PERRY ELLIS TO URGE SHAREHOLDERS TO VOTE FOR FELDENKREIS DEAL
The Special Committee of the Perry Ellis International’s Board of Directors, which is composed of the independent directors, has reaffirmed its intention to recommend that all Perry Ellis shareholders vote for the Feldenkreis transaction.
As previously announced on June 16, Perry Ellis’ Board of Directors, acting on the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee of independent directors and with the support of independent financial and legal advisors, unanimously approved a $437 million transaction to become a private company through an acquisition led by George Feldenkreis.
Under the terms of the Feldenkreis merger agreement, Perry Ellis shareholders will receive $27.50 per share in cash upon closing. The purchase price represents a premium of approximately 21.6 percent to Perry Ellis’ unaffected closing stock price on February 5, the last trading day prior to George Feldenkreis announcing his proposal to take the company private.
The Special Committee noted that Randa’s July 1 proposal to acquire 100 percent of the fully diluted common stock of Perry Ellis for $28.00 per share in cash was not solicited and is substantially similar to a non-binding $27.75 per share proposal made by Randa during the Special Committee’s strategic review process. The Special Committee unanimously determined, after consultation with its legal and financial advisors, that the Randa proposal does not satisfy the requirements in the Feldenkreis merger agreement for granting due diligence access or commencing negotiations with respect to a competing takeover proposal.
Based on the totality of the circumstances considered in comparison to the potential for a slight price improvement, the Special Committee concluded that re-engaging with Randa at the price offered was not in the best interest of shareholders.
As previously announced, the Feldenkreis transaction 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.
