five years or so, the insolvency profession seems to try and wrestle with the public outcry about the use of so-called pre-packs. In its simplest terms, this is where “Widget Manufacturing Limited” goes into administration, and the very next day “Widget Manufacturing 2021 Limited” is operating the same business and being owned by the same shareholders. The only crucial difference is that several key liabilities (usually owed to landlords) are left behind in the insolvent business.
On April 26, 2021, Royal Blue Realty Holdings, Inc., a New York-based real estate company, filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (Case No. 21-10802). The company reports $1 million to $10 million in assets and $10 million to $50 million in liabilities.
On April 25, 2021, Secure Home Holdings LLC and various affiliates, which provide home security services and smart home automation to residential and small business customers, filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 21-10745). The company reports $100 million to $500 million in both assets liabilities.
On April 24, 2021, New York-based beachwear retailer L&L Wings, Inc., which operates 26 stores in the Carolinas, Florida, Texas and California, filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (Case No. 21-10795).
On April 24, 2021, Augustus Intelligence Inc., a New York based AI systems developer, filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 21-10744). The company reports $10 million to $50 million in assets and $1 million to $10 million in liabilities.
Late on April 20, 2021, Texas-based WB Supply LLC, one of the largest privately held pipe and supply companies in the United States, filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 21-10729). The company reports $10 million to $50 million in both assets and liabilities.
Late on April 19, 2021, Wilmington, Del.-based non-profit Connections Community Support Programs, Inc. (“CCSP”), which provides psychiatric/behavioral health services, substance use disorder treatment, housing and veterans’ services, intellectual disabilities services and operation support services, filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 21-10723).
On April 12, 2021, Automotores Gildemeister SpA of Santiago, Chile filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (Case No. 21-10685) along with several affiliates. The corporate minutes accompanying the petition indicate that the company contemplates a prepackaged chapter 11 filing.
Late on April 5, 2021, TECT Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc., along with certain affiliates that manufacture high precision components and assemblies for the aerospace industry, filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 21-10670).