27 Automotive Suppliers File Chapter 11 Bankruptcies in 2009; End of Year Status Summary; Likelihood of Bankruptcy Preference Recovery

Pressures in the global automotive industry forced 27 FN1 automotive parts and component manufacturers and 2 automakers to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2009.  The number of filings is only the headline of the story.  While estimated trade creditor distributions on prepetition claims swung the spectrum of 100% to 0%, estimated recoveries of less than 2 percent predominate.  And more trade creditor pain looms in several bankruptcies, as bankruptcy preference action recoveries are either included in liquidation budgets, are necessary to avoid administrative insolvency or are likely to be sought by plan administrators and liquidation trustees.

This article provides a comprehensive list of the 27 automotive supplier Chapter 11 bankruptcies in 2009, together with status at the end of 2009, estimated trade creditor recoveries and the potential for avoidance actions.

Contech U.S., LLC Bankruptcy – 503(b)(9) Claim Bar Date and Procedures

For any supplier and other bankruptcy creditor in the bankruptcy of Contech U.S., LLC [1], timely and properly filing an administrative expense claim under 11 USC § 503(b)(9) may provide the only prospect for payment of any portion of the creditors prepetition claims. Click this link for an article on this site discussing 503(b)(9), including answers to the most common questions regarding making these claims.

Contech Confirms there will be No Money for Unsecureds

Contech U.S. LLC and two affiliates, MAG Contech, LLC and Contech, LLC filed bankruptcy in Michigan on January 30, 2009 – another victim of the automotive sector downturn. The most unique aspect of the case has been the willingness of 5 automotive customers (Delphi, Ford, BMW, Linamar and Automotive Components Holdings) to provide $7,200,000 DIP financing to keep Contech manufacturing components until a buyer can be found. For the suppliers to and other unsecured trade creditors of Contech, there never seemed to be much to try and salvage. This was confirmed in a March 26, 2009 filing by Contech.

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