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August 5, 2022

Different Forms of Corporate Restructuring to Consider

Corporate restructuring is the process of changing the structure of a business with an aim to make it more profitable. It is considered as an essential part of successful business acquisition and growth. Many companies reorganize their business to improve efficiency and increase profits. There are others also who perform restructuring as a way of reviving a financially distressed business. The management of a company facing liquidation will make a slew of changes to its operations in order to achieve the desired objectives.

Corporate restructuring comes in mainly two core forms:

Financial restructuring: The businesses with debt burden need to carry out financial restructuring to reduce liabilities and increase profitability.

Organisation restructuring: This type of restructuring is performed when a company’s organisational structure becomes ineffective due to various reasons like complex employee structures.

Reasons for corporate restructuring

The following are some of the reasons that force a company to consider restructuring:

  • Financial distress: a company is losing money as a result of high costs and growing debts. Here the management may sell less important assets and use the generated cash flows to save the company from going into liquidation.
  • Business expansion: If one company is buying another company, developing a new business strategy is necessary. So here, the company will carry out restructuring process to ensure efficiency.
  • Management issues: Expansion and growth will result in the creation of complex management hierarchy. A restructuring can help address this problem.
  • Legal compliance: Because of the advent of new laws, the company needs to review the process altogether and adapt quickly into the new environment.
Types of Corporate Restructuring

The following are the main types of corporate restructuring:

1. Mergers and Acquisitions

An ideal way to increase profitability in a business is to merge an existing company with the other. This process involves buying a business, merging with one and acquiring their assets. M&A will result in increased revenue, market reach and production capacity.

2. Divestiture (Spinoffs and Split-offs)

In Divestiture, a business unit of a company is sold to another company. Companies use this form of restructuring in order to focus on its core units that earn the most revenues and solve financial issues.

The main forms of divestiture are spin-offs and split-offs. Spin-offs refer to a business unit that is lifted out of the parent company and operates as a separate business entity. But in case of split-off, a subsidiary of the parent company is split off from the parent company.

3. Cost Reduction

If one is facing growing debt in a business, it’s mainly because of the high running costs. In these situations, reviewing corporate structure can reduce the overall costs. This involves restructuring departments, removing unnecessary management costs etc.

4. Debt Restructuring

Debt restructuring is one of the main reasons for business restructuring. At a time where the very existence of the company is at risk, debt restructuring process can reduce its liabilities. Here the company can restructure debt and continue its business operations by creating a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), which is a legally binding agreement between the company and its creditors.

5. Legal Restructuring

Legal restructuring is done not because a business is financially struggling, but simply because there is a need for change in legal structure. This may include the introduction of new investors or a change in the ownership structure in case a business entity leaves.

Corporate restructuring helps a company revitalize its operations and achieve desired business goals. Company management will plan and implement all possible measures to keep the business safe. Even when there are deep financial troubles and uncertainties, the corporate restructuring process will help a company stay resilient and return back to profitability.