Polk Lending 33, LLC v. THL Corporate Fin., Inc. (In re Aerogroup Int'l, Inc.)
Polk Lending 33, LLC v. THL Corporate Fin., Inc. (In re Aerogroup Int'l, Inc.)
Opinion of the Court
On September 15, 2017, Aerogroup International, Inc. and certain related entities (the "Debtors") filed chapter 11 bankruptcy petitions in this Court. On March 6, 2018, the Debtors sold their assets at an auction, receiving net sale proceeds of $ 25,450,000.
The following matters are before the Court for consideration:
(1) Polk 33 Lending, LLC's Motion to Enforce Agreement by and among the Debtors, Polk 33 Lending, LLC and THL Corporate Finance, Inc. (D.I. 779) ("Polk's Motion to Enforce") in which Polk seeks to enforce the parties' agreement to distribute part of the Sales Proceeds;
(2) THL Corporation Finance, Inc.'s Motion for Entry of Order (I) Valuing Secured Claims for Purpose of Allocating Sale Proceeds to Such Secured Claims and (II) Ordering Distributions (D.I. 803) ("THL's Allocation Motion"); and
(3) The adversary proceeding captioned Polk 33 Lending, LLC v. THL Corporate Finance, Inc. (In re Aerogroup International, Inc.) (Adv. Pro. No. 18-50383) (the "Adversary Proceeding"), in which Polk asserts a breach of contract action against THL for allegedly failing to comply with certain payment obligations due to Polk under the parties' lender agreement dated February 12, 2018.6
On June 29, 2018 and July 13, 2018, the Court held an evidentiary hearing on the Contested Matters. Thereafter, the parties filed Proposed Findings of Fact and simultaneous letter briefs in accordance with the Order dated July 20, 2018 (D.I. 1023).
For the reasons set forth below, Polk's Motion to Enforce will be dismissed as moot. THL's Allocation Motion will be granted, in part, and denied, in part. In the Adversary Proceeding, judgment will be entered in favor of plaintiff, Polk, and against defendant, THL, in the amount of $ 1,991,162.25, plus pre-judgment interest.
FACTS
A. The Debtors' Business
The Debtors were a leading manufacturer and retailer of women's footwear that incorporated "the latest comfort technologies."
(1) Direct Retail Business Channel: The Debtors operated retail stores across a variety of formats including malls, lifestyle centers, street locations, and outlet centers. In 2016, the Debtors closed over 30 stores. As of the Petition Date, the Debtors operated approximately 78 stores, but after filing the bankruptcy case, the Debtors moved for and received authority from the Court to close approximately 74 of *576the retail stores remaining at that time.8
(2) Direct E-Commerce Business Channel: The Debtors sold their products directly to consumers through its website.9
(3) Wholesale Business Channel: The Debtors supplied their products to retailers across a variety of wholesale formats, including department stores, off-price retail chains, specialty stores, home shopping networks, and internet businesses.10
(4) First Cost Business Channel: The Debtors provided shoe design, sourcing, and production consulting services to customers who placed orders for Aerosoles-branded products directly from the factories. The Debtors never took possession of the finished products and received payment from the first cost customers in the form of a royalty, which was due 30-60 days after shipment from the factory.11
(5) International Licensing Business Channel: The Debtors partnered with international licensees that distributed Aerosoles-branded products, either on a first costs basis or via long-term licensing agreements. The Debtors typically had design and marketing approval rights for Aerosoles-branded products developed by licensees.12
B. The Debtors' Prepetition Debt
As of the Petition Date, the Debtors had approximately $ 72.3 million of outstanding funded indebtedness, comprised of approximately:
(i) $ 22.9 million outstanding under a prepetition revolving facility;
(ii) $ 19.7 million outstanding under a prepetition term loan facility;
(iii) $ 19.1 million outstanding on Subordinated Convertible Notes due March 9, 2020 ("Prepetition Senior Notes");
(iv) $ 8.9 million outstanding on Subordinated Convertible Non-Transferrable Notes due March 9, 2020 ("Prepetition Subordinated Notes"); and
(v) $ 1.7 million outstanding on a prepetition subordinated loan.13
The Debtors' first and second lien debt was held in a "split lien" collateral structure by THL, as administrative agent for the Debtors' prepetition term loan lenders, and Wells Fargo, N.A. ("Wells Fargo") as administrative agent for the Debtors' prepetition revolver lenders.
*577THL held a first lien on "Term Priority Collateral," defined as including "all Collateral other than ABL Priority Collateral, including without limitation ... all Equipment, Fixtures, Real Property, Intellectual Property and the Capital Stock of domestic subsidiaries of the Parent."
C. Events Leading Up to Bankruptcy
The Debtors' bankruptcy was the result of numerous factors that contributed to declining financial performance, including declining mall traffic, a highly promotional and competitive retail environment, and a shift in customer demand and preference for online shopping versus traditional brick and mortar stores.
In June 2017, the Debtors were facing liquidity issues and retained Berkeley Research Group, LLC ("BRG") as its financial advisor.
Also in June 2017, the Debtors retained Piper Jaffray & Co. ("Piper Jaffray") as its investment banking firm to look at possible sources of capital funding and a potential sale of the company.
D. The Bankruptcy Case
The Debtors filed their chapter 11 petitions on September 15, 2017. In his declaration in support of the First Day Motions, Weinsten noted that the Debtors filed *578chapter 11 to maximize value for the benefit of all interested parties - - including creditors and stockholders - - by immediately reducing their retail footprint and continuing the process of soliciting interest in the acquisition or financing of a business restructured around its wholesale, e-commerce and first cost business units.
(1) Cash Collateral and DIP Financing Agreements
The Debtors initially sought and obtained a Court order authorizing the use of THL's and Wells Fargo's cash collateral on a consensual, interim basis.
On October 15, 2017, the Debtors filed a motion to approve a $ 25 million debtor-in-possession financing facility from Polk.
With the Court's encouragement at the October 18, 2017 hearing, the Debtors, Polk and THL began negotiating the terms of a consensual order regarding DIP financing.
