Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) (NYSE:GWR) announced today that in
connection with the preparation of its Form 10-Q for the three and nine
month periods ended September 30, 2006, GWI has determined that it will
record non-cash expense in the third quarter of 2006 of US$34.1 million
after-tax, or $0.90 per share, reflecting the write-down of the
non-current assets and related charges of its Mexican railroad
operations, Ferrocarriles Chiapas-Mayab, S.A. de C.V. ("FCCM") and GW
Servicios S.A. ("Servicios").
In October 2005, FCCM's operations were struck by Hurricane Stan with
the most severe impact concentrated in the State of Chiapas between the
town of Tonala and the Guatemalan border. Approximately seventy bridges
were damaged or destroyed and various segments of track were washed out.
Over the past twelve months, FCCM has been working with the Mexican
Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT) and other Mexican
government agencies to develop a reconstruction plan for the damaged
portion of the railroad. As announced by GWI in July 2006, FCCM received
a letter from the SCT indicating that the SCT intended to fund 75% of
the US$20 million expected cost to rebuild the rail line subject to
certain conditions. That project was expected to begin prior to year-end
2006.
Since July 2006, FCCM has been negotiating a formal agreement with the
SCT and undertaking project design work. However, recent actions taken
by the National Water Commission ("CNA") and other Mexican government
agencies in the storm-damaged area have significantly increased the cost
of the rail line reconstruction project and have made the timetable to
completion uncertain. As a result, it is not clear that adequate
resources are available to fund the project.
For the twelve months ended September 30, 2006, FCCM recorded operating
losses of $4.2 million (excluding the write-down), reducing GWI's
diluted EPS by approximately $0.07. Going forward, GWI expects to
continue to incur operating losses from the Mexican business and may
record additional charges, depending on the outcome of discussions with
the Mexican Government.
GWI is engaged in a number of actions seeking rapid resolution of the
situation. First, FCCM continues to be positively engaged with the SCT
regarding restoration of the Chiapas line and financial support for
FCCM. Second, FCCM has filed a formal request with the Mexican
Government for financial compensation for damages caused by Hurricane
Stan. Third, if these actions are not successful, GWI is pursuing other
options for the railroad.
As previously disclosed, on September 15, 2006, Servicios was unable to
fund its principal and interest payment of US$1.9 million due under its
loan agreements, and GWI decided not to advance these funds to
Servicios. As a result, the lenders to the Mexican operations have the
right to accelerate the outstanding debt and commence actions to (i)
collect on the entire outstanding balance under the loan agreements
(approximately US$15.2 million), or (ii) exercise their rights to the
collateral pledged under the loan agreements, including FCCM's rolling
stock and GWI's shares in FCCM and Servicios. If the lenders accelerate
the outstanding debt, they may demand immediate payment of $8.9 million
pursuant to GWI's partial guarantee of the debt. Neither this payment
default, nor any action taken by the lenders to collect under the loan
agreements, will result in a default under GWI's other outstanding debt
obligations.
John C. Hellmann, President of GWI, commented, "The increased cost and
indefinite timing of the Chiapas rail line reconstruction have resulted
in an unsustainable business for FCCM. Without support from the Mexican
Government during the reconstruction period, FCCM is not a viable
enterprise. Despite the increasingly difficult situation, FCCM's
management and employees have demonstrated the highest professionalism
and commitment in their efforts to preserve the business and to ensure
the safety of its operations. GWI continues to seek an agreement with
the Mexican Government as quickly as possible."
Genesee & Wyoming
Timothy J. Gallagher, 203-629-3722
Chief Financial Officer
Website: www.gwrr.com