Pre-pack liquidation
A pre-pack liquidation is a commonly used, informal term in which a newly-formed company (sometimes referred to as a phoenix) purchases the assets of an existing company which is then liquidated.
When is a pre-pack liquidation appropriate?
To start the process of a pre-pack liquidation, a company must be considered insolvent and under pressure from creditors. Where it may be possible to trade out of the situation, other insolvency procedures such as a CVA or refinancing may be more appropriate.
However, if it is clear that the company has a profitable core business, but pressure from creditors is threatening its existence, then a pre-pack liquidation could be the way forward. Pre-pack liquidation may be appropriate where the company:
- Has a good business model with a full order book but has severe cash flow problems.
- Is suffering from creditor pressure that could result in the seizing of assets or other actions.
- Can be profitable but is hampered by historical debts.
- Has suffered a bad debt and this has affected the health of the company.
Your company may qualify for a pre-pack liquidation if it is unable to repay debts as and when they fall due but crucially the core business is still profitable.
What are the benefits of a pre-pack liquidation?
A pre-pack liquidation enables the business to continue through a phoenix company and provides a swift secure and planned transition of the business. Importantly it can provide a better return for creditors, rather than a straightforward liquidation. Creditors may not see a return on certain intangible assets, but they can recover funds on sales such as goodwill, websites and databases. The newco, will also be free of all debts related to oldco and will have the possibility of employing some staff who were previously employed by the old company.
In theory a pre-pack liquidation has lots of benefits. Without the burden of historical debts, the newco should have a much greater chance of survival, with any new investments being used to fund operations of the new company as opposed to settling debts.
How does the pre-pack liquidation process work?
The pre-pack liquidation process is relatively simple and straightforward for the majority of companies which go through this procedure. The process is very similar to that of a CVL, however, it has one major difference.
Like most formal insolvency procedures, it begins by meeting with a consultant and going through what’s involved. After this, an insolvency practitioner will be formally engaged and act as your proposed liquidator who will then deal with any letters and phone calls from creditors. The insolvency practitioner will then write to your creditors and provide details of date, time and place in order to arrange a creditors’ meeting. Since the Insolvency Rules 2016, physical meetings are the exception and instead virtual meetings using such as video links or conference calls are the norm unless creditors object. Decision-making can be made in a variety of ways including the use of electronic voting or correspondence.
Creditors must have at least seven days’ notice and shareholders 14 days. Seven days prior to the meeting there must be advertisement in the London Gazette. As part of the liquidation process, directors should prepare a Statement of Affairs, which the insolvency practitioner will help with, so it’s ready to present at the creditors’ meeting.
There will be two separate meetings which take place. The first, a shareholder meeting passes a special resolution which requires a minimum of 75% of the members present to approve. In this meeting they will consider who to appoint as liquidator and consider resolutions to put the company into a CVL. After the shareholders meeting, there will then be a creditors’ meeting, where they will then cast a vote over the appointment of the liquidator. There must be over a 50% majority for the decision of liquidator.
Once the liquidator is appointed, he will carry out all normal duties, except carrying out the realisation of company assets, which should have already been done in a pre-pack liquidation by shareholders. The liquidator will consider company activities in the period prior to the liquidation to ensure that any asset disposals have been made at market value in the circumstances, to ensure the best return to creditors has been achieved.
The use of a pre-pack liquidation, allowing you to set up a phoenix company is perfectly legal. Following the formal insolvency process which sees the oldco closed down, all regulations will have been met and all creditors will have been appropriately dealt with. Directors of the newco must acquire all assets at market value, as setting up a phoenix company to transfer assets from an insolvent company for a reduced fee would be classed as a fraudulent transfer.
Can you use the same name as the previous company?
In certain circumstances you are able to use the same, or a very similar name as the previously liquidated company. There are strict regulations which must be met before you can use the same trading name as before. If the criteria are not met, it can result in fines, loss of limited liability and the possibility of a prison sentence. When deciding on the company name, it is important to seek advice from a solicitor first, so any necessary regulations can be met.