(2) The Proposed Chapter 11 Plans
Between October 2017 and January 2018, the Debtors filed a proposed plan of reorganization and amended it three *579times.
(3) The § 363 Sale
Polk and THL elected not to exercise their respective rights and remedies and, instead, supported a sale process, led by the Debtors, pursuant to Bankruptcy Code § 363.
The Debtors used Polk's cash collateral to fund the sale process and to make payments set forth in the Lender Agreement, including operating expenses, payroll expenses and professional fee carve-out payments.
After the proposed plan failed, the Debtors relaunched an accelerated version of the sale process they had undertaken prepetition.
On January 24, 2018, the Debtors filed a motion for approval of bidding procedures for the sale of substantially all of the Debtors' assets (the " § 363 Sale").
On February 14, 2018, the Court held a hearing to consider Alden Global Capital, LLC ("Alden") as the Debtors' proposed stalking horse bidder to acquire substantially all of the Debtors' assets.
On February 15-16, 2018, the Debtors conducted an auction in connection with the § 363 Sale.
On or about 8:00 p.m. at the auction, THL indicated that it wished to place a credit bid for the intellectual property.
The auction continued and other bidders, including Alden, continued to bid in a process that lasted through the night.
At closing on March 6, 2018, (the "Closing Date"), a purchase price adjustment was made on a dollar-for-dollar basis for accounts receivable and inventory.
(4) Post-Closing Agreements
As of the Closing Date, the outstanding DIP obligations were approximately $ 10,785,748.
On March 27, 2018, the Debtor proposed to pay Polk $ 7.0 million, THL $ 10.5 million, and the estate professionals approximately $ 1.1 million (the "Debtors' March Paydown Proposal").
On March 30, 2018, THL proposed reduced payout amounts to Polk and THL and an elimination of the payment of professional fees.
On March 30, 2018, the Debtors initiated the wire transactions. However, due to the intervening Good Friday holiday, the Debtors were unable to receive a waiver of the $ 5 million daily disbursement imposed on the Sale Escrow Account.
On April 2, 2018, the Monday morning following the holiday weekend, THL's counsel informed the Debtor and Polk that THL had withdrawn consent to completing the Initial Disbursement.
On April 6, 2018, Polk commenced the Adversary Proceeding to enforce the Lender Agreement and payment of the $ 1,991,162.25 Lender Reimbursement due thereunder prior to resolving the dispute *583over allocation of the Sale Proceeds. On April 13, 2018, Polk filed its Motion to Enforce, to compel payment of the remainder of the Initial Disbursement. On April 23, 2018, THL filed the Allocation Motion. The parties held two mediation sessions before the Honorable Kevin Gross, but, regrettably, were unable to resolve their disputes.
On June 8, 2018, Polk filed a motion for summary judgment in connection with THL's Allocation Motion, arguing that THL's credit bid at the auction set the value of its secured claim. On June 25, 2018, the Court issued an Opinion and Order denying Polk's summary judgment motion.
On June 29, 2018 and July 13, 2018, the Court held an evidentiary hearing on Polk's Motion to Enforce and THL's Allocation Motion, with the understanding that the evidentiary hearing would also resolve Polk's Adversary Proceeding.
DISCUSSION
Here we have two lenders asserting competing secured claims to one pot of money, consisting of the proceeds from the § 363 Sale of substantially all of the Debtors' assets. The parties have failed to reach any agreement on how to allocate the Sale Proceeds. After an adjustment to the purchase price, the final net Sale Proceeds were $ 24,250,090.14. THL maintains that the outstanding obligations under its credit agreement exceed $ 22 million.
In the Final DIP Order, the parties agreed to application of the proceeds from any § 363 Sale as follows:
Notwithstanding anything otherwise provided herein, 100% of any net cash proceeds of any sale of DIP Collateral outside of the ordinary course of business shall be held by the Debtors in a separate segregated account (the "Sale Escrow Account"). The outstanding DIP Obligations and Prepetition Secured Obligations shall be secured by a lien on the Sale Escrow Account in accordance with the priorities set forth in the Interim Order and this Final Order and, with respect to the Prepetition Secured Note Credit Parties, pursuant to the Prepetition Documents. The Debtors shall not distribute any proceeds from the Sale Escrow Account until:
(a) With respect to the identifiable cash proceeds of the Term Priority Defined Collateral94 and the DIP Priority Collateral,95 the *584earlier of such time as the DIP Lender and the Prepetition Term Loan Credit Parties have reached an agreement or the Court makes a determination, as to the amounts of such proceeds that constitute proceeds of the Term Priority Defined Collateral or proceeds of the DIP Priority Collateral; and
(b) With respect to all other identifiable cash proceeds (the "Undefined Collateral Proceeds"), the earlier of such time as
i. The DIP Lender and the Prepetition Term Loan Credit Parties have reached an agreement or the Court makes a determination, that such Undefined Collateral Proceeds are identifiable proceeds of the Term Priority Defined Collateral or the DIP Priority Collateral;
ii. The Prepetition Term Loan Obligations have been satisfied in full, in which case the Undefined Collateral Proceeds shall be distributed first to the DIP Lender until all DIP Obligations are satisfied in full and second to the Prepetition Secured Note Credit Parties;
iii. The DIP Obligations have been satisfied in full, in which case the Undefined Collateral Proceeds shall be distributed first to the Prepetition Term Loan Agent until all Prepetition Term Loan Obligations are satisfied in full and second to the Prepetition Secured Note Credit Parties;
iv. Each of the DIP Obligations and Prepetition Term Loan Obligations have been satisfied in full, in which case the Undefined Collateral *585Proceeds shall be distributed to the Prepetition Secured Note Credit Parties; or
v. All DIP Priority Collateral and Term Priority Collateral has been fully liquidated for less than the total amount owed on account of the DIP Obligations and Prepetition Term Loan Obligations, in which case the Undefined Collateral Proceeds shall be distributed first to the DIP Lender until all DIP Obligations are satisfied in full, second to the Prepetition Term Loan Agent until all Prepetition Term Loan Obligations are satisfied in full and third to the Prepetition Secured Note Credit Parties.96
The plain language of this section requires an initial determination of the "identifiable cash proceeds" of the Term Priority Defined Collateral (or THL's collateral), the DIP Priority Collateral (or Polk's collateral), and then - - to the extent there are any cash proceeds left over - - the Undefined Collateral Proceeds. THL argues that the only DIP Priority Collateral sold in the § 363 Sale was the Debtors' accounts receivable and inventory. Therefore, THL claims, all remaining sale proceeds (after deducting the value of the accounts receivable and inventory) were generated from the sale of the Debtor's Intellectual Property (and goodwill associated with the Intellectual Property), which fall under the Term Priority Defined Collateral. THL argues that Polk has not adequately described any other assets with value that could fall within the Undefined Collateral Proceeds. So, THL claims that the solution to the allocation issue is to distribute the value of the accounts receivable and inventory to Polk, and to distribute the remaining § 363 Sale Proceeds (attributable to Intellectual Property) to THL.
