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Friday, Jan 25, 2013 7:15 PM UTC

Hawker Beechcraft closer to bankruptcy emergence

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Topics: From the Wires,

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas plane maker Hawker Beechcraft said Friday that its key creditors overwhelmingly backed a proposed reorganization plan in a vote that moves the company closer to emerging from bankruptcy protection as early as next month.

The Wichita-based company said that it will seek court approval to exit bankruptcy a hearing Thursday and expects to emerge from Chapter 11 in the second half of February.

It also has secured an underwriting commitment for $600 million in exit financing consisting of a term loan and revolving line of credit from JPMorgan Chase Bank and Credit Suisse.

“”The tremendous show of support of our creditors for the Plan, which will dramatically reduce Hawker Beechcraft’s debt load, and the financing commitment from JPMorgan and Credit Suisse mark an important milestone for the company as it moves closer to emerging from the restructuring process,” CEO Robert “Steve” Miller said in a news release.

The slimmed down company — which plans to rename itself Beechcraft Corp. — will focus on more profitable turboprop, piston, special mission and military aircraft, as well as its parts, maintenance, repairs and refurbishment business.

Under the reorganization plan, secured bank debt incurred before the bankruptcy as well as unsecured bond debt and certain general unsecured claims will be cancelled with those creditors receiving equity in the reorganized company. A board appointed by the new owners will take over once the company emerges from bankruptcy protection.

“The reorganized Beechcraft Corporation will emerge from this process in a strong operational and financial position, with the working capital and flexibility to execute a strategy built around our core products like the world-renowned King Air twin engine turboprop and the T-6 military training aircraft, which will enable the company to compete well into the future,” said Bill Boisture, chairman of Hawker Beechcraft Corp.

Hawker Beechcraft, owned by Onex Partners and GS Capital Partners, filed for bankruptcy protection in May. It has struggled with the sluggish business jet market more than other plane makers. It was purchased in 2007 in a highly leveraged deal just before the general aviation market tanked.

In addition to its Wichita headquarters, the company has factories in Little Rock, Ark., the United Kingdom and Mexico, as well as more than 100 service centers worldwide.

Hawker Beechcraft traces its Kansas roots to Beech Aircraft Corp., a company founded by Walter and Olive Ann Beech that began making aircraft in the 1930s.

More By Roxana Hegeman.

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