DURA Automotive Evaluates Strategic Alternatives for Atwood Group.Company explores growth and divestiture The breakup of AT&T. By federal court order, AT&T divested itself on January 1, 1984 of its 23 operating companies, which became known as the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs). options ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. -- DURA Automotive Systems Dura Automotive Systems (Pink Sheets: DRRAQ), headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan, USA was ranked in the 2006 Fortune 1000. It is engaged in the business of manufacturing and distribution of automotive components. , Inc. (Pink Sheets:DRRAQ), today announced that it is exploring strategic alternatives for its Atwood Mobile Products division, headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana. DURA has engaged Miller Buckfire as its exclusive financial advisor in connection with the strategic evaluation, including solicitation of interest from prospective acquirers of Atwood Mobile Products, Inc. In consultation with its financial advisor, DURA will consider whether a sale or a growth strategy would maximize Atwood's financial contribution to the company. With 2006 sales of approximately $330 million, Atwood offers a broad range of products to the recreation vehicle (RV), specialty vehicle and manufactured housing Manufactured housing (also known as prefab housing) is a type of housing unit that is largely assembled in factories and then transported to sites of use. In the United States, the term "manufactured home" specifically refers to a house built entirely in a protected markets. The division's products encompass windows and doors, specialty glass, hardware appliances and electronics. Founded in 1909, Atwood was acquired by automotive supplier Excel Industries, which was then acquired by DURA in 1999. "Atwood enjoys leading market positions in each of its product categories based on a reputation for product innovation, quality manufacturing and superior customer service," said Larry Denton, DURA's chairman and chief executive officer. "While the group is profitable and growing, we believe it is in the best interests of our shareholders, customers and employees to conduct a full review of strategic alternatives with respect to Atwood, including evaluation of further growth alternatives and divestiture options." Atwood provides the most extensive product line of any supplier to the recreation vehicle industry, with more than 90 percent of the recreation vehicles on the road today using Atwood products. The RV industry has experienced consistent historical growth, with RV ownership currently at record levels. Industry trends point toward significant future growth due to favorable population demographics and increasing purchase interest. On October 30, 2006, DURA Automotive Systems, Inc., and its domestic and Canadian affiliates filed voluntary petitions for protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code Bankruptcy Code may refer to:
About Miller Buckfire Miller Buckfire is a leading independent investment bank providing strategic and financial advisory services advisory services advisory services provided to the public, in their capacity as owners and managers of animals, are an important part of veterinary science. They may be provided by government bureaux, by commercial companies who deal in pharmaceuticals or animals or animal focusing on complex restructuring transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and equity and debt financing Debt Financing When a firm raises money for working capital or capital expenditures by selling bonds, bills, or notes to individual and/or institutional investors. In return for lending the money, the individuals or institutions become creditors and receive a promise to repay . The firm was formed in July 2002 when the financial restructuring group at Dresdner Kleinwort Dresdner Kleinwort (DKIB) is the investment bank of Dresdner Bank AG, part of Allianz since July 2001. Headquartered in London and Frankfurt and with an international network including offices in the financial centres of New York and Tokyo, Dresdner Kleinwort provides a wide range Wasserstein spun off as an independent entity. Miller Buckfire's professionals have successfully restructured more than $180 billion in debt, advised on M&A transactions valued at over $14 billion and advised on financings involving over $29 billion. The firm is based in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of . Additional information about Miller Buckfire can be found at www.millerbuckfire.com. About Atwood Mobile Products, Inc. Atwood is a leading designer and manufacturer of a broad range of window, glass, aluminum, appliance and electronic products for recreation vehicles (RVs), specialty vehicles, manufactured housing and associated niche markets. Atwood's core products include windows, doors, specialty glass products, water heaters, furnaces, ranges, electronic control systems, converters and seating systems designed to meet specific customer demands. Atwood provides its comprehensive product line to a diverse set of customers including market leaders Thor Industries Thor Industries, Inc. is a manufacturer of recreation vehicles and mid-sized commercial buses. History Thor Industries, Inc., was founded on August 29, 1980, when Wade F. B. Thompson and Peter B. Orthwein acquired Airstream. , Fleetwood, Jayco, Gulfstream, Winnebago, Freightliner and Leer. Recognized as a leading supplier to the RV, specialty vehicle and manufactured housing industries, Atwood markets its products under its well-recognized Atwood, Creation, Kemberly, Wedgewood, Spec-Temp, DURALeg and Levelegs brands. Headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, Atwood has approximately 1,900 employees. About DURA Automotive Systems, Inc. DURA Automotive Systems, Inc., is a leading independent designer and manufacturer of driver control systems, seating control systems, glass systems, engineered