Polk argues, in response, that the Court must: (1) value all of the DIP Priority Collateral that was sold (consisting of accounts receivable, inventory, inventory deposits, books and records and general intangibles), then (2) value the Term Priority Defined Collateral that was sold (Intellectual Property), and then (3) determine that any remaining Sales Proceeds are "Undefined Collateral Proceeds," which get distributed to Polk first, in accordance with paragraph 23(b)(v) of the Final DIP Order.
(1) Summary of Competing Valuations
To value the assets sold at the § 363 Sale, THL and Polk offered expert testimony. Other valuations that are discussed by the parties include an analysis used by the Debtors to evaluate bids at the auction, as well as the allocation announced by the buyer, Alden, (over some protestation by secured creditors) at the end of the auction. Those valuations line up as follows:
*586Intellectual Accounts Inventory Inventory "Other" Property Receivable Deposits THL $22.56 M $1.4M $3.3M 0 0 Experts97 Polk $12 M - $1.86M $5.12M $1.175M $4.095M Experts98 $14M Debtors' Liquidation $2.3M - $5.2M - 0 0 Auction value: $13.7 $1.19M $2 M Analysis99 Alden Not Stated $2.4M $5.3M $1.15M Not Stated Allocation100
[Editor's Note: The preceding image contains the references for footnotes
The inconsistency of the proposed allocations requires review of the collateral groups, as defined in the Final DIP Order, and closer examination of the expert testimony.
(2) Term Priority Defined Collateral
There is no dispute that THL's collateral includes the Debtors' Intellectual Property, but the main source of contention between the parties is the value of that Intellectual Property. THL submitted expert testimony that the Intellectual Property had a value of at least $ 22.561 million as of the closing date of the § 363 Sale
THL's expert, David Peress, is an Executive Vice President at Hilco IP Services, LLC ("Hilco"), who has extensive experience valuing intellectual property assets, having participated in more than 200 such valuations in his career.
Peress testified that, generally, valuation reports are intended to be used prospectively and are reliable for business planning purposes for 12 months (although sometimes it may be appropriate to update *587them earlier).
Peress then valued the Intellectual Property as of the closing date of the § 363 Sale by modifying the analyses in the August 2017 Reports in two ways, by: (i) removing the value attributable to the retail channel, and (ii) adjusting the analysis to reflect the appropriate standard of value, i.e., OLV, FLV or something in between. As described in the summary of his expert report:
[T]he sale of the Intellectual Property took place under circumstances that had elements of both an orderly liquidation and a forced liquidation. Looking at those two poles and adjusting for the cessation of the use of the Intellectual Property in the retail channel, as of the Sale Date, the Intellectual Property had a value between $ 28.414 Million and $ 16.709 Million. In my opinion, the sale had more elements of an orderly liquidation than a forced liquidation; therefore, the value of the Intellectual Property as of the Sale Date was greater than $ 22.561 Million which represents that mid-point of the value range between an OLV and an FLV.108
In contrast, Polk's expert, James Donohue, valued the Intellectual Property at $ 12-$ 14 million.
"The income approach values assets based on the present value of the future income streams expected to come from the assets under consideration."
The relief from royalty approach therefore estimates revenues associated with intellectual property, applies a royalty on those revenues to determine an intellectual property income stream, subtracts applicable costs, and uses a capitalization rate to convert the resulting cash flow stream into a value.115
*588Donohue applied the relief from royalty approach to all of the Debtors' business channels, except Retail (which was not valued).
Donohue also used a market approach to test his income approach for valuing the Intellectual Property. Donohue describes the market approach as a way to value assets based on comparable transactions and notes that "[w]hen considering potentially comparable transactions, it is necessary to evaluate the comparability of the transaction in terms of subject matter and timing."
Peress claims that Donohue's income approach substantially undervalues the Intellectual Property. Although Peress used the relief from royalty approach to value the Intellectual Property in the Debtors' Wholesale Channel, he used variations of the income approach for the Debtors' other business channels - - specifically, Peress used a profit split methodology to value the E-Commerce Channel, and a discounted cash flow methodology for the Licensing and First Cost Channels.
Peress also contends that Donohue's market approach is flawed. Peress described the two indications of interest that were made in February 2018, after the GBG Transaction collapsed, as unhelpful in a valuation because in a distressed context he will often "have conversations with opportunistic buyers who float numbers that are either not helpful, low, or otherwise *589not substantiated by the actual value."
In response, Donohue contends that the flaws in Peress' analysis result in substantially over-valuing the Intellectual Property. Donohue's main contention is that Peress' June 8, 2018 Report (the "Peress Report")
As often happens in a bankruptcy case, two qualified, experienced professionals have arrived at very different conclusions about the value of an asset. Section 506(a) of the Bankruptcy Code fixes the amount of a creditor's secured claim based on the value of the property that is subject to the creditor's lien.
Here, we do not have to wonder about the proposed disposition of the collateral; it was sold at the § 363 Sale. THL values the Intellectual Property at $ 22.561 million, although the total Sales Proceeds were $ 24,250,090.14. THL argues that those Sale Proceeds should be allocated among the Company's assets in equal proportion to their respective values (based upon THL's valuation of other assets which is discussed below) as follows: 82.76% of the Sale Proceeds (or $ 20.02 million) should be allocated to Intellectual Property; 5.14% (or $ 1.25 million) to Accounts Receivable, and 12.11% (or $ 2.94 million) to inventory.