In summary
Pre-pack liquidation is a formal insolvency procedure, which essentially closes down an old company, whilst opening up a new business in its ashes. It carries a very similar formula to a CVL, with a few differences that enable a new company to start trading under a different name.
How we can help
If you’re looking to start the process of a pre-pack liquidation, one of our licensed insolvency practitioners will be able to take you through the process and discuss if it’s the right option for your business. If appointed as liquidators, we will put in place any processes that need to be completed in order to close the old company and open the new company.
Case Studies
M J Squire Limited
Kelly Burton • Construction & Engineering • Creditors' Voluntary Liquidation (CVL)
A bespoke joiners and shop fitters in Sheffield, M J Squire Limited, had been in its trade for more than 30 years.
However, recently it has been forced to close due to the downturn in the construction and retail industry.
The company was located at Orgreave Close in Sheffield, after working for many household names over the years including House of Fraser, Levi’s, Austin Reed and Tommy Hilfiger.
Until 2014, it had been a profitable company but over the past couple of years, it had been unable to secure profitable contracts.
February 10th, 2016 saw the appointment of Wilson Field’s Andy Wood and Robert Dymond as liquidators. This development for the company came as a result of suffering cash flow problems.
Operations at M J Squire Limited have now ceased and regrettably, all nine roles within the company were made redundant.
Andy Wood, insolvency practitioner from Wilson Field, spoke about his work on this case.
“Declining sales at M J Squires significantly impacted cash flow and the business’ ability to meet its liabilities. In the face of tough market conditions, the director has taken the difficult decision not to continue trading. The business has closed and the assets are being sold.”
“It is very sad to see this well-known local business cease to trade after over 30 years. The downturn in the retail sector has hit this business hard.”
Consortia Service Group
Kelly Burton • Service Agency • Pre-Pack Administration
A Cardiff security specialist has been bought out of administration saving all 44 jobs.
Zenith Security Specialists Limited was set up in 2009 providing manned CCTV security systems to national and private firms, local authorities and small businesses.
Trading as Consortia Service Group, the company was based at Cardiff Bay Business Centre and was taken over in January 2015 by director Ozma Nasir with a view to expanding the business.
Administrators Kelly Burton and Joanne Wright from Sheffield business turnaround experts Wilson Field were appointed joint administrators on 17 May after the company faced mounting pressure from HMRC in respect of PAYE and VAT arrears.
Miss Masir took advice from Wilson Field and the business was sold in a pre-pack administration to Consortia Services Group Limited as a going concern saving all 44 employees’ jobs.
Kelly Burton from Wilson Field said:
“Unfortunately, a number of the inherited on-going contracts were unprofitable. Despite attempts, the company did not have sufficient time to turnaround the business and was struggling to service both its on-going overheads and significant HMRC liabilities.
“Attempts were made to source further additional funding proved impossible and so the decision was taken to enter administration.
“Following discussions with the director, the business was sold as a going concern, safeguarding all 44 employees’ jobs and offering a better return for the company’s creditors than alternative options.
“The new company will be under the same management offering the same standards of service to its customers.”
Crane Hire Business
Kelly Burton • Construction & Engineering • Pre-Pack Administration
The directors of a previously profitable crane hire business approached Wilson Field for advice following a significant downturn in turnover. The drop-off was caused by the nationwide lockdowns following the outbreak of Covid-19.
The business relied upon several large UK-based housebuilders for its income, who were also negatively impacted by the government restrictions.
The Directors attempted to restructure the business to minimise overheads. However, a winding-up petition was issued during this time, and with no funds available to pay the debt due, the Directors approached Wilson Field to explore the option of a pre-packaged administration.
After an extensive marketing period, a sale of the business and assets was achieved to an associated company and saved all the jobs at the business.
Director and insolvency practitioner Kelly Burton said:
“The business was severely impacted when the country went into lockdown as lots of regular clients, were themselves unable to work and generate income. However, after working with the directors, we arranged a pre-pack administration, which saw the business and assets purchased, with all of the company’s employees keeping their jobs.”
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