A new era: Wolfspeed emerges from Chapter 11

BY Fraser Tennant

Three months after filing, chipmaker Wolfspeed has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection following the successful completion of its financial restructuring process.

As a result of the restructuring, Wolfspeed has reduced its total debt by approximately 70 percent, with maturities extended to 2030, and lowered its annual cash interest expense by around 60 percent.

In addition, the company maintains ample liquidity to continue supplying customers with leading silicon carbide solutions. With a self-funded business plan supported by free cash flow generation, Wolfspeed is well positioned to leverage its vertically-integrated 200mm manufacturing footprint – underpinned by a secure and scalable US-based supply chain – to drive sustainable growth.

The company filed for Chapter 11 in June, citing production delays at its New York State factory, increased Chinese chip competition and flagging electric vehicle (EV) demand, as well as mounting debt obligations.

“Wolfspeed has emerged from its expedited restructuring process, marking the beginning of a new era,” said Robert Feurle, chief executive of Wolfspeed. “As we enter this new era, we do so with much improved financial stability, a scaled, greenfield and vertically integrated 200mm facility footprint, and our large capital deployment behind us.”

Founded in 1987 under the name Cree, Wolfspeed manufactures a unique semiconductor material – silicon carbide – used in EVs, fast-charging stations and renewable energy storage units. The company also has a lineup of power devices.

“We firmly believe that we are well positioned to capture rising demand in end markets, such as artificial intelligence, EVs, industrial and energy, that are rapidly growing and recognising silicon carbide’s potential,” continued Mr Feurle. “We remain committed to our mission to deliver cutting-edge solutions to our customers to ensure Wolfspeed remains at the forefront of the industry.”

In connection with its emergence from Chapter 11, Wolfspeed has appointed five new directors to join its board, each bringing extensive semiconductor and industry knowledge, and deep accounting and finance expertise.

“I am deeply grateful to our valued employees, who are the key drivers of our success, as well as to our customers, vendors and lenders for their unwavering support and confidence throughout this process,” concluded Mr Feurle. “I look forward to unleashing the full potential of the platform that we have built with a much stronger financial foundation to support us.”

News: Wolfspeed exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy, slashes debt and interest costs

Second time around: Spirit Airlines files for Chapter 11

BY Fraser Tennant

For the second time in a year, no-frills pioneer Spirit Airlines has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in order to facilitate a comprehensive restructuring and position the business for long-term success.

The airline intends to use the Chapter 11 process to implement the broad changes necessary to transition the company for a sustainable future and position it to deliver the best value.  

The Chapter 11 process will provide Spirit with the tools, time and flexibility to continue ongoing discussions with all of its lessors, financial creditors and other parties to implement a financial and operational transformation of the company.

Through the restructuring process, Spirit intends to: (i) focus its flying on key markets to provide more destinations, frequencies and enhanced connectivity in its focus cities; (ii) optimise its fleet to match capacity with profitable demand in line with the redesigned network; and (iii) reinforce efforts to build on its industry-leading cost model by pursuing further efficiencies across the business.

“Since emerging from our previous restructuring, it has become clear that there is much more work to be done and many more tools are available to best position Spirit for the future,” said Dave Davis, president and chief executive of Spirit Airlines. “After thoroughly evaluating our options and considering recent events and the market pressures facing our industry, our board of directors decided that a court-supervised process is the best path forward.”

Spirit expects to be delisted from the NYSE American stock exchange as a result of the Chapter 11 filing and for its common stock to continue to trade in the over the counter marketplace through the bankruptcy process.

“As we move forward, customers can continue to rely on Spirit to provide high-value travel options and connect them with the people and places that matter most,” continued Mr Davis. “On behalf of our board and leadership, I want to thank our team members for their continued dedication, resilience and commitment to delivering a safe, reliable operation and excellent service.”

Florida-based Spirit Airlines serves destinations throughout the US, Latin America and the Caribbean with its all-Airbus Fit Fleet, one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the US.

Mr Davis concluded: “We have evaluated every corner of our business and are proceeding with a comprehensive approach in order to best serve our customers, team members and other stakeholders.”

News: Spirit Airlines files for second bankruptcy in a year as financial challenges persist

TPI Composites files for Chapter 11

BY Fraser Tennant

Amid “industry-wide pressures”, US wind turbine blade maker TPI Composites, along with its domestic subsidiaries, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to pursue a comprehensive restructuring.

To allow it to emerge as a stronger enterprise, TPI has reached an agreement, subject to final documentation and approval of the Bankruptcy Court, with its senior secured lenders comprised of funds affiliated with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management.

The agreement will see Oaktree provide a debtor-in-possession financing facility which is expected to be comprised of up to $27.5m in new money to support TPI’s day to day operations and up to $55m rolled up from the company’s existing senior secured credit facility.

“Industry-wide pressures have created financial challenges that must be addressed,” said Bill Siwek, chief executive of TPI. “We have explored a variety of alternatives to address the challenges we face and believe that a Chapter 11 process is necessary to position the company for success.”

In conjunction with the Chapter 11 proceedings, TPI has filed a number of customary motions with the Bankruptcy Court seeking court authorisation to support its operations, including the payment of employee wages, salaries and benefits.

TPI anticipates receiving court approval for these requests and intends to continue honouring its obligations to key stakeholders post filing, including by satisfying payment obligations to suppliers for goods and services provided in accordance with customary terms after the filing.