(i) The sales process engaged in by the Debtors and the Purchaser, including, without limitation, the Auction, which was conducted in accordance with the Bid Procedures and the Bid Procedures Order, and the negotiation of the AP A, was at arm's length, non-collusive, in good faith, and substantively and procedurally fair to all parties in interest.139
(ii) The form and total consideration to be realized by the Debtors under the APA constitutes fair value, fair, full and adequate consideration, reasonably equivalent value and reasonable market value for the Purchased Assets.140
(iii) The consideration provided by the Purchaser for the Purchased Assets pursuant to the APA (i) is fair and reasonable, (ii) is the highest and best offer for the Purchased Assets, (iii) will provide a greater recovery for the Debtors' creditors and estates than would be provided by any other practical available alternative, and (iv) constitutes reasonably equivalent value and fair consideration under the Bankruptcy Code and under the laws of the United States, and each state, territory, possession and the District of Columbia.141
The § 363 Sale was held pursuant to a fair and open process, other interested *591parties were invited to - - and did - - participate in the auction, and the result represents fair and reasonable consideration for the time, place and manner of the § 363 Sale. I am unprepared to conclude otherwise. The auction result set the value of the collateral, and the issue now before me is to determine the appropriate allocation of those Sale Proceeds.
When considered in light of the facts and circumstances of this case, I conclude that THL's valuation of the Intellectual Property is not the best assessment for this particular-purpose. Peress' Report adopted an appraisal exercise that valued the Intellectual Property as of June 2017 and did not consider certain significant and relevant data points that occurred after the August 2017 Reports, including the chapter 11 filings, the GBG Transaction, the collapse of the GBG Transaction, the transition to a quick § 363 Sale, and the result of the § 363 Sale. THL's valuation did not consider updated post-petition financial data. Although THL's expert adjusted the report by deleting any value attributed to the Debtors' Retail Channel, I agree with Polk's argument that this adjustment fails to consider how closing retail stores could impact other business channels, through lack of brand presence or interruption to consumer engagement. Moreover, the main variance between the two expert reports mostly centered on the First Cost and Licensing Business Channels. THL's valuation did not update the growth rates to reflect impairment of the business in those channels in 2017.
Polk's valuation, while more reliable for the purpose of allocating the Sales Proceeds, also suffers from some flaws resulting in a low value. Polk's market approach also skews too low by cherry-picking lowball offers and relying on THL's credit bid, which I've previously decided did not set the value of the Intellectual Property. For these reasons, I conclude that the high end of the Polk valuation ($ 14 million) is still too low. After reviewing the two appraisals together, I conclude that the appropriate amount of the Sales Proceeds that should be allocated to the value of the Intellectual Property is $ 15.6 million.
However, this conclusion does not end the valuation of the Term Priority Defined Collateral. The parties amended the definition of Intellectual Property in the Final DIP Order to the following:
The term "Intellectual Property" shall mean all intellectual and similar property of every kind and nature now owned or hereafter acquired by any Loan Party, including inventions, designs, Patents, Copyrights, Licenses (as defined below), Trademarks, Trade Secrets, Domain Names, confidential and proprietary information, including, without limitation, all trade secrets, technology, ideas, know-how, formulae and customer lists, any and all intellectual property rights in computer software and computer software products (including without limitation, source codes, object codes, data and related documentation), any and all design rights owned or used by such Loan Party, all other intellectual property rights of every description, and in each case all goodwill associated therewith , and with respect to the foregoing, any proceeds thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, any DIP Collateral to which the Intellectual Property is affixed or applied but does not otherwise constitute intellectual property in accordance with this definition shall not be deemed to be Intellectual Property.142
This revised definition includes "all goodwill associated" with the Intellectual Property.
*592THL argues that it holds the lien against the Debtors' brand, which it claims is "by far" the most valuable asset of a footwear company like Aerosoles. I agree that the Term Priority Defined Collateral includes value allocated for goodwill associated with the Intellectual Property. However, I must first decide how to value the working capital assets - - or the DIP Priority Collateral.
(3) The DIP Priority Collateral
The DIP Collateral includes a rather exhaustive list of the Debtors' assets and property.
Polk, on the other hand, relied on the expert report and testimony of Henry F. Owsley,
At issue in the two appraisals is how to characterize the § 363 Sale. Owsley refers to it as a "going concern" sale,
*593Here, the Debtors' assets were not liquidated in a rapid, piece-meal fashion. Instead, the assets were sold together in an orderly process, that included (i) marketing the company by Piper Jaffray, (ii) entering into an arms-length asset purchase agreement with a stalking horse bidder, (iii) holding an auction under approved bidding procedures that included a competitive bidding environment, and (iv) resulting in the fair, reasonable and adequate consideration for those assets.
Owsley valued the Debtors' net accounts receivable at their book value of $ 1.86 million and he saw no reason to further discount them.
The two appraisers' opinions vary most with respect to inventory. The first issue is whether the inventory deposits have any value at all. The inventory deposits represent deposits for inventory ordered from foreign manufacturers. Hazel determined that the inventory deposits had no value to the buyer, citing the possibility that the foreign manufacturers or agents might not honor the contracts and deliver the inventory.
Owsley again used the Debtors' book value in his appraisal to determine that the Debtors' inventory should be valued at $ 5.12 million.
(4) Residual Value
If the Sales Proceeds of $ 24.25 million are allocated $ 15.6 million to Intellectual Property and $ 7.25 million to the working capital assets, this leaves a Sales Proceeds balance of $ 1.4 million to be allocated between THL and Polk. Polk, relying on its experts, argues that this residual value represents goodwill related to the value to the buyer of maintaining business continuity through the company's books and records, workforce, contractual relationships, vendor relationships and customer relationships.
