KL: A Strange Arrangement Preceded the Bankruptcy of Askon and Sotka
The article discusses the unusual circumstances surrounding the bankruptcy of Indoor Group, which was preceded by the sale of its shares to its CEO at a nominal price by KH Group.
The article from Iltalehti reveals a perplexing situation leading up to the bankruptcy of Indoor Group, the parent company of Askon and Sotka. In November, KH Group sold its shares of Indoor Group to its CEO, Kati Kivimäki, at a nominal price, as reported by Kauppalehti. This sale was a strategic move by KH Group to divest from a company that was on the brink of bankruptcy, in order to avoid reputational damage and other negative repercussions. Analyst Ari Rajala indicates that the decision may have stemmed from the inability to find other buyers for the distressed company, which was showing signs of crisis well before the sale took place.
The transaction raises questions about the state of Indoor Group prior to the sale, suggesting that it was already a financially struggling company in danger of failing. Rajala's analysis implies that the choice to sell to the CEO was a drastic measure taken as the company's situation deteriorated. The lack of other prospective buyers further complicates the narrative, emphasizing that the firm's crisis had reached a critical level, leading to this emergency solution as a last resort for KH Group.
In February, Indoor Group, together with its subsidiary Insofa, officially filed for bankruptcy just three months after the share transfer, marking a dramatic turn of events for the businesses involved. The article highlights the impact of such corporate maneuvers on stakeholders and raises broader concerns about the governance and management practices within companies facing financial distress.