COMMISSION DECISION
of 7 December 2005
on the State Aid implemented by Belgium for ABX Logistics (No C 53/2003 (ex NN 62/2003))
(notified under document number C(2005) 4447)
(Only the French and Dutch texts are authentic)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2006/947/EC)
1. PROCEDURE
2. GENERAL CONTEXT OF THE RESTRUCTURING OF ABX
2.1. The principal stages of the procedure
2.1.1. Notification of 17 February 2003
2.1.2. The Commission's doubts as at 23 July 2003
2.1.3. Supplementary notifications
2.1.4. Extension of the procedure on 3 May 2005
2.1.5. Further information
2.2. Activities of ABX
|
Owned (or leased) |
Subcontracted |
Transport capacity (lorries) |
3 % |
97 % |
Transport capacity (planes) |
0 |
100 % |
Transport capacity (ships) |
0 |
100 % |
2.3. Creation of the ABX network
2.3.1. Acquisition of companies in the ABX network by SNCB
2.3.2. Reinvestments made by SNCB in 2001
Yearly growth rate of EBIT |
[...] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount rate |
[...] |
|
|
|
|
|
Terminal value |
Year |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
Discount factor |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
|
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
Terminal value |
Turnover |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
|
Pre-tax operating profit |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
Use of the surplus EUR [...]million at the acquisition price |
[...] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment of EUR [...]million in 2001 |
[...] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Free Cash Flows |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
Weighted average cost of capital |
9 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total discounted cash flow |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
IRR |
10,04 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2000A |
Budget 2001 (drawn up at end 2000) |
Budget 2002 (drawn up at end 2001)(19) |
Turnover |
54,1 |
60,9 |
86,4 |
Operating profit (EBIT) |
-2,59 |
-2,73 |
0,68 |
Yearly growth rate of EBIT |
[…] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount rate |
[…] |
|
|
|
|
|
Terminal value |
Year |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
Discount factor |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
|
2000A |
Budget 2001 drawn up at end 2000 |
Budget 2002 drawn up at end 2001(20) |
Plan 2003(21) |
Plan 2004(21) |
Plan 2005(21) |
Terminal value |
Turnover |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
|
Pre-tax operating profit |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
|
Recapitalisation of EUR 12,2 million in 2001 |
[…] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Free Cash Flows |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
Weighted average cost of capital |
9 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total discounted cash flow |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
IRR |
11,3 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2000 actual |
2001 budget |
2002 forecast |
2003 forecast |
Turnover |
516,0 |
631,0 |
626,0 |
664,0 |
Operating profit (EBT) |
-6,1 |
-19,6 |
-8,2 |
4,6 |
Net profit |
-2,1 |
-28,4 |
-11,6 |
4,0 |
Source: Recovery plan, page 43; conversion rate: EUR 1 = FRF 6,55957 |
Yearly growth rate of EBIT |
[…] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount rate |
[…] |
|
|
|
|
|
Terminal value |
Year |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
Discount factor |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
|
2000 actual |
2001 budget |
2002 forecast |
2003 forecast |
Plan 2004(22) |
Plan 2005(22) |
Terminal value |
Turnover |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
|
Net profit |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
Recapitalisation of EUR 30 million in 2001 |
[…] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Free Cash Flows |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
Weighted average cost of capital |