The amount paid to acquire an ongoing enterprise beyond the value associated with individual assets is often referred to as goodwill. Goodwill from a financial reporting perspective is an asset representing the future economic benefit arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Assets such as cash, accounts receivable, inventory, land, equipment, deposits, trademarks, patents, domain names, noncompetition agreements, databases, software, leases, licenses, backlog, customer contracts, customer lists, customer relationships and license agreements would all be considered assets that can be individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill would therefore be the value paid to acquire a business beyond the values *595associated with these types of individual assets.170
Polk claims that the remaining Sales Proceeds are either general intangibles that are part of the DIP Priority Collateral, or Undefined Collateral Proceeds that must be distributed to Polk pursuant to the subordination agreement set forth in paragraph 23(b)(v) of the Final DIP Order.
Not so fast, argues THL. As discussed above, the Final DIP Order amended the definition of Intellectual Property specifically to include all goodwill associated with the Intellectual Property. And THL asserts that any part of the Sale Proceeds attributable to goodwill arises from or is associated with the Intellectual Property which, in addition to Patents, Copyrights, Licenses and Trademarks, also includes items like trade secrets, technology, ideas, know-how, formulae and customer lists.
THL's expert, Hazel, asserted that the § 363 Sale was a "bargain purchase," in which the value of the assets exceeded the purchase price and, therefore, goodwill is negative.
Here, I have decided that the value of the hard assets is less than the purchase price. I agree with Owsley that, under these circumstances, this sale tends more toward a going concern sale than a forced liquidation. Black's Law Dictionary defines "going concern value" as "[t]he value of a commercial enterprise's assets or of the enterprise itself as an active business with future earning power, as opposed to the liquidation value of the business or its assets. Going concern value includes, for example, goodwill."
"Typically, goodwill is created when the price paid for the acquired company exceeds the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired minus the liabilities assumed."
Often (though not always), the amount paid for assets above the fair value of those assets represents the value to the acquirer of owning those assets. Thus, goodwill is often created as a result of a buyer's expectations to benefit from controlling the target company, synergies and other economic benefits.178
Polk argues that, in this case, the going concern value arises from acquiring items such as books and records or an experienced workforce. THL's expert, Hazel, asserts that, in the context of a bankruptcy auction, a buyer would not assign value to items such as books and records or the workforce.
THL specifically intended that the definition of Intellectual Property in the Final DIP Order ensure that its collateral captured any goodwill value. The record before me establishes that the lion's share of the residual value is not "unidentifiable" assets, but identifiable as goodwill associated with the Intellectual Property. I conclude, therefore, that $ 1.2 million of the residual value from the § 363 Sale should be allocated to goodwill associated with the Intellectual Property, which is part of the Term Priority Defined Collateral belonging to THL. The remaining $ 200,000 is allocated to general intangibles, which fall within the DIP Priority Collateral belonging to Polk.
(5) Reallocation of THL's Adequate Protection Payments
In Polk's objection to THL's Allocation Motion, Polk argues that the adequate protection payments made to THL during the Debtors' case must be reallocated because THL is undersecured. A creditor's right to receive adequate protection payments is calculated at the time adequate protection is sought.
(6) The Adversary Proceeding
In the Joint Pretrial Memorandum, the parties stipulated that "[p]ursuant to the Lender Allocation set forth in the Lender Agreement, as of the closing of the 363 Sale ... on March 6, 2018, THL owed Polk $ 1,991,162.25 (the "Lender Reimbursement")."
In the Adversary Proceeding Complaint, Polk claims that paragraph 2(f) of the Lender Agreement provides that the Lender Reimbursement must be paid immediately following consummation of the § 363 Sale.
Section 2(f) of the Lender Agreement is clear: THL's obligation to pay the Closing Amount to Polk 33 is an independent obligation of THL separate and apart from any obligations, issues, disputes, or provisions relating to the distribution of the sale proceeds pursuant to the order approving the 363 Sale. Thus, pursuant to Section 2(f) of the Lender Agreement, the Closing Amount [Lender Allocation] is due and payable to Polk 33. If THL refuses to make the payment immediately, Polk 33 will seek to enforce all rights and remedies, including an order from the Bankruptcy Court compelling such payment.189
I agree that the plain language of the Lender Agreement is clear: THL sought to improperly tie resolution of the Lender Agreement issues to the Sale Proceeds allocation issues. However, THL's agreement to pay the Lender Allocation was not properly conditioned upon release of the Sale Proceeds. Polk did not control payment of the Sale Proceeds. THL refused to pay Polk the Lender Allocation upon closing of the § 363 Sale, thus breaching its obligation under the Lender Agreement.
In the Complaint, Polk seeks judgment in the amount of the Lender Allocation, plus (i) pre-and post-judgment interest thereon, and (ii) attorney's fees and expenses *598incurred in connection with the adversary proceeding. The Lender Agreement provides that it "shall be governed by and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principles."
New York law provides that "[i]nterest shall be recovered upon a sum awarded because of a breach of performance of a contract."
THL's obligation to pay the Lender Allocation was not dependent upon resolution of the issues regarding allocation of the Sales Proceeds. THL breached its agreement to pay its share of the expenses arising from continued operation of the Debtors and the § 363 Sale. Pursuant to New York law, Polk is entitled to recover pre-judgment interest on the unpaid Lender Allocation from the closing date of the § 363 Sale through the date this matter was taken under advisement (August 29, 2018).
Polk also asked to recover attorneys' fees associated with the adversary proceeding. "Under New York law, attorneys' fees are treated as the ordinary incidents of litigation, and may not be awarded to the prevailing party unless authorized by agreement between the parties, statute, or court rule."
CONCLUSION
For the reasons set forth above, I conclude that the allocation of the Sales Proceeds should be $ 16.8 million to the Term Priority Defined Collateral, $ 7.45 million to the DIP Priority Collateral. The parties are directed to meet and confer to adjust *599the waterfall payment analysis attached to THL's Allocation Motion using the allocation of Sales Proceeds decided herein. A status hearing will be set. I strongly encourage THL and Polk to resolve any remaining differences.
