W.R. Carpenter North America Inc. recently announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, UpRight Inc., a manufacturer of aerial work platforms and telescopic handlers, intends to reorganize under chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and has filed a voluntary chapter 11 petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California, Fresno Division.

Currently, UpRight has decided to temporarily suspend production of new equipment in its U.S. manufacturing facilities located in Madera, CA, and Selma, CA. During the reorganization, UpRight will continue to ship finished goods and focus on servicing its customer base by providing parts, training and technical support. UpRight’s international affiliates, including entities in Ireland, The Netherlands, Singapore and Japan, are not part of the filing.

The combination of the sharp decline in recent customer orders, an overall slowdown in customer payments and the burden of the company’s debt obligations all contributed to the need for the filing. UpRight’s filing also follows a demand for full repayment under a $20 million revolving line of credit from Union Bank of California, N.A., UpRight’s principal lending institution. The company had been in discussions with Union Bank regarding an extension of its revolving line of credit.

"We regret our need to file for chapter 11 protection, but [we] are taking this opportunity to reevaluate our manufacturing strategies and restructure the business," said Ian Menzies, president of UpRight. "The management team is positive and confident about the prospects for leading this company out of bankruptcy and working diligently to restore our prominent position in the aerial work platform business, as well as our valued relationships with our customers, dealers and vendors."

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