Publications
Publications
- March 2016 (Revised February 2019)
- HBS Case Collection
Central European Distribution Corporation: Hostile Takeover, Bankruptcy Makeover
By: Stuart C. Gilson and Sarah L. Abbott
Abstract
In early 2013, Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC), a large publicly traded producer and distributer of vodka and spirits in Eastern and Central Europe, has suffered significant declines in its financial performance, is at risk of defaulting on its debt, and is under pressure from its largest shareholders to give them control of the board and to restructure its debt to avoid bankruptcy. The largest shareholder, billionaire Russian investor Roustam Tariko, has proposed an out of court exchange offer for CEDC's publicly traded bonds and investment in CEDC's stock that would give him full ownership of the company. If the exchange offer fails, the company will file for prepackaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States.
Keywords
Hostile Takeover; Accounting Restatement; Activist Shareholder; Restructuring; Mergers and Acquisitions; Financial Statements; Corporate Governance; Investment Activism; Distribution Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; United States; Russia; Europe
Citation
Gilson, Stuart C., and Sarah L. Abbott. "Central European Distribution Corporation: Hostile Takeover, Bankruptcy Makeover." Harvard Business School Case 216-059, March 2016. (Revised February 2019.)