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Perry Ellis signs definitive merger agreement
21 Jun '18
4 min read
Courtesy: Perry Ellis
Perry Ellis International has signed a definitive merger agreement under which a newly formed entity controlled by George Feldenkreis, Perry Ellis’ founder and member of the company’s board of directors, will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Perry Ellis not already beneficially owned by the Feldenkreis family for $27.50 per share in cash.
Additionally, the company and Feldenkreis have agreed to defer the next annual meeting for the election of directors while the merger agreement is pending.
The transaction, which is expected to close in the second half of calendar year 2018, is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and approvals, including approval by Perry Ellis shareholders (including a majority of the shares owned by shareholders other than the Feldenkreis family or any officers or directors of the company), receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
The purchase price represents a premium of approximately 21.6 per cent to Perry Ellis’ unaffected closing stock price on February 5, 2018, the last trading day prior to George Feldenkreis announcing his proposal to take the company private. The transaction is valued at approximately $437 million.
The transaction was unanimously approved by the Perry Ellis board of directors, acting on the unanimous recommendation of a special committee of independent directors that was granted full authority to conduct a comprehensive strategic review and evaluate and, if warranted, negotiate the Feldenkreis acquisition proposal.
“The special committee and its advisors conducted a disciplined and independent process to ensure the best outcome to maximise value for shareholders. We believe, upon the closing, that this transaction delivers an immediate cash premium and is in the best interest of all Perry Ellis shareholders,” said J David Scheiner, non-executive chairman of the Perry Ellis board of directors and chair of the special committee.
“I believe this transaction will open an exciting new chapter for Perry Ellis, our customers and employees. The markets the company competes in have undergone transformative changes and I believe that Perry Ellis’ ability to invest and innovate is limited by the short-term pressures of being a public company. The transaction delivers immediate value to shareholders amid an environment of unprecedented disruption and competition. I am confident that as a private company, Perry Ellis will be best positioned to make investments in digital innovation, artificial intelligence and marketing, that support our long term strategy to grow the company’s powerful global lifestyle brands, while expanding into higher-margin businesses and channels of distribution, including international, direct-to-consumer and licensing,” said George Feldenkreis, founder and director of Perry Ellis.
“Since its founding, Perry Ellis has been a renowned influencer of fashion and a magnet for highly creative individuals and brands. The completion of this transaction will enable Perry Ellis to preserve the integrity of its infrastructure and business units across the United States and abroad. Our partners should benefit from our enhanced ability to make long term investments in brands, technology and innovation while continuing to remain focused on executing on our long term growth strategy. Perry Ellis intends to be at the forefront of the crucial digital transformation of the apparel industry from marketing to e-commerce, to applications of artificial intelligence,” said Oscar Feldenkreis, chief executive officer of the company.
“Fortress is delighted to support the founding family of Perry Ellis in a transaction that positions the business for growth and success in the years to come,” said Josh Pack, managing partner of Fortress Investment Group.
Following completion of the transaction, Feldenkreis will continue to lead the company as chief executive officer. Feldenkreis, director and founder, will return to an active role in the management of the company. Perry Ellis will continue to be headquartered in Miami, Florida. Upon close, Perry Ellis will become a privately held company and Perry Ellis common shares will no longer be listed or traded on any public market. (SV)
Additionally, the company and Feldenkreis have agreed to defer the next annual meeting for the election of directors while the merger agreement is pending.
The transaction, which is expected to close in the second half of calendar year 2018, is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and approvals, including approval by Perry Ellis shareholders (including a majority of the shares owned by shareholders other than the Feldenkreis family or any officers or directors of the company), receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
The purchase price represents a premium of approximately 21.6 per cent to Perry Ellis’ unaffected closing stock price on February 5, 2018, the last trading day prior to George Feldenkreis announcing his proposal to take the company private. The transaction is valued at approximately $437 million.
The transaction was unanimously approved by the Perry Ellis board of directors, acting on the unanimous recommendation of a special committee of independent directors that was granted full authority to conduct a comprehensive strategic review and evaluate and, if warranted, negotiate the Feldenkreis acquisition proposal.
“The special committee and its advisors conducted a disciplined and independent process to ensure the best outcome to maximise value for shareholders. We believe, upon the closing, that this transaction delivers an immediate cash premium and is in the best interest of all Perry Ellis shareholders,” said J David Scheiner, non-executive chairman of the Perry Ellis board of directors and chair of the special committee.
“I believe this transaction will open an exciting new chapter for Perry Ellis, our customers and employees. The markets the company competes in have undergone transformative changes and I believe that Perry Ellis’ ability to invest and innovate is limited by the short-term pressures of being a public company. The transaction delivers immediate value to shareholders amid an environment of unprecedented disruption and competition. I am confident that as a private company, Perry Ellis will be best positioned to make investments in digital innovation, artificial intelligence and marketing, that support our long term strategy to grow the company’s powerful global lifestyle brands, while expanding into higher-margin businesses and channels of distribution, including international, direct-to-consumer and licensing,” said George Feldenkreis, founder and director of Perry Ellis.
“Since its founding, Perry Ellis has been a renowned influencer of fashion and a magnet for highly creative individuals and brands. The completion of this transaction will enable Perry Ellis to preserve the integrity of its infrastructure and business units across the United States and abroad. Our partners should benefit from our enhanced ability to make long term investments in brands, technology and innovation while continuing to remain focused on executing on our long term growth strategy. Perry Ellis intends to be at the forefront of the crucial digital transformation of the apparel industry from marketing to e-commerce, to applications of artificial intelligence,” said Oscar Feldenkreis, chief executive officer of the company.
“Fortress is delighted to support the founding family of Perry Ellis in a transaction that positions the business for growth and success in the years to come,” said Josh Pack, managing partner of Fortress Investment Group.
Following completion of the transaction, Feldenkreis will continue to lead the company as chief executive officer. Feldenkreis, director and founder, will return to an active role in the management of the company. Perry Ellis will continue to be headquartered in Miami, Florida. Upon close, Perry Ellis will become a privately held company and Perry Ellis common shares will no longer be listed or traded on any public market. (SV)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India
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