Judge rejects Ahern Rentals appeal

Ahern Rentals lost its appeal against a court ruling that ended its exclusive right to file a plan of reorganisation. The Las Vegas rental company, which entered Chapter 11 in December 2011, said it had appealed the ruling.

The United States District Court Judge Larry R Hicks dismissed Ahern's appeal against a court ruling in December that refused to extend Ahern’s exclusive right to file a plan of reorganisation.

The latest ruling opens the way for creditors to propose alternative reorganisation plans.

Howard Brown, Ahern Rental’s chief financial officer, said, "Needless to say, we are very disappointed in the ruling by Judge Hicks and immediately filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals."

In an exclusive interview with Access Lift & Handlers magazine in December Don Ahern said the company deserved more time to prepare its restructuring plan and that the company was now operating on a profitable footing.