Dorel postpones Special Meeting for approval of $486M privatization transaction by Cerberus

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By CPE News

CPE News (12/24/2020) – Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) is postponing to February 16, 2021 the Special Meeting of Dorel shareholders called to vote on a plan of arrangement in which a buyer group led by an affiliate of funds managed by Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. will acquire all of Dorel’s issued and outstanding shares, other than shares owned by Martin Schwartz, Alan Schwartz, Jeffrey Schwartz, Jeff Segel and certain members of their respective immediate families, at a price of C$14.50 in cash per share.

The arrangement transaction values Dorel at approximately CDN $486 million or $390 million to minority shareholders.

Dorel has previously set the date for the Special Meeting for January 7, 2021.

As at November 20, 2020, there were 4,188,175 Class A Multiple Voting Shares (95.5% controlled by Martin Schwartz, Alan Schwartz, Jeffrey Schwartz, Jeff Segel) and 28,316,946 Class B Subordinate Voting Shares issued and outstanding.

Dorel’s notable institutional investors include Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC (5,045,454 Class B Subordinate Voting Shares, 17.82%), Letko, Brosseau & Associates Inc. (4,214,436 Class B Subordinate Voting Shares, 14.88%), and Foyston, Gordon & Payne Inc. (2,557,527 Subordinate Voting Class B Shares).

Following the announcement, Letko, Brosseau & Associates announced on November 2nd and reaffirmed on December 9th and 23rd of its intention to vote against the arrangement.

The arrangement must be approved by at least i) two-thirds (66⅔%) of the votes of the shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and ii) a majority (50% + 1) of the votes cast by the holders of Class B Subordinate Voting Shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote, other than the Family shareholders.

Dorel said the Board is postponing the Special Meeting in order to give Dorel shareholders additional time to consider the terms and conditions of the arrangement and for Dorel to engage with its shareholders. “The Board believes that the additional time will also allow Dorel shareholders to consider the effects of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on Dorel’s operations and financial results.”

photo credit: Dorel Industries

News Release

Dorel Postpones Special Meeting of Shareholders to February 16, 2021

MONTREAL, Dec. 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) (“Dorel”) announces that its Board of Directors, acting on the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee comprised of Dorel’s six independent directors, is postponing to February 16, 2021 the special meeting (the “Special Meeting”) of Dorel shareholders called to vote on a plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”) in which a buyer group led by an affiliate (the “Purchaser”) of funds managed by Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. will acquire all of Dorel’s issued and outstanding shares, other than shares owned by Martin Schwartz, Alan Schwartz, Jeffrey Schwartz, Jeff Segel and certain members of their respective immediate families, at a price of C$14.50 in cash per share. The Board of Directors has set January 7, 2021 as the new record date for shareholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting, which was originally scheduled for January 12, 2021. Dorel will prepare an amended management information circular and related proxy materials for distribution to shareholders in January 2021.

The Board is postponing the Special Meeting in order to give Dorel shareholders additional time to consider the terms and conditions of the Arrangement and for Dorel to engage with its shareholders. The Board believes that the additional time will also allow Dorel shareholders to consider the effects of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on Dorel’s operations and financial results.

As the Special Meeting was called pursuant to an Interim Order of the Superior Court of Québec (the “Court”) issued on December 3, 2020, the new Special Meeting date and record date are subject to approval by the Court. Dorel intends to apply to the Court for an amended Interim Order in early January.

Advisors
Kingsdale Advisors is acting as strategic shareholder and communications advisor to Dorel.

About Dorel Industries Inc.
Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) is a global organization, operating three distinct businesses in juvenile products, bicycles and home products. Dorel’s strength lies in the diversity, innovation and quality of its products as well as the superiority of its brands. Dorel Juvenile’s powerfully branded products include global brands Maxi-Cosi, Quinny and Tiny Love, complemented by regional brands such as Safety 1st, Bébé Confort, Cosco and Infanti. Dorel Sports brands include Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose, Caloi and IronHorse. Dorel Home, with its comprehensive e-commerce platform, markets a wide assortment of domestically produced and imported furniture. Dorel has annual sales of US $2.6 billion and employs approximately 8,000 people in facilities located in 25 countries worldwide.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements and information regarding the completion of the Arrangement. Except as may be required by Canadian securities laws, Dorel does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements, by their very nature, are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties and are based on several assumptions which give rise to the possibility that actual results could differ materially from Dorel’s expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. As a result, Dorel cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statements will materialize, or if any of them do, what benefits Dorel will derive from them.

Although Dorel believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, that the Arrangement will be completed or that it will be completed on the terms and conditions contemplated in this press release. Accordingly, investors and others are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties inherent in the nature of the Arrangement include, without limitation, the failure of the parties to obtain the necessary shareholder, regulatory and court approvals or to otherwise satisfy the conditions for the completion of the Arrangement; failure of the parties to obtain such approvals or satisfy such conditions in a timely manner; significant transaction costs or unknown liabilities; the ability of the Board of Directors to consider and approve, subject to compliance by Dorel with its obligations under the Arrangement Agreement dated November 12, 2020 with the Purchaser, a superior proposal for Dorel; the failure to realize the expected benefits of the Arrangement; and general economic conditions. Failure to obtain the necessary shareholder, regulatory and court approvals, or the failure of the parties to otherwise satisfy the conditions for the completion of the Arrangement or to complete the Arrangement, may result in the Arrangement not being completed on the proposed terms or at all. In addition, if the Arrangement is not completed, and Dorel continues as an independent entity, there are risks that the announcement of the proposed Arrangement and the dedication of substantial resources by Dorel to the completion of the Arrangement could have an impact on its business and strategic relationships, including with future and prospective employees, customers, suppliers and partners, operating results and activities in general, and could have a material adverse effect on its current and future operations, financial condition and prospects. Furthermore, the failure by Dorel to comply with the terms of the Arrangement Agreement entered into with the Purchaser may, in certain circumstances, result in it being required to pay a fee to the buyer group, the result of which could have a material adverse effect on its financial position and results of operations and its ability to fund growth prospects and current operations. Consequently, Dorel cautions readers not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release.

No Offer or Solicitation

This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell Dorel shares.

CONTACTS:

Dorel Media
Ian Robertson
President, Canada
Kingsdale Advisors
Direct: 416-867-2333
Cell: 647-621-2646
irobertson@kingsdaleadvisors.com

Hyunjoo Kim
Director of Communications
Marketing & Digital Strategy
Kingsdale Advisors
Direct: 416-867-2357
Cell: 416-899-6463
hkim@kingsdaleadvisors.com