By Mike Boyer
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The bankruptcy of Mutual Manufacturing & Supply Co. in Camp Washington and its Michigan-based parent has been converted from a reorganization to a liquidation case.

Grand Rapids Bankruptcy Judge Jo Ann Stevenson approved an emergency order earlier this week after denying additional cash to fund continued operation of the businesses.

The company shut down Sept. 4 and has been unable to work out an agreement between its lenders and unsecured creditors on continued financing, prompting the decision to seek liquidation.

Steven Rayman, attorney for newly appointed trustee Thomas Bruinsma, said, "We're exploring the sale of the company or a general auction'' of the assets.

He said there were no are definitive offers for Mutual or its parent, US Flow Corp.

In the meantime, Stevenson has approved a limited reopening of the company to preserve the value of the business.

Rayman said attorneys expect to work through the weekend in an attempt to reopen the businesses as soon as next week.

It was unclear Friday what that means for about 100 employees of Mutual, one of several regional industrial supply companies acquired by US Flow in 1999.

US Flow and its subsidiaries sought bankrutpcy court protection from creditors Aug. 12. The company, which reported revenues over the last 12 months of $265 million, listed assets of $69 million and debts of $123 million.

John Robinson and Drew Barton, former owners of Mutual, were negotiating to reacquire the business, according to court records. But that effort has apparently stalled as a result of objections by creditors and the U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee's Office.

E-mail mboyer@enquirer.com