Further, for the reasons set forth above and in accordance with the parties' stipulation regarding the Lender Allocation under the Lender Agreement, judgment will be entered in the adversary proceeding against defendant THL and in favor of plaintiff Polk in the amount of $ 1,991,162.25 plus pre-judgment interest at the New York statutory rate of nine percent per annum from on March 6, 2018 through August 29, 2018.
Polk's Motion to Enforce will be dismissed as moot.
An appropriate Order follows.
The net proceeds were subject to certain reductions, resulting in overall net sale proceeds of $ 24,250,090.14 (the "Sale Proceeds").
THL is acting in its capacity as administrative agent to the Debtors' Prepetition Term Loan Lenders, as that term is defined in the Final Order (I) Authorizing the Debtors to Obtain Postpetition Financing and Grant Security Interests and Superpriority Administrative Expense Status with Respect to the DIP Collateral; (II) Granting Adequate Protection to the Prepetition Secured Credit Parties; (III) Modifying the Automatic Stay; (IV) Authorizing the Debtor to Enter Into Agreements with Polk 33 Lending, LLC (V) Authorizing Use of Cash Collateral; and (VI) Granting Related Relief (D.I. 231) (the "Final DIP Order"). Joint Exhibit 14. At the hearing held on June 29, 2018 and July 13, 2018, Polk and THL submitted joint exhibits that are referred to herein as "JX [exhibit number]."
Order (I) Authorizing the Sale of Certain Assets of the Debtors Free and Clear of All Liens, Claims, Liabilities, Rights, Interests and Encumbrances and Other Interests, (II) Authorizing the Assumption and Assignment of Certain Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases in Connection Therewith, and (III) Granting Related Relief (D.I. 671) (the "Sale Order").
The Polk Motion, the THL Motion and the Adversary Proceeding are referred to herein as the "Contested Matters."
JX 82 (Weinsten Decl.), ¶ 12.
Joint Pretrial Memorandum Relating to Contested Matters Between Polk 33 Lending, LLC and THL Corporate Finance, Inc. (D.I. 989) (the "Joint Pretrial Memo"), ¶ 1.
JX 25, Joint Pretrial Memo ¶ 1.
JX 25 at 7.
JX 25 at 7, 18.
JX 82, ¶ 32.
JX 82, ¶ 4; Tr. 6/29/2018 at 33:11-33:19 (Weinsten).
JX 82, ¶ 4; Tr. 6/29/2018 at 33:20-34:20 (Weinsten).
JX 82, ¶ 35.
Interim Order Pursuant to
Motion for Entry of Interim and Final Orders (I) Authorizing the Debtors To Obtain Postpetition Financing and Grant Security Interests and Superpriority Administrative Expense Status; (II) Granting Adequate Protection to the Prepetition Secured Credit Parties; (III) Modifying the Automatic Stay; (IV) Authorizing the Debtors to Enter into Agreements with Polk 33 Lending, LLC; (V) Authorizing Use of Cash Collateral; and (VI) Granting Related Relief (D.I. 146), JX 11 (the "DIP Motion").
JX 11 at 4-5.
JX 13.
Tr. 10/18/2017 at 21:23-22:17 (D.I. 698).
The Interim Order (I) Authorizing the Debtors to Obtain Postpetition Financing and Grant Security Interests and Superpriority Administrative Expense Status with Respect to the DIP Collateral; (II) Granting Adequate Protection to the Prepetition Secured Credit Parties; (III) Modifying the Automatic Stay; (IV) Authorizing the Debtors to Enter into Agreements with Polk 33 Lending, LLC; (V) Authorizing Use of Cash Collateral, and (VI) Granting Related Relief (D.I. 194) (the "Interim DIP Order"). Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 6.
See n.4, supra . JX 14. Polk, as the DIP Lender, provided a senior secured superpriority term loan up to the amount of $ 25 million (the "DIP Facility") under the Amended and Restated Senior Secured Superpriority Debtor-In-Possession Loan and Security Agreement (the "DIP Credit Agreement") and other related agreements and documents (collectively, the "DIP Documents"). Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 8.
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 10. See also D.I. 203, 326, 346, 468, 502.
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 11. See also Disclosure Statement for the Debtors' First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization, JX 6 at 8-9.
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 12.
Id. ¶ 13.
Id. ¶ 14.
Id. ¶¶ 15-16.
Id. ¶ 17.
Id. ¶ 18.
Id. ¶ 19.
Id. ¶ 20.
Tr. 7/13/2018 at 30:15-31:4 (Shinder) (D.I. 1019). Richard M. Shinder was a managing director of the investment banking group and the head of the restructuring and special situations group at Piper Jaffray, Tr. 7/13/2018 at 17:23-17:25.
Tr 7/13/2018 at 31:17-31:18.
Id. at 33:8-33:16.
Id. at 33:18-33:20.
Id. at 36:15-36:20.
The motion was entitled "Motion of the Debtors for Entry of (I) An Order (A) Approving Bid Procedures for the Sale of Substantially All of the Debtors' Assets, (B) Approving Related Contract Assumption and Assignment Procedures, (C) Authorizing the Debtors to Enter Into Stalking Horse Agreements and Approving Certain Bid Protections, Subject to a Further Hearing, (D) Scheduling a Sale Hearing, and (E) Granting Certain Related Relief; and (II) An Order (A) Approving the Sale of the Debtors Assets, (B) Approving the Assumption and Assignment of Certain Executory contracts and Unexpired Leases, and (C) Granting Certain Related Relief" (D.I. 532) (the "Bid Procedures Motion"). Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 22.
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 23 (D.I. 566) (the "Bid Procedures Order").
The Bid Procedures Order, ¶¶ 18-19.
Notice of Filing of Stalking Horse Agreement with Proposed Bid Protections (D.I. 618); see also Notice of Hearing (D.I. 626).
D.I. 635.
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 25.
Id. ¶ 26.
Id. ¶ 27.
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 28.
Id. ¶ 29.
Id. ¶ 30.
Id. ¶ 31.
JX 15 (Handy Decl.), ¶¶ 7-8.
JX 21.
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 32; JX 21 at 59.
