NEWS from TOKHEIM CORPORATION
CONTACT:
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Robert L. Macdonald Van Negris / Philip J. Denning / John P. Kehoe
Executive Vice President, Finance Kehoe, White, Van Negris & Company, Inc.
and Chief Financial Officer (212) 396-0606
Tokheim Corporation
(219) 470-4683
FOR RELEASE TO NATIONAL CIRCUIT, ANALYSTS, AND TOKHEIM NEWSFAX.
TOKHEIM RECEIVES COURT APPROVAL FOR $20 MILLION
OF NEW $48 MILLION CREDIT FACILITY FROM LENDING GROUP
COURT EXPECTED TO APPROVE REMAINING $28 MILLION
OF NEW $48 MILLION CREDIT FACILITY SHORTLY
TOKHEIM RECEIVES COURT APPROVAL TO CONTINUE TO PAY ITS EMPLOYEES
AND TRADE CREDITORS IN FULL IN THE NORMAL COURSE OF BUSINESS
OCTOBER 4, 2000 SET AS CONFIRMATION HEARING DATE
OF TOKHEIM'S PREPACKAGED FINANCIAL RESTRUCTURING PLAN
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA - AUGUST 31, 2000 - Tokheim Corporation (OTC BB: TOKM)
announced today that, in connection with its previously announced
prepackaged financial restructuring plan under Chapter 11, it has received
an interim order from the Court allowing the Company to access $20 million
of its new $48 million debtor-in-possession (DIP) credit facility provided
by the Company's lending group. The Court is expected to allow the Company
to access the remaining $28 million shortly. Under the terms of the plan,
the entire $48 million credit facility will be converted into a 5 year
revolving facility upon the Company's emergence from the restructuring.
In addition, Tokheim announced that the Court has approved the motions
filed by the Company to allow it to continue to pay its employees and trade
creditors in full in the normal course of business.
The Company also announced that the Court has set October 4, 2000 as the
confirmation hearing date of the Company's prepackaged financial
restructuring plan. The plan does not contemplate any factory closures or
headcount reductions in the Company's domestic operations.
Douglas K. Pinner, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Tokheim, stated: "We are gratified by the strong support that our lending
group has demonstrated by providing Tokheim with a substantial credit
facility. It is a ringing endorsement of their belief in the opportunities
available to Tokheim as global market leader.
"When we emerge from the prepackaged financial restructuring process, we
will have improved financial strength, an appropriately capitalized balance
sheet, made possible in part by this additional $48 million credit
facility, and the resources to finance the growth we expect in the coming
years.
-- m o r e --
"We wish to extend our thanks to our valued customers and vendors for their
support of Tokheim in the wake of the unforeseen market disruption caused
by the mergers among the major oil companies and by the weakening of
European currencies against the U.S. dollar. Together with the support of
our vendors, Tokheim will continue offering its customers a portfolio of
`best-in-class' product solutions, that matches the breadth and depth of
the markets we serve, and help our customers and vendors maintain and
expand their market presence."
Tokheim, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana has grown to become the world's
largest producer of petroleum dispensing devices. Tokheim Corporation
manufactures and services electronic and mechanical petroleum dispensing
systems. These systems include petroleum dispensers and pumps, retail
automation systems (such as point-of-sale systems), dispenser payment or
"pay-at-the-pump" terminals, replacement parts, and upgrade kits.
Certain statements in this release, including statements preceded by,
followed by or that include the words "may," "will," "should," "could,"
"expects," "plans," "anticipate," "believes," "estimates," "predicts,"
"potential," or "continue" or the negative of such terms and other
comparable terminology and words of similar import, constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act, Section 21C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve
known and unknown risks that may cause the actual results of the Company to
differ materially from any results expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements. These risks include: inability to complete the
Chapter 11 proceedings as expeditiously as contemplated; inability to
obtain the requisite court approval for the restructuring plan; changes to
the terms of the restructuring plan; increases in the Company's cost of
borrowing, or a default under any material debt agreement; inability to
achieve anticipated cost savings or revenue growth; dependence on the
retail petroleum industry; business disruptions; material adverse changes
in economic conditions in the markets we serve; inability to forecast or
achieve future operating results; fluctuations in exchange rates among
various foreign currencies; costs in adjusting to the Euro; changes in, or
failure of the Company to comply with current and future governmental,
environmental or other regulatory actions and conditions in our operating
areas; competition from others in the industry; increases in labor costs
and relations with union bargaining units representing our employees; the
integration of our operations with those of businesses we have acquired or
may acquire in the future and the realization of the expected benefits;
failure to obtain new customers or retain existing customers; inability to
protect proprietary technology or to integrate new technologies; changes in
business strategy or development plans; lack of funds for capital
expenditures or R&D; inability to carry out strategies to accelerate new
product development programs; changed demand for new products; loss of key
management; adverse publicity; contingent claims asserted against the
Company; and loss of significant customers or suppliers; and other risks
and uncertainties as may be detailed from time to time in our public
announcements and SEC filings. Given these uncertainties, investors are
cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements. The
Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to announce
publicly the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking
statements contained in this release to reflect future events or
developments.
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