9 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total discounted cash flow |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
IRR |
14,0 % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.3.3. ‘Parallel contributions’ from SNCB to ABX
|
Net profit 2002 |
Net profit budgeted for 2003(24) |
ABX Logistics (Ireland) Ltd. |
-0,3 |
0,0 |
ABX Logistics (Portugal) Lda |
-3,5 |
-0,3 |
ABX Logistics Int. (Belgium) SA/NV |
-2,0 |
-0,8 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
(2) |
|
|
Turnover 2002 (actual) |
Operating profit (EBIT) 2002 (actual) |
Net profit 2002 (actual) |
Net losses 2002 as % of turnover |
Total amount of conversions |
|
Acc. to original plan(25) |
Actually carried out |
|||||
ABX Logistics (Ireland) Ltd. |
31,4 |
0,2 |
-0,3 |
-1 % |
3,2 |
4,3 |
ABX Logistics (Portugal) Lda. |
13,7 |
-1,3 |
-3,5 |
-25 % |
2,0 |
2,0 |
ABX Logistics Int. (Belgium) SA/NV |
39,0 |
-0,5 |
-2,0 |
-5 % |
12,0 |
2,0 |
|
|
|
|
|
17,2 |
8,3 |
2.4. Role of the state in SNCB's decisions concerning ABX
2.4.1. SNCB's board of directors and activities
2.4.2. Conclusions of the Court of Auditors
2.4.3. Council of Ministers involvement in the restructuring of ABX
2.4.4. SNCB's financing capacity from 1998 to 2001
3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ABX RESTRUCTURING AND PRIVATISATION MEASURES
3.1. Integration and reorganisation of the ABX group
3.2. Measures specific to ABX Germany
3.3. Measures specific to ABX Netherlands
3.4. Divestiture of domestic road activity in France
3.4.1. Selection of an MBO
3.4.2. Cost of the different scenarios
|
MBO |
Voluntary or amicable liquidation |
Court-ordered or compulsory liquidation |
Negative equity at 30/9/2004 |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
Losses expected in last quarter 2004 |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
Negative equity estimated at 31/12/2004 |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
Of which, debt to SNCB |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
Reductions in value of intangible assets |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
Capital gain on sale of Contract Logistics to MGF, not yet recorded |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
Capital gain on transfer of Eurocargo, Air&Sea, Mitjavile and Lacombe |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
Finalisation of current redundancy programme (PSE4) — 2004 expenditure |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
Coverage of losses 2005 for activities not included in the MBO |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
Cash impact for SNCB before choice of divestiture scenario |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
(Negative) transfer price — maximum |
[…] |
|
|
Coverage of losses during redundancy programme negotiation period — 2005 |
|
[…] |
|
Coverage of losses for 4 extra months — 2006 (risk) |
|
-15 |
|
New redundancy programme for remaining staff |
|
[…] |
|
Termination of lease contracts |
|
-8 |
|
Termination of other contracts |
|
-6 |
|
Risk […] for SNCB […] |
|
|
|
Commercial debts to suppliers at 31.12.2004 |
|
|
|
Company's debts to staff |
|
|
|
Redundancy programme for staff of ABX France |
|
|
[…] |
Compensation of creditors — Leases |
|
|
-8 |
Compensation of creditors — Other contracts |
|
|
-6 |
Risk of the SNCB guarantee being used for debts to Soc. Gen/Natexis |
|
|
|
Loss of value of the ABX LOGISTICS group |
|
|
-112 |
Cost of additional redundancies following drop in volume |
|
|
[…] |
Impact on the need for operating capital |
|
|
-45 |
Impact on cost of financing SNCB's bank debt |
|
|
-14 |
Impact on cost of financing bank debt of ABX LOGISTICS |
|
|
-7 |
Total cost SNCB |
- 137,5 |
-183 |
-346 |
EUR million, based on the forecasts available at end 2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
Total |
|
In France |
|||||
Road International France |
|||||
|
Budgeted gross margin |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
|
|
Loss of customers in % |
30 % |
15 % |
7,5 % |
|
|
Estimated impact on EBIT |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
