US hedge funds Oaktree Capital and Centerbridge Partners have lined
up a senior surf industry executive to take the reins at Billabong
International if their $395 million recapitalisation plan is approved.
Oaktree and Centerbridge are trying to convince the Billabong board
that their recapitalisation plan is superior to that offered by the
Altamont consortium in not only financial terms but in management
expertise and strategy.
The board has previously indicated it favours a $325 million debt and
equity proposal from the Altamont consortium because it offers a total
solution to Billabong’s problems, including a long-term turnaround plan
and a new management team led by former Oakley chief executive, Scott
Olivet.
But Oaktree and Centerbridge claim their proposal is superior because
it would leave the company with less debt, interest costs would be
lower, they are offering more for Billabong shares and the plan would be
less dilutive to minority shareholders.
They also claim to have lined up a list of experienced surf, ski and
skate industry executives who are prepared to join the Billabong team
and plug gaps in the ranks after an exodus of senior staff.
Some of these staff have left to join Paul Naude, the former head of
Billabong’s Americas division, who plans to set up a rival surf wear
brand.
However, Oaktree and Centerbridge are not in a position to publicly
name their proposed chief executive because he has not given notice to
his existing employer, sources said.
Read the full story at The Australian Financial Review.
By Sue Mitchell, brw.com.au
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire