Glasslinks

 Auto Glass News 

January 19, 2000 

TCG to Re-Open Closed Coolidge Glass Facilities

December Acquisition Attempt Failed, But Auto Stock Ends Up With Assets 


    TCG International (TCG) is expected to re-open the doors of Coolidge Glass later this month, which had closed its' doors in mid December after a failed attempt to be acquired by TCG. (See Glasslinks Story December 13, 1999). Terms of obtaining the facilities from the banks were not readily available. The opening of eight of Coolidge's former distributions centers include Livonia, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Saginaw, Michigan. The others are St. Louis MO, Fargo ND, Peoria IL, and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

    TCG will operate the warehouses under the name Auto Stock, it's ARG distribution arm, and of which there are eight other warehouses located in the United States. Although Coolidge engaged in flat glass and metal lines, as well as the manufacturing of insulated and tempered glass, it is believed that AutoStock will concentrate mainly on the auto glass side of the business.

    Shortly after the December Acquisition attempt fell apart, TCG senior vice president of financial planning and investments, Steve Schober, was quoted as saying " whenever those assets are disposed of, we may be interested in them the same as any other party.”

    According to Wells Fargo Bank documents obtained by Glasslinks, TCG was tentatively approved for a 'mid-seven to 'low-eight' dollar amount for the assets of Coolidge's Distribution business when it attempted to acquire the assets in December 1999. The fact that the sale was close to closing, and that TCG had plans in place, most likely made for a quick deal with the bank(s) after Coolidge ceased operating when the deal fell through.

    Former Coolidge employees have been contacted regarding returning to work with the new company, and the process of 'start up' has begun with sign changes on the buildings and delivery vehicles. Wells Fargo Bank has also retained the services of ex-Coolidge Credit employee(s) on a short term basis to help evaluate and collect outstanding recievables.

 

Also see Glasslinks related story: Arch Aluminum Acquires Manufacturing Assets of Coolidge

Reported by www.glasslinks.com