“We aim to reach agreement with stakeholders on the terms of a plan of reorganisation for the company to be able to right-size its balance sheet and go forward with the ability to compete successfully in the current economic environment,” continued Mr Siwek. “Doing so will provide access to new liquidity to continue our operations and invest in innovation, ensuring our customers can continue to count on TPI for leading-edge wind blade solutions.”

Focused on innovative and sustainable solutions to decarbonise and electrify the world, TPI operates factories in the US, Mexico, Turkey and India, with additional engineering development centres in Denmark and Germany and global service training centres in the US and Spain.

TPI does not expect any material operational impact from the Chapter 11 proceedings and will continue to operate its manufacturing sites to deliver blade services.

Mr Siwek concluded: “I am grateful to our associates for their dedication in continuing to deliver outstanding service, and to our customers, suppliers, service providers and other stakeholders for their steadfast support during this restructuring.”

News: Oaktree to take over wind blade maker TPI after bankruptcy

3D printer maker Desktop Metal files for Chapter 11

BY Fraser Tennant

US 3D printer manufacturer Desktop Metal, along with more than a dozen of its US affiliates, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Southern District of Texas. 

According to court documents, Desktop Metal – a subsidiary of machinery industry company Nano Dimension – has assets and liabilities in the range of $100m to $500m.

The decision to file for Chapter 11 was made by Desktop Metal’s independent board of directors after exploring strategic alternatives to address significant liabilities and liquidity needs stemming from decisions made by its prior management.

Although the filing means that the company is unable to meet contractual obligations regarding services or pay, Desktop Metal will retain control of its business operations while it undergoes reorganisation, including a planned sale of its subsidiaries.

To that end, the company is in discussions to sell a number of its foreign subsidiaries – ExOne GmbH, EnvisionTEC GmbH, ExOne KK, and AIDRO srl – to an affiliate of Anzu Partners, an investment firm that focuses on cleantech, industrial and life science technology companies.

Should the court-supervised process be successful, the sale will go toward repaying part of Desktop Metal’s debts, resulting in a stabilisation of the remaining corporate structure.

“We are safeguarding our financial strength and preserving our position as the best capitalised company in our ecosystem,” said Ofir Baharav, chief executive of Nano Dimension. “This is what enables Desktop Metal to pursue strategic opportunities from a position of maximum strength – and that is exactly what the company’s shareholders should expect from us.”

Nano Dimension acquired Desktop Metal in a $179.3m transaction in April 2025.

Driving a new era of digital mass production of industrial, military, medical and consumer products, the Massachusetts-based Desktop Metal’s innovative 3D printers, materials and software save time and money, reduce waste, increase flexibility and enable once-impossible innovations.

In a statement, Desktop Metal said it valued its stakeholders – employees, customers, vendors and other partners – and would be communicating with them directly regarding next steps in the coming days.

News: Nano Dimension subsidiary Desktop Metal files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Glucose monitoring firm LifeScan files for Chapter 11

BY Fraser Tennant

As part of a plan to be taken over by its creditors, blood glucose monitoring device manufacturer LifeScan has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under a prearranged restructuring support agreement (RSA).

Through the RSA, LifeScan expects to reduce more than 75 percent of its $1.275bn debt, which will enable the company to accelerate strategic investments that will support the future of the business.

LifeScan’s international subsidiaries are not included in the Chapter 11 filing in the US.

LifeScan expects to emerge from the bankruptcy process under the majority ownership of a group of the company’s existing lenders, with whom it has had a longstanding and productive relationship. The company’s financial partners recognise the strong and growing potential of the glucose management industry, and through this process have committed their support for LifeScan’s go-forward strategy.

A global leader in blood glucose monitoring and digital health technology, LifeScan’s OneTouch brand products help more than 20 million people with diabetes and their caregivers around the world improve the quality of life for people with diabetes with products and digital platforms defined by simplicity, accuracy and trust.

“This balance sheet restructuring will significantly strengthen LifeScan’s financial position, enabling us to continue serving more than 20 million customers across 50-plus countries and put new growth strategies in place,” said Valerie Asbury, chief executive of LifeScan. “With a stronger financial foundation upon emerging from this process, LifeScan will be better positioned to invest in its global business.”

This investment will see LifeScan continue to prioritise product availability and superior customer service as it works proactively to become one of the most comprehensive players in the glucose management industry. As part of this effort, the company intends to accelerate strategies in the US market that offer both stronger economics and more predictable patient access.

“In the US, we will continue to take action to expand access to OneTouch so consumers can continue to manage their health with our reliable and affordable products, without the need for a prescription,” continued Ms Asbury. “We recognise that our products are essential for people with diabetes to make life-sustaining decisions and are evolving our model to bring products and services to market through multiple channels.”

LifeScan intends to operate in the ordinary course throughout the restructuring proceedings and anticipates emerging by the end of 2025, with a strengthened balance sheet and enhanced liquidity to support its US and international growth initiatives.

Ms Asbury concluded: “LifeScan is deeply grateful for the partnership of its lenders and sponsor and the unyielding commitment of its employees, which will enable it to become a stronger company and create a world without limits for people with diabetes.”

News: Vital diabetes care health care brand files Chapter 11 bankruptcy