Shareholders are advised that despite efforts to complete the Business Rescue Proceedings of the company within three months of the date of commencement thereof, the proceedings have not been concluded and therefore, as required, the Business Rescue Practitioners have prepared a report in terms of Section 132 (3) (a) of the Companies Act 71 of 2008 for submission. The Report is also available on the company’s website: http://www.evrazhighveld.co.za/businessrescue.asp
The Report
The content of the Report is as follows: Report to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission and to all Affected Persons in terms of Section 132 (3) (a) of the Companies Act 71 of 2008.
Introduction
The Business Rescue Proceedings of the company have not been concluded within three months of the date of commencement thereof, and therefore as required, this report is being tabled in terms of Section 132 (3) (a) of the Companies Act 71 of 2008.
Background
The Board of Directors signed and filed a resolution placing the company into business rescue on 13 April 2015, which resolution was confirmed by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission on 14 April 2015.
Piers Marsden (Matuson & Associates) and Daniel Terblanche (Mazars) was appointed as the joint business rescue practitioners and their appointments were confirmed by the CIPC on 15 April 2015.
In a letter addressed to the directors of the company, the BRPs advised as follows:
* The duties of the BRPs during business rescue proceedings;
* The duties and responsibilities of the directors during business rescue proceedings; and
* Documentation to be furnished by the directors to the BRPs.
After an initial review of the affairs of the company, and in accordance with Section 147 of the Companies Act, the BRPs convened a meeting of creditors on 30 April 2015, at which the BRPs presented initial findings in support of their expressed opinion, that there was a reasonable prospect of the business rescue proceedings being successful, as defined. At this meeting, a Creditors Committee was established.
The Creditors Committee has met on two occasions, on the following dates:
* 20 May 2015
* 17 July 2015
Business Rescue Process
The following summary sets out the salient dates on which certain events have/will take place:
*Board Resolution to commence BRP filed at the CIPC — 13 April 2015
*Appointment of BRPs — 15 April 2015
*First Meeting of Employees – 29 April 2015
*First Meeting of Creditors — 30 April 2015
*First Meeting of Creditors Committee — 20 May 2015
*Consent for Extension — 22 May 2015
*First Meeting of Employees Committee — 29 May 2015
*Second Meeting of Creditors Committee — 17 July 2015
*Publish Business Rescue Plan — 31 August 2015
*Meeting to Consider the Business Rescue Plan — 09 September 2015
Update on Business Rescue Proceedings
Together with management, the BRPs identified areas where crucial actions were required.
The BRPs actions since the commencement of Business Rescue Proceedings include the following:
*Discussions with Governmental departments, including:
– Economic Development Department
– Department of Trade and Industry
– Department of Environmental Affairs
– Department of Water and Sanitation
– Department of Public Enterprise
– Treasury.
*Discussions with the Representative Trade Unions, including NUMSA and Solidarity.
* Application to the International Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac).
* Attending to Competition issues.
* Attending to Environmental issues.
* Discussions with Eskom.
* Attending to correspondence with SARS.
Post Commencement Finance
The IDC granted a facility of R150 million to the company on 29 May 2015. This was made available as a senior secured revolving facility until the end of August 2015.
Effectively, the facility is a revolving credit facility used to fund the working capital required to fulfill the purchase orders placed by customers.
Sales Process
As the company is in business rescue, the BRPs commenced an accelerated business rescue sales process.
The key timelines of the sales process are detailed below:
*Indicative Offer Submission Deadline — 15 July 2015
*Selection and Notification of Preferred Bidders — 17 July 2015
* Proof of USD 10 million — 27 July 2015
*Opening of Virtual Data Room (VDR) to Bidders — 27 July 2015
*Due Diligence Finalisation and Close of VDR — 21 August 2015
*Binding Offer Submission Deadline — 21 August 2015
*Evaluation of Binding Offers Received — 24 û 27 August 2015
*Announcement of Successful Bidder — 28 August 2015
Several of the bidders have met the requirement of the USD 10 million and have proceeded to the due diligence phase, which includes:
* Access to the VDR.
* Scheduled site visits.
* Discussions with the management team and other relevant stakeholders.
Final binding offers must be submitted by 21 August 2015.
Proof of Claims
A reminder to submit claims was sent to all creditors on 15 July 2015. To date, there remains a large number of claims outstanding and creditors who have yet to submit their claims are encouraged to do so before the publication of the Plan.
Total claims received to date amount to approximately R1.2 billion. All claims are currently being reviewed by the BRPs and compared to the company’s ledger.
A mechanism for the resolution of disputed claims will be included in the Plan unless an agreement can be reached.
Liquidation vs. Business Rescue
KPMG, as independent experts, are currently in the process of completing their liquidation dividend calculation. In terms of Section 150 of the Act, the liquidation dividend calculation will be included in the business rescue plan where readers will be able to compare this to the proposed business rescue dividend.
Conclusion
The BRPs remain of the view that there is a reasonable prospect of the company being rescued as contemplated in Section 128 of the Act.
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