8,8 |
Air&Sea France |
|||||
|
Budgeted gross margin |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
|
|
Loss of customers in % |
10 % |
6 % |
2 % |
|
|
Estimated impact on EBIT |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
3,1 |
Outside France |
|||||
Road Germany |
|
||||
|
Budgeted gross margin |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
|
|
Loss of customers in % |
30 % |
15 % |
7,5 % |
|
|
Estimated impact on EBIT |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
46,7 |
Air&Sea Germany |
|
||||
|
Budgeted gross margin |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
|
|
Loss of customers in % |
5 % |
3 % |
1 % |
|
|
Estimated impact on EBIT |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
3,1 |
Road Domestic Netherlands |
|
||||
|
Budgeted gross margin |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
|
|
Loss of customers in % |
30 % |
15 % |
7,5 % |
|
|
Estimated impact on EBIT |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
3,3 |
Road Domestic Belgium |
|
||||
|
Budgeted gross margin |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
|
|
Loss of customers in % |
30 % |
15 % |
7,5 % |
|
|
Estimated impact on EBIT |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
16,5 |
Other countries and product lines |
|
||||
|
Budgeted gross margin |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
|
|
Loss of customers in % |
5 % |
3 % |
1 % |
|
|
Estimated impact on EBIT |
[…] |
[…] |
[…] |
25,2 |
Total |
|||||
|
Budgeted gross margin |
455,6 |
489,7 |
519,7 |
|
|
Loss of customers in % |
14 % |
7 % |
3 % |
|
|
Estimated impact on EBIT |
61,6 |
34,4 |
16,4 |
112,4 |
3.4.3. Other considerations put forward by the Belgian authorities
3.5. Reduction of the ABX network
Germany |
|
|
Netherlands |
|
Schenker/Stinnes |
57 |
|
DHL/Danzas (Van Gend&Loos) |
17 |
IDS (Elix) |
37 |
|
Frans Maas |
13 |
Dachser |
34 |
|
Vos Logistics |
10 |
DHL/Danzas |
32 |
|
Wim Bosman |
8 |
ABX Logistics |
30 |
|
ABX Logistics |
4 |
Source: Websites; estimates by ABX Logistics |
3.6. Loans granted by SNCB to ABX in 2002
3.7. Privatisation of ABX-WW
4. OBSERVATIONS FROM INTERESTED PART IES
4.1. Initiation of the procedure
4.2. Extension of the procedure
5. COMMENTS FROM BELGIUM
5.1. Initiating and extending the procedure
5.2. Reply from the Belgian authorities on the observations made by third parties
6. COMMISSION'S ASSESSMENT
6.1. Presence of state aid
6.1.1. Investments made in 2001 and parallel contributions
6.1.2. Recapitalisation measures
6.1.3. Loans in 2002
6.1.4. Guarantee granted for setting up a cash pool
6.1.5. Other SNCB off-balance sheet commitments
6.1.6. Disposal of the Road domestic France business
6.1.7. Sale of ABX-WW
6.2. Compatibility of restructuring aid
6.2.1. Eligibility
EUR million |
|||
|
31.12.2003 |
31.12.2004 |
30.06.2005 |
Bank current accounts |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
Financial debts of over one year maturing during the year |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
Short-term bank overdraft |
[...] |
[...] |
[...] |
Net liquid position |
-36,8 |
-62,2 |
- 114,4 |
6.2.2. Restoring viability
6.2.3. Avoidance of undue distortions of competition
6.2.4. Aid limited to the minimum
|
31.12.03 |
31.12.04 |
30.6.05 |
31.12.05 before conversion |
31.12.05 after conversion |
31.12.05 after conversion and elimination of goodwill |
31.12.06 |
31.12.07 |
Consolidated equity |
185,8 |
173,9 |
158 |
131,9 |
300 |
154 |
[...] |
[...] |
Financial debts |
369 |
414,3 |
407 |
407 |
239 |
239 |
[...] |
[...] |
Debt ratio |
199 % |
238 % |
258 % |
309 % |
80 % |
155 % |
[...] |
[...] |
Redundancies, closures |
-49,0 |
Cash drain during restructuring (net productivity gains) |
- 121,0 |
Debt to SNCB (prior to 2002) |
-60,0 |
Interest on SNCB debts (debt prior to 2002 + rescue aid) |
-8,0 |
Repayments of credits and loans following bank withdrawals |
[...] |
Repayments by Yvan of other guarantees and debts to ABX's creditors |
[...] |
Reduction in working capital needed |
29,1 |
Total |
- 296,6 |