Optima Specialty Steel, Inc. and four of its affiliates have filed petitions for chapter 11 bankruptcy relief in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 16-12789 (KJC)). The Debtors are leading independent manufacturers of specialty steel products utilized in various industries, including the energy and transportation markets. The petition lists between $100 million and $500 million in both assets and liabilities. Factors such as low oil prices and a strong U.S. Dollar as well as the Debtors’ significant debt load all contributed to the decision to seek chapter 11 relief.  According to the First Day Declaration, the Debtors exhausted their out-of-court alternatives and hope to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy with a stronger balance sheet and improved operations. Garden City Group is the proposed claims agent. The Debtors seek joint administration of these cases. These cases have been assigned to the Honorable Kevin J. Carey.

Contact Norman L. Pernick and  Nicholas J. Brannick for more information.