26th
December 2007 - Bankruptcy
Court Confirms Dana's Plan of Reorganization
Paves Way for
Fundamentally Improved Company to Exit Chapter 11 in January
Dana Corporation announced today that
Judge Burton R. Lifland of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern
District of New York has signed an order confirming the company's Plan
of Reorganization. The action paves the way for Dana's emergence from
Chapter 11 reorganization, which it expects to occur in January 2008,
after the closing of the company's $2.0 billion exit financing facility
and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
"This is a significant milestone for Dana
and all of its constituents," said Dana Chairman and CEO Mike Burns.
"The approved plan provides a solid foundation for the new Dana. We now
look forward to emerging as a focused, solvent company that is
positioned to take advantage of its considerable strengths and compete
successfully in its global markets."
Dana entered Chapter 11 reorganization on
March 3, 2006. During the ensuing 21 months, the company and its
constituents identified, agreed upon, and won court approval for
approximately $440 million to $475 million in annual cost savings and
revenue improvement. These annual savings were derived primarily from
enhancing its product profitability, optimizing its manufacturing
footprint, reducing labor costs and benefit changes, eliminating ongoing
obligations for retiree health and welfare costs, and achieving further
reductions in administrative expenses.
"From the outset of this process, we said
that fundamental -- not incremental -- change was critical to Dana's
future success," Burns said. "I am pleased to say that we have achieved
this goal due in large part to the enormous efforts of our resilient
employees around the world and the talented team of advisers who have
helped bring us to this point. Similarly, we are grateful for the
support and partnership demonstrated by many other constituents involved
in this very complex process, including our customers, suppliers, and
members of the communities in which Dana people live and work."
About Dana Corporation
Dana is a world leader in the supply of
axles; driveshafts; and structural, sealing, and thermal-management
products; as well as genuine service parts.
The company's customer base includes
virtually every major vehicle and engine manufacturer in the global
automotive, commercial vehicle, and off-highway markets, which
collectively produce more than 70 million vehicles annually.
Based in Toledo, Ohio, the company's
continuing operations employ approximately 35,000 people in 26 countries
and reported 2006 sales of $8.5 billion, with more than half of this
revenue derived from outside the United States. For more information,
please visit: www.dana.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements and projections
contained in this news release are, by their nature, forward-looking
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These forward-looking statements and projections are subject to
uncertainties relating to the successful emergence of the company from
bankruptcy and consummation of the financing transactions contemplated
by its exit financing commitments, and a number of other risks,
uncertainties and assumptions (including, but not limited to, the
debtors' operations and business environment, the effects of the
debtors' Chapter 11 reorganization and the conduct, outcome, and costs
of the Chapter 11 cases), which are difficult to predict and which are,
in many cases, beyond the debtors' control. In light of these risks and
uncertainties, the events and circumstances described in the
forward-looking statements and projections in the news release may not
occur and the debtors' actual financial results could differ materially
from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements and
projections. Dana does not undertake to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements or projections contained in the news release,
whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Source: Dana Corporation Press Release