Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK), the world’s largest ammunition maker, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bushnell Group Holdings, Inc., the maker of of branded sports optics, outdoor accessories and performance eyewear.
Bushnell has a track record of product development and innovation, and provides a complementary portfolio of 19 outdoor brands including the iconic Bushnell brand and other authentic, heritage names such as Primos, Bollé, Hoppe's, Uncle Mike's, Butler Creek and Serengeti that are sold in more than 90 countries worldwide. Its products include laser rangefinders, trail cameras, riflescopes, binoculars, hunting and shooting sports accessories, and sun, winter and safety eyewear.
According to a statement from ATK, the Bushnell acquisition will expand ATK's product offerings into key growth areas. The completed acquisition would result in a comprehensive product offering in commercial and security ammunition, sporting arms and accessories. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. ATK anticipates closing the transaction in the third or fourth quarter of its Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14).
Under the terms of the transaction, ATK will pay $985 million in cash, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. This represents a projected calendar 2013 EBITDA multiple of approximately 10 times. Bushnell's projected sales for calendar 2013 are approximately $600 million. ATK expects the acquisition to result in FY14 earnings per share (EPS) dilution due to the stub period, transaction expenses and purchase accounting. ATK expects the acquisition to be accretive to EPS in its first full year of operations (FY15), including impacts associated with transition expenses, and estimates FY16 EPS accretion of approximately $1.00. As part of this transaction, ATK has secured a $900 million senior secured acquisition financing commitment. ATK will finance the acquisition through a combination of this new financing, borrowings under its existing revolving credit facility, and cash on hand.
“The Bushnell acquisition is consistent with ATK's focus on establishing leadership positions in our core markets,” said Mark DeYoung, ATK President and CEO. “This acquisition will broaden our existing capabilities in the commercial shooting sports and expand our portfolio of branded shooting sports products. In addition, this transaction will allow the company to effectively enter new sporting markets in golf, snow skiing and camping. ATK will leverage Bushnell's strong sourcing, marketing, branding and distribution capabilities and capitalize on Bushnell's track record of successfully integrating acquisitions and delivering profitable growth.”
Bushnell has a track record of product development and innovation, with more than 10,000 customer accounts in more than 90 countries worldwide. The company provides a complementary portfolio of 19 outdoor brands in sports optics, outdoor accessories and performance eyewear, including the iconic Bushnell brand and other authentic, heritage names such as Primos, Bollé, Hoppe's, Uncle Mike's, Butler Creek and Serengeti. Founded in 1948, Bushnell is headquartered in Overland Park, Kan. and employs approximately 1,100 skilled workers around the globe.
“Bushnell is a leading provider of outdoor consumer-branded products,” said Blake Lipham, Bushnell Outdoor Products President and CEO. “I am very proud of what the Bushnell team has accomplished. We are passionate about our brands, products and the outdoor enthusiasts we serve. The opportunity to join the ATK family will allow us to further support the emerging needs of our customers and consumers.”
ATK will integrate Bushnell into its Sporting Group within its existing accessories business. ATK's Sporting Group is the established leader in sporting and law enforcement ammunition and shooting accessories. ATK's ammunition brands include Federal Premium, CCI, Fusion, Speer, Estate Cartridge and Blazer. ATK's accessories brands include BLACKHAWK!, Alliant Powder, RCBS, Champion targets and shooting equipment, Gunslick Pro and Outers gun-care products, and Weaver optics and mounting systems. In June 2013, ATK acquired Savage Sports Corporation, adding centerfire and rimfire rifles, shotguns and shooting range systems used for hunting, competitive and recreational shooting to its product offering.
Bushnell is a portfolio company of MidOcean Partners, a premier middle-market, private equity firm headquartered in New York.
In a separate statement from MidOcean Partners, Blake Lipham, Bushnell Outdoor Products' president and CEO, said, “I am very proud of what MidOcean and the Bushnell team have accomplished during our partnership. We have completed nine acquisitions and successfully launched a wide variety of new products and category extensions during our partnership, which have expanded our brands and enabled us to provide a broader range of exceptional products to the sports enthusiast customers we serve.”
“MidOcean targets investments in companies that, like Bushnell, are leaders in their space where we see multiple opportunities for growth,” said Ted Virtue, MidOcean's CEO. “We bring significant strategic and operating resources to our portfolio companies to support our management teams. MidOcean was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to partner with Blake and his team as we applied MidOcean's growth methodology to the Bushnell platform.”
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. are acting as financial advisors to Bushnell, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as its legal advisor.
ATK is an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company with approximately 14,000 employees and operations in 21 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally. ATK is headquartered in Arlington, Va. ATK's Sporting Group is headquartered in Anoka, MI.