Order (I) Authorizing the Sale of Certain Assets of the Debtors Free and Clear of All Liens, Claims, Liabilities, Rights, Interests and Encumbrances and Other Interests, (II) Authorizing the Assumption and Assignment of Certain Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases in Connection Therewith, and (III) Granting Related Relief (D.I. 671) (the "Sale Order"); JX 8; Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 33.
JX 26 at 29, § 5.01(a). Specifically, Section 5.01 provides that the Debtors "shall conduct the Business in the Ordinary Course of Business and shall use reasonable efforts to preserve intact the business organizations and relationships with third parties and to keep available the services of the present employees of the [Debtors] ..."
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 34; JX 26 at 20, § 2.06(c). Specifically, Section 2.06(c) provided for cash consideration to be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis if the value of the inventory and accounts receivable collectively is less than (a) $ 5,300,000 for the value of the inventory and (b) $ 3,449,000 less sales, returns and allowances of $ 1,044,000 for accounts receivable.
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 35.
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 36.
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 37. JX 27, ¶ 2.
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 38; JX 8 at 18, ¶ 8.
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 39.
Id. ¶ 40.
Id. ¶ 41.
Id. ¶ 42.
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 43.
Id. ¶ 44.
Id. ¶ 45.
Id. ¶ 46.
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 47.
Adv. D.I. 8 (Mediator's Report).
D.I. 977, 978.
Tr. 6/29/18 at 18:3-18:25.
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 54.
JX 96 (demonstrative exhibit).
The "Term Priority Defined Collateral" is defined in the Final DIP Order as "all Equipment, Fixtures, Real Property, Intellectual Property (as defined below) and the Capital Stock of domestic subsidiaries of AGI Holdco, Inc., all as more particularly described on Schedule T-l of the DIP Credit Agreement." JX 14 at 29. The Final DIP Order provides that Capitalized Terms not defined in the same paragraph have the meaning ascribed to them in the Intercreditor Agreement. Schedule T-l is found at D.I. 194-1 at 62-75.
The "DIP Priority Collateral" is defined in the Final DIP Order as "all DIP Collateral other than the Term Priority Collateral." JX 14 at 29. The Final DIP Order provides that "Term Priority Collateral" is defined in the Intercreditor Agreement and "for the avoidance of doubt, excludes all prepaid inventory, inventory deposits, and, solely on account of assets that otherwise constitute ABL Priority Collateral, (x) prepaid expenses and (y) all other current assets." JX 14 at 11. "DIP Collateral" is defined in the Final DIP Order as "collectively, all assets and properties (whether tangible, intangible, real, personal, or mixed) of the Debtors, whether now owned by or owing to, or hereafter acquired by, or arising in favor of, the Debtors, (including under any trade names, styles, or derivations thereof), and whether owned or consigned by or to, or leased from or to, or hereafter acquired by, the Debtors, and regardless of where located, before or after the Petition Date, including without limitation: (i) all Prepetition Collateral, ABL Priority Collateral, and Term Priority Collateral; (ii) all cash and cash equivalents, (iii) all funds in any deposit account, securities account or other account of the Debtors and all cash and other property deposited therein or credited thereto from time to time; (iv) all accounts and other receivables (including those owed to the Debtors generated by intercompany transactions); (v) all contracts and contract rights; (vi) all instruments, documents and chattel paper; (vii) all securities (whether or not marketable); (viii) all goods, as-extracted collateral, equipment, inventory and fixtures; (ix) all real property interests; (x) all interests in leaseholds, (xi) all franchise rights; (xii) Intellectual Property (as defined below); (xiii) all general intangibles (xiv) all capital stock, limited liability company interests, partnership interests financial assets, and current assets; (xv) all investment property; (xvi) all supporting obligations; (xvii) all letters of credit issued to the Debtors and letter of credit rights; (xviii) all commercial tort claims (including D & O claims); (xix) all other claims and causes of action and the proceeds thereof (excluding, however, all Avoidance Actions and the proceeds thereof); (xx) all books and records (including, without limitation, customers lists, credit files, computer programs, printouts and other computer materials and records); (xxi) to the extent not covered by the foregoing, all other goods, assets or properties of the Debtors, whether tangible, intangible, real, personal or mixed including prepaid expenses, prepaid inventory, and inventory deposits; and (xxii) all products, offspring, profits, and proceeds of each of the foregoing and all accessions to, substitutions and replacements for, and rents, profits and products of, each of the foregoing, any and all proceeds of any insurance, indemnity, warranty or guaranty payable to such Debtor from time to time with respect to any of the foregoing." JX 14 at 28-29.
JX 14 at 45-47.
JX 66; JX 65. THL valued all of the assets at an amount that exceeds the Sale Proceeds, so THL argues that the Sales Proceeds should be allocated $ 20.02 million (82.76%) to Intellectual Property; $ 1.25 million (5.14%) to Accounts Receivable; and $ 2.94 million (12.11%) to inventory. THL Proposed Findings of Fact (D.I. 1059), ¶ 163.
JX 64; JX 63.
JX 51.
JX 21 at 234:9-234:14.
JX 66 at 6.
Tr. 7/13/2018 at 43:3-43:11; 46:21-47:2 (Peress).
Id. at 47:15-50:9 (Peress).
Id. at 75:3-75:17; JX 66 at 46, 106. Hilco's reports dated August 15, 2017 (one determining Net Orderly Liquidation Value (see JX 66 at 9) and one determining Net Forced Liquidation Value (see JX 66 at 69) ) have a valuation date as of June 30, 2017, and are referred to herein as the "August 2017 Reports."
Tr. 7/13/2018 at 83:23-84:25 (Peress).
Id. at 84:18-84:25.
JX 66 at 6.
JX 64 at 6, ¶ 7.
Tr. 7/13/2018 at 143:17-145:1 (Donohue).
JX 64 at 19-28.
JX 64 at 23, ¶ 54.
Id. ¶ 55.
Id. ¶ 56.
See JX 69 at 64.
Tr. 7/13/2018 at 154:14-155:23 (Donohue); JX 64 ¶¶ 61-67; JX 88 at 6-7.
JX 64 at 19, ¶ 44.
JX 64 at 19-22; Tr. 7/13/2018 at 158:22-163:21 (Donohue).