assemblies, structural door modules and exterior trim systems for the global automotive industry The automotive industry is the industry involved in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of motor vehicles. In 2006, more than 69 million motor vehicles, including cars and commercial vehicles were produced worldwide. . The company is also a leading supplier of similar products to the recreation vehicle (RV) and specialty vehicle industries. DURA markets its automotive products to every North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. , Asian and European original equipment manufacturer (OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) The rebranding of equipment and selling it. The term initially referred to the company that made the products (the "original" manufacturer), but eventually became widely used to refer to the organization that buys the products and ) and many leading Tier 1 automotive suppliers. DURA is headquartered in Rochester Hills, Mich. Information about DURA and its products is available on the Internet at www.duraauto.com. Forward-looking Statements This press release, as well as other statements made by DURA may contain forward-looking statements within the "safe harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. " provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995, that reflect, when made, the company's current views with respect to current events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be, as the case may be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to relating to relate prep → concernant relating to relate prep → bezüglich +gen, mit Bezug auf +acc the company's operations and business environment which may cause the actual results of the company to be materially different from any future results, express or implied, by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) the ability of the company to continue as a going concern; (ii) the ability of the company to operate pursuant to the terms of the debtor-in-possession ("DIP") financing facility; (iii) the company's ability to obtain court approval with respect to motions in the chapter 11 proceeding prosecuted by it from time to time; (iv) the ability of the company to develop, prosecute, confirm and consummate one or more plans of reorganization with respect to the Chapter 11 cases; (iv) risks associated with third parties seeking and obtaining court approval to terminate or shorten the exclusivity period for the company to propose and confirm one or more plans of reorganization, for the appointment of a chapter 11 trustee or to convert the cases to chapter 7 cases; (v) the ability of the company to obtain and maintain normal terms with vendors and service providers; (vi) the company's ability to maintain contracts that are critical to its operations; (vii) the potential adverse impact of the Chapter 11 cases on the company's liquidity or results of operations; (viii) the ability of the company to execute its business plans, and strategy, including the operational restructuring initially announced in February 2006, and to do so in a timely fashion; (ix) the ability of the company to attract, motivate and/or retain key executives and associates; (x) the ability of the company to avoid or continue to operate during a strike, or partial work stoppage or slow down by any of its unionized employees; (x) general economic or business conditions affecting the automotive industry (which is dependent on consumer spending Consumer demand or consumption is also known as personal consumption expenditure. It is the largest part of aggregate demand or effective demand at the macroeconomic level. ), either nationally or regionally, being less favorable than expected; and (xi) increased competition in the automotive components supply market. Other risk factors are listed from time to time in the company's United States Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including, but not limited to the Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. for the year ended December 31, 2005. DURA disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events and/or otherwise. Similarly, these and other factors, including the terms of any reorganization plan A scheme authorized by federal law and promulgated by the president whereby he or she alters the structure of federal agencies to promote government efficiency and economy through a transfer, consolidation, coordination, authorization, or abolition of functions. ultimately confirmed, can affect the value of the company's various pre-petition liabilities, common stock and/or other equity securities. Additionally, no assurance can be given as to what values, if any, will be ascribed in the bankruptcy proceedings bankruptcy proceedings n. the bankruptcy procedure is: a) filing a petition (voluntary or involuntary) to declare a debtor person or business bankrupt, or, under Chapter 11 or 13, to allow reorganization or refinancing under a plan to meet the debts of the party to each of these constituencies. A plan of reorganization could result in holders of DURA's common stock receiving no distribution on account of their interest and cancellation of their interests. Under certain conditions specified in the Bankruptcy Code, a plan of reorganization may be confirmed notwithstanding its rejection by an impaired class of creditors or equity holders and notwithstanding the fact that equity holders do not receive or retain property on account of their equity interests under the plan. In light of the foregoing, the company considers the value of the common stock to be highly speculative and cautions equity holders that the stock may ultimately be determined to have no value. Accordingly, the company urges that appropriate caution be exercised with respect to existing and future investments in DURA's common stock or other equity interests or any claims relating to pre-petition liabilities. |
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