|
NexCen Brands to Acquire Waverly
Home fashion staple
becomes second acquisition in consumer branded products
vertical and 5th brand acquisition for Company
NEW YORK, March 13
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NexCen Brands, Inc. ("NexCen" or the
"Company") (NASDAQ:NEXC)
is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive
agreement to acquire the Waverly brand ("Waverly") from F.
Schumacher & Co. The Waverly brand is a premier lifestyle
authority for ensuring harmonious and tasteful decorating, a
mission that it has fulfilled for three-quarters of a century.
Robert W. D'Loren, NexCen's
President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Waverly
provides us with a leading presence in the home design
sector." He noted further, "Waverly has an outstanding team of
home products designers and licensing professionals that can
excel in our operating structure by supporting and growing the
Waverly brand. NexCen can build upon their expertise and the
current Waverly licensee base to more fully develop our Bill
Blass home business and future brands that we intend to
acquire."
"As the only authentic home
brand rooted in home decorating, Waverly has earned both its
legacy and its devoted following," said Gerald W. Puschel, F.
Schumacher & Co.'s Chief Executive Officer. "NexCen deeply
respects the brand and its storied history, and is committed
to safeguarding and managing the brand into the future as we
approach Waverly's 85th year. We are proud that Waverly will
continue its trajectory with a company so befitting of the
brand."
NexCen will pay $36.75
million in cash and issue 50,000 warrants priced at closing to
acquire the Waverly brand and cancel an existing right of
first refusal. NexCen expects to hire certain design,
marketing and licensing personnel to continue the business of
Waverly.
NexCen estimates that the
Waverly brand will generate approximately $9 million of
royalty revenue and approximately $.07 per share of
incremental EPS in the first 12 months following the
acquisition. Assuming the acquisition is completed by the end
of April 2007, NexCen estimates the Waverly brand will
contribute approximately $.04 per share of incremental EPS in
the 2007 fiscal year.
Conference Call
The Company will host a
conference call to discuss this acquisition on March 14, 2007
at 8:00 a.m. EDT. Interested parties may access the call by
telephone at (866) 550-6338. Please ask for confirmation code
6564706. Replay of this call will be available until April 13,
2007, by calling (888) 203- 1112, access code 6564706.
NexCen Brands was represented
by UCC Capital Corporation.
About the Companies
NexCen Brands, Inc. is the
premier 21st century brand acquisition and management company
focused on assembling a diversified portfolio of intellectual
property (IP) centric companies operating in the consumer
branded products and franchise industries.
Waverly is a premier
lifestyle brand and one of the most recognized names in home
furnishings. Its signature look is expertly translated into
countless classic styles among licensed home furnishings
products, including fabrics, wallpapers, paint, bedding,
window treatments, decorative accessories and other key
products. Launched in 1923 by F. Schumacher & Co., the
118-year-old home furnishings concern, Waverly is available
through retailers and interior design showrooms nationwide.
Forward-Looking Statement
Disclosure
This press release contains
"forward-looking statements," as such term is used in the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such
forward-looking statements include those regarding
expectations for the development of our IP business,
expectations for the performance of Waverly and NexCen's
ability to complete the acquisition of Waverly. When used
herein, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate,"
"intend," "may," "will," "expect" and similar expressions
often indicate that a statement is a "forward-looking
statement." Forward-looking statements are based on current
expectations and assumptions, which are subject to risks,
uncertainties and other factors. They are not guarantees of
future performance or results. The Company's actual results,
performance or achievements could differ materially from the
results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking
statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such
differences include: (1) we may not be successful in
implementing our IP business, (2) we may not complete the
acquisition of Waverly on the negotiated terms or at all, (3)
we may not be successful in operating or expanding Waverly or
integrating it into our IP business, (4) risks associated with
marketing and licensing our acquired trademarks and with
successfully developing, marketing and licensing new products
particularly in light of rapidly changing fashion and market
trends, (5) risks associated with the ability of licensees to
successfully market and sell branded products and (6) other
factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. NexCen undertakes no obligation to update
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise.
For more information on these
transactions, or about NexCen Brands please visit our website
at www.nexcenbrands.com
.
Source: NexCen Brands, Inc.
CONTACT: Media: Marjorie
Klein of MKlein Communications,
+1-203-938-2553,
mklein6@optonline.net; or Investors: David B. Meister of
NexCen Brands, Inc., +1-212-277-1119,
investor_relations@nexcenbrands.com
Web site:
http://www.nexcenbrands.com/
|