Tr. 7/13/2018 at 64:14-66:5; 67:10-68:1 (Peress).
Id. at 68:12-72:16 (Peress).
Id. at 73:7-75:2 (Peress).
See JX 64 at 26, ¶ 67.
Tr. 7/13/2018 at 194:12-196:4 (Donohue).
Tr. 7/13/2018 at 79:8-79:21 (Peress).
JX 15 (Decl. of Michelle Handy); See also In re Aerogroup Int'l, Inc. , Case No. 17-11962,
JX 66.
JX 66 at 6, 127.
Tr. 7/13/2018 at 113:9-314:11 (Peress).
Tr. 7/13/2018 at 106:22-107:18 (Peress).
Tr. 7/13/2018 at 177:10-179:3 (Donohue).
JX 66 at 66, 126; JX 64 at 56.
In re Motors Liquidation Co. ,
THL Proposed Findings of Fact (D.I. 1059) ("THL PFF"), ¶ 163.
In the THL Proposed Findings of Fact, THL criticizes Polk's expert for "improperly assum[ing] that the total value of the Company's assets could not exceed the $ 24.25 million purchase price, and he therefore worked backward from that number to determine the value of the Intellectual Property" and notes that the expert "admitted on cross-examination ... [that] in the context of a bankruptcy sale, assets can be sold for less than the value of those assets." (citing Tr. 7/13/2018 at 183 (Donohue) ). THL PFF, ¶ 135.
JX 8, ¶ O.
JX 14 at 30 (emphasis added).
JX 14, ¶ 12.
Id. ¶ 12(b).
Steven J. Hazel, a Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, is a Certified Public Accountant and is certified in Financial Forensics. He earned the Accredited Senior Appraiser designation from the American Society of Appraisers, the Accredited in Business Valuation designation from the American Society of Public Accountants and the Certified Valuation Analyst designation from the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts, among other qualifications. JX 65 at 1, 12-13.
JX 65 at 5.
Henry F. Owsley is a Chief Executive Officer of the Gordian Group, LLC, which is an investment banking firm that specializes in advising companies and their constituencies in a variety of financial matters, most of which require valuation work and analysis, JX 63 at 2, 15-16.
JX 63 at 8.
Tr. 6/29/2018 at 182:21-183:7 (Owsley); JX 21 at 60.
Tr. 6/29/2018 at 183:8-184:24 (Owsley).
JX 63 at 3, ¶ 7.
JX 69 at 4-5.
In re Motors Liquidation Co. ,
JX 8.
Tr. 7/13/2018 at 31:8-32:11 (Shinder).
Tr. 6/29/2018 at 232:18-232:22 (Owsley); 244:2-244:18 (Hazel).
JX 63 at 8, ¶ 17; Tr. 6/29/2018 at 182:15-183:7; 212:3-213:15 (Owsley).
JX 60; Tr. 6/29/2018 at 251:12-255:14 (Hazel).
JX 60.
Tr. 6/29/2018 at 252:14-253:4 (Hazel).
JX 60; Tr. 6/29/2018 at 254:4-254:25 (Hazel).
JX 65 at 8.
JX 67 at 5, ¶ 11; Tr. 6/29/2018 at 184:6-184:24 (Owsley).
JX 21 at 60. I do not accord much weight to the buyer's statements at the end of the auction with respect to value since the buyer may have other purposes for selecting values. But I do note the buyer's statement that inventory deposits have at least some value to be meaningful.
JX 63 at 8, ¶ 17;
JX 59.
Tr. 6/29/2018 at 247:3-249:6 (Hazel); JX 69 at 4.
JX 65 at 6-7.
JX 63 at 6-7, ¶ 15; JX 64 at 14-15.
JX 64 at 14, ¶ 26.
JX 14 at 30, ¶ 12(e).
JX 65 at 9.
Value , Black's Law Dictionary (10th ed. 2014).
Dr. Israel Shaked and Robert F. Reilly, A Practical Guide to Bankruptcy Valuation 297 (Am. Bankr. Institute 2013).
JX 65 at 9.
JX 66 at 44. Also relevant to this discussion, Donohue noted that Black's Law Dictionary defines "goodwill" as follows:
A business's reputation, patronage, and other intangible assets that are considered when appraising the business, esp. for purchase; the ability to earn income in excess of the income that would be expected from the business viewed as a mere collection of assets. Because an established business's trademark or servicemark is a symbol of goodwill, trademark infringement is a form of theft of goodwill. By the same token, when a trademark is assigned, the goodwill that it carries is also assigned.
Goodwill , Black's Law Dictionary (10th ed. 2014). See JX 64 at 14 ¶ 27.
JX 66 at 44.
See Shaked, supra note 174, at 298.
JX 69 at 6; Tr. 6/29/2018 at 260:8-260:24 (Hazel).
Tr. 6/29/2018 at 265:19-266:16 (Hazel).
JX 69 at 8.
Tr. 7/13/2018 at 186:8-187:10 (Donohue).
Fremont Fin. Corp. v. Izzo (In re Rack Eng'g Co.) ,
JX 14, at 17-19 ¶ P(vii)(i).
Indian Palms ,
Joint Pretrial Memo, ¶ 20.
Id. ¶ 21.
Adversary Proceeding Complaint, ¶ 71. Section 2(f) of the Lender Agreement provides: "All amounts owed by the Prepetition Term Loan Agent pursuant to the Lender Allocation shall be paid to the DIP Lender immediately following consummation of a 363 Sale or within thirty (30) days of the exercise of remedies pursuant Section 2(b) of this Agreement." JX 24 at 3.
Adv. Pro. 1850383, D.I. 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4.
JX 24 at 5, ¶ 7.
Wechsler v. Hunt Health Systems, Ltd. ,
Petroleum Kings ,
I make no decision today with respect to post-judgment interest. That request is denied, without prejudice.
Thor 725 8th Ave. LLC v. Goonetilleke ,
Reference
- Full Case Name
- IN RE: AEROGROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC., Debtors. Polk Lending 33, LLC v. THL Corporate Finance, Inc.
- Cited By
- 5 cases
- Status
- Published