News Article
Qimonda files for insolvency
Munich court confirms the memory maker has filed for insolvency despite recent rescue packages.
Beleaguered memory maker Qimonda has filed for insolvency in a Munich court. Only last December the company seemed in a forward direction after agreeing to a 325 million euros rescue package from original parent company Infineon, the German state of Saxony and an unnamed investment bank in Portugal, where the company also has a plant.
It has been suggested that Qimonda required an additional 300 million euros to stave off further deterioration. The recent slump in DRAM prices seems to have been the last nail in the coffin. The company had warned of liquidity shortfalls last year and shares have fallen over 90% in twelve months. Infineon shares have lost around 10% since the news hit.
The company has now released a statement stating that Qimonda AG and Qimonda Dresden OHG have filed an application with the local court in Munich today to open insolvency proceedings.
Their goal is to reorganize the companies as part of the ongoing restructuring program. The court will now appoint a preliminary insolvency administrator.
The Qimonda Management Board intends to restructure key business units within the context of the insolvency regime.
“German insolvency law offers the opportunity to accelerate the restructuring process that has already been started in order to reposition the company back onto a solid base,”
said Kin Wah Loh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Qimonda AG. Qimonda possesses established products and, with its Buried Wordline technology, is currently bringing a promising future technology to the market.
The insolvency petition is the result of the massive drop in prices in the DRAM industry and dramatically decreased access to financing on the capital markets, both of which have led to the deterioration of the financial position of Qimonda in recent months. A financing package involving the Free State of Saxony, parent company Infineon, a leading Portuguese financial institution and additional banks could not be completed in time, despite intensive but also very complex negotiations and financial support committed by customers over the past days and weeks.
Furthermore, an increased need for financing for the current financial year recently became apparent as a consequence of the price decline in the December quarter and the fact that important investments needed for productivity improvements could not be made due to the delay in negotiations.
The temporary insolvency administrator will analyze the situation at Qimonda in the coming days. “We assume we will be able to continue our business within the context of our restructuring program with the support of the temporary insolvency administrator and our employees,”
Loh said. “We are especially counting on the excellent relationships with our customers and suppliers, with whom we have made significant progress in developing our Buried Wordline technology during the last months.”
Qimonda already introduced a global restructuring and cost reduction program in October in order to reposition the company. The main focus of the program is to concentrate on core competencies, such as the innovative Buried Wordline technology, as well as the company’s strong portfolio of infrastructure and graphics products.
The sale of its stake in Inotera in November 2008 was another important step, as this reduces exposure to the PC market and the associated cash outflow going forward. The ramp down of Qimonda’s 200-mm production in Richmond (Virginia), USA and the backend manufacturing for components and modules Dresden are on track.
In addition, the company has consolidated its product development in Munich and Xi’an, and has started to reduce headcount and its administrative costs.
Qimonda has considerable potential for successful repositioning thanks to its leading-edge and innovative Buried Wordline technology, a strong product portfolio, particularly in the areas of graphics and infrastructure, and more than 20,000 patents and patent applications.
The Qimonda Management Board will do its utmost, subject to the agreement of the preliminary insolvency administrator, to secure the financial funds necessary for the company’s reorganization in negotiations with potential lenders and investors. Given Qimonda’s technological strengths, the Board sees good chances for success.
It has been suggested that Qimonda required an additional 300 million euros to stave off further deterioration. The recent slump in DRAM prices seems to have been the last nail in the coffin. The company had warned of liquidity shortfalls last year and shares have fallen over 90% in twelve months. Infineon shares have lost around 10% since the news hit.
The company has now released a statement stating that Qimonda AG and Qimonda Dresden OHG have filed an application with the local court in Munich today to open insolvency proceedings.
Their goal is to reorganize the companies as part of the ongoing restructuring program. The court will now appoint a preliminary insolvency administrator.
The Qimonda Management Board intends to restructure key business units within the context of the insolvency regime.
“German insolvency law offers the opportunity to accelerate the restructuring process that has already been started in order to reposition the company back onto a solid base,”
said Kin Wah Loh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Qimonda AG. Qimonda possesses established products and, with its Buried Wordline technology, is currently bringing a promising future technology to the market.
The insolvency petition is the result of the massive drop in prices in the DRAM industry and dramatically decreased access to financing on the capital markets, both of which have led to the deterioration of the financial position of Qimonda in recent months. A financing package involving the Free State of Saxony, parent company Infineon, a leading Portuguese financial institution and additional banks could not be completed in time, despite intensive but also very complex negotiations and financial support committed by customers over the past days and weeks.
Furthermore, an increased need for financing for the current financial year recently became apparent as a consequence of the price decline in the December quarter and the fact that important investments needed for productivity improvements could not be made due to the delay in negotiations.
The temporary insolvency administrator will analyze the situation at Qimonda in the coming days. “We assume we will be able to continue our business within the context of our restructuring program with the support of the temporary insolvency administrator and our employees,”
Loh said. “We are especially counting on the excellent relationships with our customers and suppliers, with whom we have made significant progress in developing our Buried Wordline technology during the last months.”
Qimonda already introduced a global restructuring and cost reduction program in October in order to reposition the company. The main focus of the program is to concentrate on core competencies, such as the innovative Buried Wordline technology, as well as the company’s strong portfolio of infrastructure and graphics products.
The sale of its stake in Inotera in November 2008 was another important step, as this reduces exposure to the PC market and the associated cash outflow going forward. The ramp down of Qimonda’s 200-mm production in Richmond (Virginia), USA and the backend manufacturing for components and modules Dresden are on track.
In addition, the company has consolidated its product development in Munich and Xi’an, and has started to reduce headcount and its administrative costs.
Qimonda has considerable potential for successful repositioning thanks to its leading-edge and innovative Buried Wordline technology, a strong product portfolio, particularly in the areas of graphics and infrastructure, and more than 20,000 patents and patent applications.
The Qimonda Management Board will do its utmost, subject to the agreement of the preliminary insolvency administrator, to secure the financial funds necessary for the company’s reorganization in negotiations with potential lenders and investors. Given Qimonda’s technological strengths, the Board sees good chances for success.
