MADISON, Wis., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rayovac Corporation
(NYSE: ROV) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to purchase
Microlite S.A., a Brazilian battery company, for approximately $28 million in
cash plus future payments based on Microlite's performance through June 30,
2005. Microlite, headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil, is currently owned by
VARTA AG of Germany and Tabriza Brasil Empreendimentos Ltda. of Brazil.
Under the agreement, Rayovac will purchase all the outstanding stock of
Microlite, which owns the Rayovac brand name in Brazil. Rayovac is the
market-leading brand in Brazil, with a 49 percent value share of the alkaline
and zinc carbon market as measured by AC Nielsen Brazil. Brazil is the
largest market in Latin America, representing approximately 30 percent of the
region's volume.
Microlite manufactures and sells both alkaline and zinc carbon batteries
as well as battery-operated lighting products, and it reported sales of
approximately $53 million in 2003. Microlite operates two battery
manufacturing facilities in Recife, Brazil and has several strategically
located sales and distribution centers throughout Brazil. The all-cash
transaction, subject to various closing conditions, is expected to close
within the next 60-90 days. Rayovac intends to use its cash flow from
operations and its existing senior credit facility to fund the transaction.
"The acquisition of Microlite achieves several key strategic objectives
for our company and is the final step in reacquiring the worldwide rights to
the Rayovac brand name," said David Jones, Rayovac chairman and CEO. "This
acquisition will give us a significant presence in Brazil, the largest battery
market in Latin America, and will further strengthen our position as the
number one selling battery brand throughout the region."
Rayovac estimates the acquisition will have minimal impact on earnings in
fiscal year 2004 and be accretive thereafter.
Microlite has operated as an independent company since 1982 when then
owner Inco Limited divided up the worldwide operations of Rayovac and sold
them to three separate purchasers: Rayovac Corp., ROV Ltd. and Microlite. In
1999, Rayovac acquired ROV Ltd., a Latin American battery company that held
the rights to the Rayovac name in Latin America (except Brazil) and certain
countries in the Middle East and Africa. The acquisition of Microlite will
consolidate Rayovac's rights to the Rayovac brand around the world, giving
Rayovac an even stronger market presence in Latin America.
Rayovac Corporation is a global consumer products company with a diverse
portfolio of world-class brands, including Rayovac, VARTA and Remington. The
Company holds many leading market positions including: the world's leader in
hearing aid batteries; the top selling rechargeable battery brand in North
America and Europe; and the number one selling brand of men's and women's foil
electric razors in North America. Rayovac markets its products in more than
100 countries and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the "ROV"
symbol.
Certain matters discussed in this news release, with the exception of
historical matters, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject
to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results
to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this release.
Actual results may differ materially from these statements as a result of (1)
changes in external competitive market factors, such as introduction of new
product features or technological developments, development of new competitors
or competitive brands or competitive promotional activity or spending, (2)
changes in consumer demand for the various types of products offered by
Rayovac, (3) changes in the general economic conditions where we do business,
such as stock market prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates,
inflation and raw material costs, (4) our ability to successfully implement
manufacturing, distribution and other cost efficiencies and (5) various other
factors, including those discussed herein and those set forth in Rayovac's
most recently filed Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K.
SOURCE Rayovac Corporation
