Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Battenfeld Technologies, Inc., an industry-leading provider of hunting and shooting accessories. The acquisition, which is expected to be accretive to Smith & Wesson gross margins, earnings per share, and cash generated in fiscal 2016, is expected to close in mid- to late December.
The agreement provides for Smith & Wesson to acquire Battenfeld Technologies for $130.5 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. Based in a 145,000-square-foot facility in Columbia, MO, Battenfeld Technologies develops and sells shooting, reloading, gunsmithing, and gun cleaning supplies under several popular, premium brands, including Caldwell Shooting Supplies, Wheeler Engineering, Tipton Gun Cleaning Supplies, and Lockdown Vault Accessories.
Battenfeld Technologies maintains a product development team that has an established track record of launching high-quality, innovative products across its brand portfolio. As a result, its products maintain a prominent position with several independent retailers as well as large sporting goods retailers, including Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Gander Mountain. Battenfeld products are also available at Internet retailers, including amazon.com and MidwayUSA.
Battenfeld Technologies was founded 22 years ago and since 2006 has generated a largely organic compound annual revenue growth rate in excess of 18 percent, fueled by sales of newly developed products. In addition to this strong organic growth, the company has also expanded by successfully acquiring small, specialty, hunting-related accessories companies, such as Bog-Pod and GoldenRod.
"Battenfeld Technologies provides us with a unique opportunity to acquire a thriving company that fits perfectly within our core firearm business," said James Debney, Smith & Wesson President and CEO. "It also allows us to move more strongly into the hunting vertical as well as establish a strong platform for growth in our existing firearm accessories business, which has been a small but highly profitable part of our company. Most of the growth of Battenfeld Technologies has occurred organically, which is a testament to the robust product development capability that Jim Gianladis, the Chief Executive Officer of Battenfeld Technologies, and his team have established. That capability, combined with Battenfeld Technologies' sophisticated sourcing and distribution infrastructure, should provide a solid framework for organic and inorganic growth as the new accessories division of Smith & Wesson. Our intention is that eventually all existing Smith & Wesson, M&P, and Thompson/Center Arms accessories will be housed within this new division. As we continue to expand further into the hunting category, we expect that our accessories businesses will benefit from Battenfeld Technologies' sourcing and distribution efficiencies and established expertise in new product development."
Jim Gianladis, who joined Battenfeld in 2007, will serve as the President of Battenfeld Technologies and will report directly to Debney. The Battenfeld Technologies management team and workforce, as well as its base of operations, will continue in Columbia, Missouri. Gianladis said, "We are very excited to join the team at Smith & Wesson. At Battenfeld Technologies, we have built a robust hunting and accessories business based upon our premium product quality and innovation. We believe that makes us a perfect fit for Smith & Wesson, a legendary company with an iconic brand, world-class products, and broad markets that span consumer, law enforcement, and international channels. Together, we have the opportunity to further expand our business and achieve a new level of success."
The purchase price for Battenfeld Technologies will be paid using existing cash balances and cash from a $100 million draw on Smith & Wesson's existing line of credit, which has been expanded to $125 million as a result of the company's partial exercise of the accordion feature on that line of credit. Battenfeld Technologies is being acquired from Clearview Capital, a private equity firm based in Connecticut.
Due to its anticipated timing, the transaction is expected to have nominal impact on Smith & Wesson's operational and financial results for the fiscal 2015 third quarter ending January 31, 2015. Without considering any revenue synergies, Smith & Wesson estimates that the acquisition will provide incremental revenue in its 2016 fiscal year in excess of $55 million and EBITDA margins on the incremental revenue in excess of 27%. The acquisition is also expected to be accretive to Smith & Wesson gross margins, earnings per share, and cash generated in fiscal 2016. Smith & Wesson will provide additional details and an update on the progress of the transaction during its fiscal second quarter earnings conference call, scheduled for December 4, 2014. Details of the conference call follow.
Cowen and Company, LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Greenberg Traurig, LLP is acting as legal advisor to Smith & Wesson and its Board of Directors. Robert W. Baird & Co. is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Loeb and Loeb, LLP is acting as legal advisor to Battenfeld Technologies, Inc. and its owner.
