Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) or administration?
When a company is struggling to keep up with paying its liabilities, creditor pressure can lead directors to pursue formal insolvency procedures. Two common choices for directors who wish to continue with their business include Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs) and administration. Whether a CVA or administration is the most suitable option for your company will likely depend on its financial resources and the business’ viability in its current structure.
Company Voluntary Arrangements
One of the most popular insolvency arrangements, a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) is a formal debt repayment scheme, combining all its unsecured debts into one compounded monthly sum. All interest and creditor pressure freeze for arrangement’s duration; often five years. Once the arrangement concludes, all remaining debt is written off.
More information about Company Voluntary ArrangementsAdministration
Administration is an insolvency process that protects companies from creditor action. It allows time to decide the best course of action for the company, be that selling it and its assets or producing a restructuring plan.
More information on administration
CVAs or Administration, how do they work?
CVAs consolidate all your company’s unsecured debts into one monthly outgoing tailored to what you can afford. Interest on debts is frozen for the arrangement’s duration, and any creditor pressure alleviated. The arrangement usually lasts five years, and after the final payment, any remaining unsecured debt is written off.
Administration is also a formal insolvency process. It involves a licensed insolvency practitioner (IP) taking control of the company, making the necessary changes to remove elements that have become unprofitable. One of the main goals of administration is to achieve better results for the creditors than if the company were to be wound up. While in control, the IP may choose to restructure the business or get it into a position where it could be sold. Creditor pressure ceases for the administration’s duration.
When do they work best?
Applying for a CVA would be more suitable for when the company’s core business is viable, but its debts risk pushing it into insolvency. The process allows the company to continue trading while repaying its debts, without the need for major restructuring. The process offers the company a sense of continuity while allowing time to pay off or reduce its debts. CVAs can also be useful if the insolvent company can’t meet the costs of an administration or the funds to buy back the assets in a pre-pack. CVAs also work if you wish to nullify some burdensome company contracts but keep the more beneficial ones.
How to apply for a CVAAdministration may be a more practical solution if the company doesn’t have the funds to repay its debts, company assets are at risk, or if creditors have rejected a proposed CVA. They may act as a feasible backup plan if a CVA fails, or more substantial restructuring is needed outside of repaying the debts.
We’d recommend administration where there is evidence that: the company can be rescued as a going concern, the process would achieve better results than if the company were wound up, or property and assets can be realised to distribute to secured or preferential creditors.
How to put your company into administrationIn summary
Both Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs) and administrations are formal insolvency arrangements for limited companies struggling from high levels of debt and creditor pressure.
A CVA will be appropriate if a company would be viable if not for its financial issues, which it could recover from if given time and guidance.
If a CVA won’t rectify the underlying financial issues, administration is an alternative which protects against creditor action. Undergoing administration relieves the creditor pressure and allows us to look at restructuring the company, removing the unprofitable elements, and allowing some breathing space while deciding the next course of action.
How we can help
If your company is struggling with intense creditor pressure and severe debts, speak to us before the situation becomes unmanageable. We can assess the company’s current situation and structure to decide which route out of insolvency is right for your business. All initial consultations are free of charge and obligation, and our friendly advisors are on hand to offer regulated, impartial advice.
Case Studies
Statestrong Limited
Kelly Burton • Manufacturing • Administration, Creditors Voluntary Liquidation (CVL)
Insolvency experts Wilson Field has helped turnaround the fortunes of a loss-making manufacturing company in Lancashire providing a new future for its 80 employees.
Businessman Russell Blaikie acquired the struggling 40-year-old Statestrong Limited, headquartered in Lytham St Annes, through a pre-pack sale and has been able to help the company immediately utilising his expertise in manufacturing and management.
Arrangements for the purchase of Statestrong’s business and assets were negotiated by Sheffield business specialists Wilson Field who affected the sale shortly after being appointed.
The company, which manufactures and supplies aerosol and liquid products for use in health and beauty, household, automotive and industry globally, posted sales of £12m last financial year, but had suffered pressure from creditors with outstanding arrears.
The total value of the deal is undisclosed but includes the business and the assets of the company based on Boundary Road in Lytham St Annes and Tarporley in Cheshire, which will now trade as Statestrong Products Limited.
Mr Blaikie said:
“Transactions of this nature are sensitive and require careful handling. The team at Wilson Field provided exactly the right professional approach.”
Wilson Field’s insolvency practitioners Kelly Burton and Joanne Wright worked closely with Mr Blaikie along with senior corporate case administrator Gareth Kinneavy.
Kelly Burton, said:
“The company had a wealth of expertise but was straddled with financial liabilities which ultimately made its future questionable. Looking forward, a previously distressed business now has a viable future.”
Silcox Coach Company
Kelly Burton • Automotive • Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA)
Pembrokeshire-based Silcox Coach Company, which operates school transport as well as local bus services, has been placed into administration today.
Despite attempts by administrators from Sheffield-based Wilson Field to secure a buyer with various interested parties, the 134-year-old company, which operated a fleet of 65 coaches and buses from its base in Pembroke Dock, has now ceased trading.
Insolvency practitioners Kelly Burton and Joanne Wright from Wilson Field Limited were appointed by shareholders after the company experienced financial difficulties and as a result all 92 staff jobs have been made redundant.
However, in the region of 50 staff have been re-employed by Edwards Coaches of Pontypridd who have been granted the local authority contracts previously operated by Silcox.
Kelly Burton, director and insolvency practitioner at Wilson Field said:
“Silcox Coaches was a fourth generation bus and coach operator and over the years provided various forms of transport services latterly focussing local authority community bus routes, school services, coach hire and coaching holidays.
“The company had an excellent reputation within the industry, the local community and its clients. Initially there were a number of parties interested in buying the business and assets and we had hoped to save all the jobs of the loyal workforce. Sadly, despite our best efforts none of these came to fruition. On the positive side, Edwards Coaches of Pontypridd have re-employed approximately 50 of those staff.”
As well as office accommodation in Pembroke Dock, Silcox also occupied a small travel office in Tenby and a large bus and coach compound near the offices in Pembroke Dock.
Edwards Coaches is the largest family owned coach company in Wales employing over 500 staff and operating 260 vehicles. It currently operates National Express coaches from Haverfordwest departing daily to Cardiff, Heathrow, Gatwick London and various other destinations plus transportation for over 8000 students to school or college each day from bus depots all over South Wales.
It also operates coach holidays for 80,000 passengers a year across the UK and Europe and operates The Edwards’ Red Dragon coach which is the official carrier of the Wales Rugby Team.
Travellers who have booked and pre-paid for a holiday with Silcox may be entitled to a refund and should contact either Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) e-mail: bch@cpt-uk.org or The Confederation of Passenger Holidays UK (CPT) Tel: 020 7240 3131.
Precision Engineering Business
Kelly Burton • Construction & Engineering • Administration
A bespoke precision engineering business, working predominantly in the automotive and aeronautical sectors, found itself experiencing cashflow difficulties caused by an increase in costs due to the uncertainties surrounding Brexit, and the loss of a key member of the sales team.
When the company’s largest customer reduced its spending by 50%, the director felt the business couldn’t continue and sought advice from the team at Wilson Field.
Wilson Field marketed the business and assets for sale, and a sale of the tangible assets was completed immediately following the administrators appointment, to an unconnected third party.
Kelly Burton, insolvency practitioner and director at Wilson Field, said:
“With so many complications surrounding Brexit, coupled with the loss of some key staff, the company experienced some cashflow difficulties it could not get out of.
There was a positive outcome in the end as some of the tangible assets within the company were sold, which meant a good return for creditors.”
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