Sumitomo Corporation of America Announces Agreement to Acquire TBC Corporation
September 19 2005 - 8:39AM
PR Newswire (US)
NEW YORK and WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- Sumitomo Corporation of America (SCOA), together with its
parent, Sumitomo Corporation, Japan (TSE:8053), an integrated
global trading company, and TBC Corporation (NASDAQ:TBCC), one of
the leading marketers of automotive replacement tires in the U.S.,
today announced that SCOA has entered into a definitive agreement
to acquire TBC for $35.00 per share in cash, for a total
transaction value of approximately $1.1 billion including debt. The
transaction, which is subject to approval by the shareholders of
TBC Corp., as well as regulatory approval under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, is expected to close by the end of the year.
Upon completion of the transaction, TBC will become a subsidiary of
SCOA and will continue to be led by the existing senior management
team. "We are pleased that the TBC board of directors has approved
this transaction," said SCOA President and CEO, Susumu Kato. "This
is the single largest investment that SCOA has made and complements
our portfolio of operating companies. We look forward to working
with TBC's existing management team to continue the successful
implementation of their long-term business strategy." "We are
pleased to join the SCOA family of companies," said TBC Corporation
President and CEO, Larry Day. "Our shareholders will receive a
significant premium over current and historic trading levels, and
the Board is recommending shareholder approval of this transaction.
In addition, the continuity of management will provide excellent
opportunities for employees, franchisees and supply partners who
have enjoyed long-term relationships with the Company. As our Board
considered all the strategic and financial alternatives, it became
clear that this transaction was in the best interest of all TBC
stakeholders." Lehman Brothers Inc. acted as financial advisor to
TBC Corp. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Thompson Hine LLP
acted jointly as legal advisors to TBC. Tri-Artisan Partners LLC
acted as financial advisor to SCOA. Dewey Ballantine LLP acted as
legal advisor to SCOA. About the Proposed Transaction: TBC
Corporation intends to file a proxy statement and other relevant
documents related to the proposed merger with the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC"). TBC STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ
TBC'S PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS WHEN THEY BECOME
AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the documents
free of charge at the SEC's web site, http://www.sec.gov/, and TBC
stockholders and investors may obtain free copies of the documents
filed with the SEC by TBC (when they are available) from its
corporate website at http://www.tbccorp.com/ or by directing a
request by mail or telephone to TBC Corporation, 7111 Fairway
Drive, Suite 201, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418, Attention:
Investor Relations, Telephone: 561-227- 0955. TBC, its directors
and executive officers and other persons may, under the rules of
the SEC, be deemed to be "participants" in the solicitation of
proxies from stockholders of TBC in connection with the proposed
merger. Information regarding the interests of such "participants"
will be set forth in TBC's proxy statement regarding the proposed
merger when it becomes available. Information regarding certain of
these persons and their beneficial ownership of common stock of TBC
as of December 31, 2004 is also set forth in the proxy statement
for TBC's 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with
the SEC on May 2, 2005. About Sumitomo Corporation of America:
Established in 1952, and headquartered in New York City, SCOA
operates offices in 10 American cities. SCOA is the largest
wholly-owned subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sumitomo Corporation
(TSE:8053), one of the world's leading traders of goods and
services. As an integrated business enterprise, the firm has
emerged as a major organizer of multinational projects, an
expediter of ideas, an important international investor and
financier, and a powerful force for distribution of products and
global communications through a network of offices worldwide.
Homepage: http://www.sumitomocorp.com/ About TBC: TBC Corporation
is one of the nation's largest marketers of automotive replacement
tires through a multi-channel strategy. The Company's retail
operations include company-operated retail centers under the "Tire
Kingdom", "Merchant's Tire & Auto Centers" and "National Tire
& Battery" brands and franchised retail tire stores under the
"Big O Tires" brand. TBC markets on a wholesale basis to regional
tire chains and distributors serving independent tire dealers
throughout the United States and in Canada and Mexico. The
Company's proprietary brands of tires have a longstanding
reputation for quality, safety and value. TBC Corporation Safe
Harbor Statement This document contains "forward-looking
statements," as that term is defined under the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding expectations for future
financial performance, which involve uncertainty and risk. It is
possible that the Company's future financial performance may differ
from expectations due to a variety of factors including, but not
limited to: changes in economic and business conditions in the
world; increased competitive activity; consolidation within and
among competitors, suppliers and customers; unexpected changes in
the replacement tire market; the Company's inability to attract as
many new franchisees or open as many distribution outlets as stated
in its goals; changes in the Company's ability to identify and
acquire additional companies in the replacement tire industry and
successfully integrate acquisitions and achieve anticipated
synergies or savings; fluctuations in tire prices charged by
manufacturers, including fluctuations due to changes in raw
material and energy prices, changes in interest and foreign
exchange rates; the cyclical nature of the automotive industry and
the loss of a major customer or program. It is not possible to
foresee or identify all such factors. Any forward-looking
statements in this release are based on certain assumptions and
analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and
perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected
future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate
in the circumstances. Prospective investors are cautioned that any
such statements are not a guarantee of future performance and
actual results or developments may differ materially from those
projected. The Company makes no commitment to update any
forward-looking statement included herein, or to disclose any
facts, events or circumstances that may affect the accuracy of any
forward-looking statement. Additional information on factors that
could potentially affect the Company or its financial results may
be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. DATASOURCE: TBC Corporation CONTACT: Thomas W. Garvey,
Executive V.P. & Chief Financial Officer, TBC Corporation,
+1-561-227-0955; Denise Lenci, Sumitomo Corporation of America,
+1-516-241-6021; Investors - Betsy Brod or Jonathan Schaffer, Brod
& Schaffer, LLC, +1-212-750-5800 Web site:
http://www.tbccorp.com/ http://www.sumitomocorp.com/
Copyright
Tbc (NASDAQ:TBCC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Tbc (NASDAQ:TBCC)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024