Virgin Orbit to Continue Sale Process Under Chapter 11 Protection
04 Avril 2023 - 7:53AM
Business Wire
Secures $31.6 million in Debtor in Possession Financing to Fund
the Process
Virgin Orbit Holdings, Inc. and its U.S. subsidiaries, (the
“Company” or “Virgin Orbit”), a responsive space launch provider,
announced today that it commenced a voluntary proceeding under
Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (“Chapter 11”) in the United
States Bankruptcy Court in the District of Delaware in order to
effectuate a sale of the business. With the support of Virgin
Investments Limited in the form of debtor-in-possession (“DIP”)
financing, Virgin Orbit intends to use the Chapter 11 process to
maximize value for its business and assets.
This announcement follows the Company’s previous statement about
reducing its workforce due to an inability to raise sufficient
out-of-court capital to continue operating its business at the
current run-rate.
“The team at Virgin Orbit has developed and brought into
operation a new and innovative method of launching satellites into
orbit, introducing new technology and managing great challenges and
great risks along the way as we proved the system and performed
several successful space flights – including successfully launching
33 satellites into their precise orbit. While we have taken great
efforts to address our financial position and secure additional
financing, we ultimately must do what is best for the business. We
believe that the cutting-edge launch technology that this team has
created will have wide appeal to buyers as we continue in the
process to sell the Company. At this stage, we believe that the
Chapter 11 process represents the best path forward to identify and
finalize an efficient and value-maximizing sale,” said Dan Hart,
CEO of Virgin Orbit.
“I’m incredibly grateful and proud of every one of our
teammates, both for the pioneering spirit of innovation they’ve
embodied and for their patience and professionalism as we’ve
managed through this difficult time. Today my thoughts and concerns
are with the many talented teammates and friends now finding their
way forward who have been committed to the mission and promise of
all that Virgin Orbit represents. I am confident of what we have
built and hopeful to achieve a transaction that positions our
Company and our technology for future opportunities and
missions.”
To help fund the process and protect its operations, the Company
has received a commitment from Virgin Investments Limited for $31.6
million in new money DIP financing. Upon approval from the
Bankruptcy Court, the DIP financing is expected to provide Virgin
Orbit with the necessary liquidity to continue operating as it
furthers the marketing process commenced pre-petition to sell the
Company and seek a value-maximizing transaction for the business
and its assets.
The Company is focused on a swift conclusion to its sale process
in order to provide clarity on the future of the Company to its
customers, vendors, and employees. In the interim, Virgin Orbit
will continue operating in the ordinary course as a
“debtor-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the bankruptcy
court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the U.S.
Bankruptcy Code. Virgin Orbit has filed customary motions
requesting that the Court authorize the Company’s ability to its
use cash on hand and access the DIP financing to support this
process, including payment of remaining employee wages and benefits
without interruption. The Company intends to pay suppliers and
vendors to the fullest extent possible pursuant to normal terms for
goods and services provided on or after the filing date. The
Company is also committed to working with its customers as it tries
to find a buyer that will be able to continue to fulfill their
needs.
For more information about Virgin Orbit’s Chapter 11 case,
please visit https://cases.ra.kroll.com/virginorbit/ or contact
Kroll, the Company’s noticing and claims agent, at +1 833-570-5269
(Toll Free), +1 646-440-4773 (International) or by e-mail at
VirginOrbitInfo@ra.kroll.com.
Virgin Orbit is represented by Latham & Watkins as
restructuring counsel, Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP as
local restructuring counsel, Alvarez & Marsal as restructuring
advisor, and Ducera as investment banker. Virgin Group is
represented by Davis Polk & Wardwell as restructuring counsel,
Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell as local restructuring
counsel, and FTI Consulting as financial advisor.
About Virgin Orbit
Virgin Orbit Holdings, Inc (Nasdaq: VORB) operates one of the
most flexible and responsive space launch systems ever built.
Founded by Sir Richard Branson in 2017, the Company began
commercial service in 2021, and has already delivered commercial,
civil, national security, and international satellites into orbit.
Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rockets are designed and manufactured in
Long Beach, California, and are air-launched from a modified
747-400 carrier aircraft that allows Virgin Orbit Holdings, Inc to
operate from locations all over the world in order to best serve
each customer’s needs. Learn more at www.virginorbit.com and visit
us on LinkedIn, on Twitter @virginorbit, and on Instagram
@virgin.orbit.
Cautionary Statements Related to Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The Company
intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe
harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in
Section 27A of the Securities and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements contained in this
press release other than statements of historical fact should be
considered forward-looking statements, including, without
limitation, statements regarding the bankruptcy process and the
ability of Virgin Orbit to achieve a value-maximizing sale of the
business and its assets; the Company’s receipt of DIP financing;
the ability for the Company to continue to operate its business;
the effects of Chapter 11 on the interests of various constituents;
and Virgin Orbit’s ability to maximize value for its constituents
and stakeholders. These forward-looking statements generally are
identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,”
“anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,”
“opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,”
“will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other
statements about future events that are based on current
expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks
and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to
differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press
release, including but not limited to the timing of implementation
of the reduction in force; any unintended consequences or
unforeseen costs resulting from the reduction in force impacting
the Company’s business or cost savings initiatives, as well as the
factors, risks and uncertainties included in the Company’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
September 30, 2022 as well as in the Company’s subsequent filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible
on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Information
section of the Company’s website at www.virginorbit.com.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.
Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking
statements, and Virgin Orbit assumes no obligation and does not
intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events, or
otherwise.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230403005999/en/
Virgin Orbit Alison Patch, Senior Director of Communications
(US) +1 949 616 2504 Alison.patch@virginorbit.com
Virgin Orbit (NASDAQ:VORB)
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