News

Vista Outdoor Inc has agreed to sell its Bollé, Cébé and Serengeti brands to an unidentified European private equity fund. The proceeds are expected to be about $158 million. Robert W. Baird & Co. served as transaction and financial adviser to Vista Outdoor on the deal while Reed Smith LLP served as legal adviser. Based in Farmington, Utah, Vista Outdoor is a maker of consumer products in the outdoor sports and recreation markets.

PRESS RELEASE

FARMINGTON, Utah, July 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Vista Outdoor Inc. (“Vista Outdoor”) (NYSE: VSTO) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell the legal entities operating its Bollé, Cébé and Serengeti brands (the “Eyewear Brands”) to an entity controlled by a significant European private equity fund.

The sale is part of Vista Outdoor’s previously announced strategic business transformation plan, designed to allow the company to focus resources on pursuing growth in its core product categories of ammunition, hunting and shooting accessories, hydration bottles and packs, and outdoor cooking products.

“We are pleased to have successfully reached an agreement to sell our eyewear and safety business at an attractive price,” said Chris Metz, Chief Executive Officer of Vista Outdoor. “The business will have the opportunity to reach its full potential under new ownership. This divestiture is the first step in our transformation plan and will be the first of several potential asset sales that will significantly reduce Vista Outdoor’s leverage and provide additional resources to for us to reinvest in our core businesses.”

Gross proceeds from the divestiture are expected to be approximately $158 million, subject to customary working capital and transaction adjustments. The purchase price represents a premium to the EBITDA multiple paid for Bollé, Cébé and Serengeti as part of the Bushnell acquisition in 2013. Vista Outdoor expects to use the net after-tax proceeds of the sale to repay outstanding indebtedness. The transaction is expected to close within approximately 30 to 45 days, subject to customary closing conditions.

“We are now turning our efforts to the rest of our divestiture plan as previously communicated in May,” said Metz. “We are excited to build on this momentum and expect to provide further updates on this process during our first quarter earnings call in early August.”

Robert W. Baird & Co. served as transaction and financial advisor and Reed Smith LLP served as legal advisor to Vista Outdoor in connection with the transaction.

About Vista Outdoor Inc.
Vista Outdoor is a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer of consumer products in the growing outdoor sports and recreation markets. The company operates in two segments, Outdoor Products and Shooting Sports, and has a portfolio of well-recognized brands that provides consumers with a wide range of performance-driven, high-quality and innovative products for individual outdoor recreational pursuits. Vista Outdoor products are sold at leading retailers and distributors across North America and worldwide. Vista Outdoor is headquartered in Farmington, Utah and has manufacturing operations and facilities in 13 U.S. States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico along with international sales and sourcing operations in Asia, Australia, Canada, and Europe. For news and information visit www.vistaoutdoor.com or follow us on Twitter @VistaOutdoorInc and Facebook at www.facebook.com/vistaoutdoor.