Revlon files for bankruptcy, blames supply chain snags

June 16 (Reuters) – Cosmetics maker Revlon Inc (REV.N) has filed for bankruptcy, slipping target to world offer chain disruptions that pushed up uncooked substance costs and prompted vendors to need upfront payments.

Recognized for its nail polishes and lipsticks, the 90-yr-old corporation in the latest a long time has shed shelf place and profits to startups backed by superstars these as Kylie Jenner’s Kylie Cosmetics and Rihanna’s Fenty Attractiveness.

In its personal bankruptcy filing, Revlon mentioned provide chain disruptions in the spring prompted intense level of competition for ingredients applied to make its products. At the exact time, suppliers that ordinarily provided up to 75 times for payment started demanding hard cash in advance of new orders, when labor shortages and inflation added to its troubles, it said.

“For example, a person tube of Revlon lipstick necessitates 35 to 40 uncooked products and part elements, just about every of which is essential to bringing the item to current market,” Robert Caruso, who was hired as Revlon’s main restructuring officer, wrote in a courtroom filing.

“With shortages of required components throughout the company’s portfolio, competitors for any offered materials is steep.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has lengthened ship supply times given that 2020, pushing up freight expenses, while the Russia-Ukraine conflict and lockdowns in Shanghai have additional to supply chain disruptions this 12 months.

Shares in Revlon fell as much as 44% on Thursday on the bankruptcy filing right before closing down 13%.

The shares had halved in sector price in between very last Thursday and shut of investing on Wednesday. Media reviews of a possible bankruptcy submitting emerged on Friday.

Money owed MOUNTED

Revlon, which was formed in 1932 by brothers Charles and Joseph Revson and Charles Lachman, started off selling nail enamel. It was sold in 1985 to MacAndrews & Forbes – which remains the controlling shareholder and is owned by Ron Perelman – and went community 11 years later on.

Revlon bought Elizabeth Arden in an $870 million skincare guess in 2016 to fend off competitiveness. It residences brand names which includes Britney Spears Fragrances and Christina Aguilera Fragrances.

But the company’s income lagged over the several years and in 2021 fell 22% from its 2017 ranges. In contrast, competitors like CoverGirl, owned by Coty Inc (COTY.N), have attained market share by investing greatly to enhance provides.

The company also made headlines two decades in the past when Citigroup Inc (C.N) accidentally sent practically $900 million of its have money to Revlon’s lenders. examine more

Revlon requested its bankrutpcy decide to verify that the Chapter 11 submitting would not prevent Citibank’s ongoing charm around the $504 million it is however striving to get well fom Revlon loan providers. A fast prompt resolution of the dispute would support its individual bankruptcy scenario shift forward, it mentioned in court docket papers.

The mistaken payment is element of a sophisticated struggle involving Revlon’s pre-bankruptcy loan providers, who have jockeyed for regulate for the duration of Revlon’s tries to defer credit card debt payments.

An lawyer symbolizing junior collectors, Clark Whitmore, explained in court that the senior lenders’ “feeding frenzy” would damage worth for stakeholders that are decrease on the foods chain.

Revlon options to fund its bankruptcy case with $575 million in debtor-in-possession funding from its current financial institution foundation.It shown additional than $3.54 billion in liabilities in its court submitting late on Wednesday.

The business stated none of its intercontinental units, apart from Canada and the United Kingdom, are section of the Chapter 11 personal bankruptcy proceedings.

Mittleman Brothers Expense Administration, which retains about 3% of the company’s inventory, expressed hope equity holders would control a decent payout in spite of the personal bankruptcy.

That could transpire if Revlon manages higher profits that make it possible for it to defeat offer chain issues, Chris Mittleman reported in an e mail to Reuters.

Reporting by Maria Ponnezhath and Praveen Paramasivam in Bengaluru Modifying by Arun Koyyur, Shounak Dasgupta and Deepa Babington

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