Apex Global Brands Inc. (“Apex” or “the Company”) (OTC: APEX), a
global brand management and licensing organization that markets a
portfolio of high-quality lifestyle brands it owns, creates, and
elevates, today entered into a merger agreement with Galaxy
Universal LLC. The closing of the acquisition is expected to occur
in the second quarter of 2021.
“After conducting an extensive analysis of our
strategic alternatives with our financial advisor, the Board of
Directors concluded that our sale to Galaxy Universal LLC is the
best path to deliver equity to our shareholders,” said Henry Stupp,
Chief Executive Officer of Apex Global Brands. “We believe that the
sale process will be seamless for our licensees and that there will
be no disruption to our operations.”
Under the terms of the agreement, which has been
unanimously approved by the members of the Apex Board of Directors,
Galaxy Universal LLC will acquire all of the outstanding shares of
Apex for $2.00 per share in cash.
A special meeting of Apex Global Brands Inc.
stockholders will be held as soon as practicable following the
filing of a definitive proxy statement with the U.S Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and subsequent mailing to stockholders.
The Company’s officers, directors and certain stockholders
collectively holding approximately 30% of the outstanding shares of
Apex have entered into voting agreements committing them to, among
other things, vote in favor of adopting the merger agreement. The
proposed transaction is subject to the approval by Apex
stockholders, along with the satisfaction of other customary
closing conditions. Upon completion of the merger, Apex will become
wholly owned by Galaxy Universal LLC.
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo,
P.C. is serving as legal advisor and Houlihan Lokey is serving as
financial advisor to Apex Global Brands Inc., while Willkie Farr
& Gallagher LLP is serving as legal advisor to Galaxy Universal
LLC.
Forbearance Extension
In conjunction with the merger agreement, Apex
entered into a Seventh Amendment to its Financing Agreement and
Forbearance Agreement with its senior secured lenders. This
amendment extends the senior secured lender’s forbearance through
the earlier of June 30, 2021 or the termination or closure of the
merger.
Apex Global Brands Inc. Stockholder
Vote
Apex intends to hold a special meeting of its
stockholders to consider and vote on a proposal to adopt the merger
agreement. Apex’s stockholders of record will be entitled to
receive notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting and any
adjournments or postponements thereof.
For further information regarding the terms and
conditions contained in the definitive merger agreement, please see
Apex Global Brands Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, which will be
filed on or about February 17, 2021 in connection with this
transaction.
About Apex Global Brands
Apex Global Brands is a global brand management
and licensing organization that markets a portfolio of high-equity
lifestyle brands it owns creates and elevates. The brand portfolio
spans multiple consumer product categories and retail tiers around
the world and includes Hi-Tec®, Magnum®, 50 Peaks®, Interceptor®,
Cherokee®, Tony Hawk®, Point Cove®, Carole Little®, Everyday
California® and Sideout®. The Company currently maintains license
agreements with leading retailers and manufacturers that span
approximately 140 countries in over 20,000 retail locations and
digital commerce. For more information, please visit the Company's
website at apexglobalbrands.com.
About Galaxy Universal LLC
Galaxy Universal LLC is a wholesaling,
sourcing and brand management company. The company focuses on the
athletic, work and outdoor categories. Galaxy provides high-quality
well-designed products to retailers worldwide.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking
statements regarding future events and the future performance of
Apex Global Brands. Forward-looking statements in this press
release include, without limitation, express or implied statements
regarding: (i) the risk that the proposed transaction may not
be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely
affect the Company's business and the trading price of the
Company's common stock; (ii) the failure to satisfy any of the
conditions to the consummation of the proposed transaction,
including the authorization of the merger agreement by the
Company's stockholders; (iii) the occurrence of any event,
change or other circumstance or condition that could give rise to
the termination of the merger agreement; (iv) the effect of
the announcement or pendency of the proposed transaction on the
Company's business relationships, operating results and business
generally; (v) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts
current plans and operations and the potential difficulties in
employee retention as a result of the proposed transaction;
(vi) risks related to diverting management's attention from
the Company's ongoing business operations; (vii) the outcome
of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company
related to the merger agreement or the proposed transaction,
(viii) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from
the proposed transaction; and (ix) uncertainties as to Galaxy
Universal LLC’s ability to obtain financing in order to consummate
the merger. A more detailed discussion of such risks and
uncertainties are described in the Company’s annual report on Form
10-K filed on April 30, 2020, its periodic reports on Forms 10-Q
and 8-K, and subsequent filings with the SEC the Company makes from
time to time. Except as required by law, the Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether because of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Additional Information and Where to Find
It
In connection with the proposed transaction, the
Company will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") and furnish to the Company's shareholders a proxy statement.
BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS ARE
URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY WHEN IT BECOMES
AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN
CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED MERGER OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN
THE PROXY STATEMENT (IF ANY) BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND THE PARTIES TO THE
PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and shareholders may obtain a free
copy of documents filed by the Company with the SEC at the SEC's
website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and
shareholders may obtain a free copy of the Company's filings with
the SEC from the Company's website at www.apexglobalbrands.com
or by directing a written request to: Apex Global Brands, Inc.,
Attn: Secretary, 5990 Sepulveda Blvd, Suite 600, Sherman Oaks, CA
91411.
Participants in the
SolicitationThe Company and certain of its directors,
executive officers, and certain other members of management and
employees of the Company may be deemed to be participants in the
solicitation of proxies from stockholders of the Company in favor
of the proposed merger. Information about directors and executive
officers of the Company is set forth in the Apex Global Brands Inc.
10-K, as filed with the SEC on April 30, 2020. Additional
information regarding the interests of these individuals and other
persons who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation
will be included in the proxy statement with respect to the merger
that the Company will file with the SEC and furnish to the
Company's stockholders.
Contacts:
Apex Global Brands Inc.Steve Brink, CFO818-908-9868 |
Addo Investor RelationsKimberly Esterkin/Patricia
Nir310-829-5400 |
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