Ampal-American Israel Corporation

Ampal-American Israel Corporation was a New York unit of Israel's Bank Hapoalim. It was a holding company that primarily acquired interests in Israel-related businesses.[1]

Ampal-American Israel Corporation
Company typePublic (OTCQBAMPLQ)
IndustryInvestment
Founded1942 as Ampal-American Palestine Trading Corporation
Defunct2013
FateChapter 7 bankruptcy
Headquarters
Key people
Yossi Maiman
RevenueIncrease US$ 496.93 million (2010)
Decrease US$ -78.32 million (2010)
Decrease US$ -44.74 million (2010)
OwnerYossi Maiman
Number of employees
25
Websitewww.ampal.com

History edit

In 1942, members of the Labor Zionist movement founded AMPAL to guarantee loans for financial projects in the Jewish Yishuv. From 1945, the corporation financed the development of basic industries, utilities and housing.[2]

In 1998, Ampal acquired a one-third interest in Motorola Solutions Israel Ltd., a wireless-communications business in Israel, for $110 million, as a springboard for other investments in the telecommunications and high-tech sector.[3]

In 2002, businessman Yossi Maiman acquired Ampal from Beny Steinmetz for US $174 million in 2002.[4] He served as its chairman from 2002 to 2013, and as its president and chief executive officer from 2006 to 2013.[5] The company's main holding is a 12% stake in the East Mediterranean Gas Company (EMG), a joint venture company set up to handle the export of natural gas from Egypt to Israel.

Following four attacks on the gas pipeline that connects to the company's Arish–Ashkelon pipeline, supply has been interrupted and as of September 2011 has not resumed. As a result, the company's debentures have been downgraded by Moody's to BA3.[6]

In 2013, a New York Court ordered that Ampal be liquidated under Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings.[7]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Ampal-American Israel Corporation" Sunday, January 30, 2011 - The New York Times - Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  2. ^ The Rise of Israel: A History of a Revolutionary State, Jonathan R. Adelman
  3. ^ "Ampal-American Israel Corporation" Sunday, January 30, 2011 - The New York Times - Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  4. ^ Levy, Aviv; Steinblatt, Ron (February 21, 2013). "Yosef Maiman set to leave Ampal". Globes. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  5. ^ "Company Overview of Merhav MNF Ltd.: Yosef A. Maiman". Bloomberg. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  6. ^ Ampal-American Israel Corporation Debentures Downgraded to BA3 With a Negative Outlook[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ Levy, Aviv (2 March 2017). "Arbitrator rules Egypt must compensate EMG". Globes - Israeli business daily. Retrieved 28 August 2018.