MAIN NEWS HEADLINES
June 27 – July 03, 2011 Edition Borders Enters Purchase Bid With Direct Brands ANN ARBOR, MICH/AUTHORLINK NEWS/ June 30, 2011 Borders Group, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Direct Brands, a portfolio company of Najafi Companies, and intends to move forward with submitting the agreement to the Court to serve as the stalking horse bid for a Court-supervised auction of the business under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Borders believes a sale provides the best path forward to reposition the business for a successful future and to maximize value for the Companys stakeholders.
Under the terms of the agreement and subject to further due diligence, Direct Brands would purchase substantially all of the Companys assets for $215.1 million plus the assumption of approximately $220 million of liabilities, subject to the auction and Bankruptcy Court approval. Najafi Companies is a Phoenix, Ariz.-based private investment company with extensive experience in several customer-focused businesses. The firm acquired Direct Brands in 2008, including Book-of-the-Month Club, Doubleday Book Clubs and Columbia House. The tentative purchase agreement will occur prior to the Court hearing on July 1.
If consummated and under the terms of the agreement, Borders would operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Direct Brands. As part of the agreement with Direct Brands, Hilco and Gordon Brothers have agreed to acquire any store locations that are ultimately not included in the sale and will close those stores in an orderly manner.
Mike Edwards, Borders Group President, said, We are pleased to take another important step forward as we position Borders for a vibrant future and sustainable earnings growth. Since the filing, we have made significant progress in reducing our cost structure, refocusing our merchandise offering, and building our eBook business. We look forward to working with a supportive partner as we continue to execute on our turnaround strategy.
Under its turnaround plan, Borders introduced a revitalized in-store experience particularly with respect to its Kids offering and a new Borders Café program in its superstores featuring a new Café design and tailored menu items. On the digital front, Borders is capturing a larger share of the eBook market through an expanded partnership with Kobo. In addition to providing customers with access to Kobos vast inventory of digital books, the Company recently introduced the new Kobo eReader Touch Edition to great reviews, and the device will be available in stores in early July.
Mr. Edwards concluded, We appreciate the continued support of our employees, customers and business partners as we work toward a successful resolution to our restructuring.
During the sale process, Borders is continuing to conduct business and serve customers in the ordinary course, including honoring its Borders Rewards program, gift cards and other customer programs.
In addition to the Companys filing a motion today with the Bankruptcy Court seeking authorization to conduct a Court-supervised auction, the Company also submitted an alternative proposal required under the Companys DIP financing agreement, in the event that a going-concern sale is not consummated, that comprises an orderly sale of all the assets of the business by a joint venture led by Hilco and Gordon Brothers.
The Company anticipates completing the sale process by late July.
Borders legal advisors are Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP and Baker & McKenzie, and its financial advisor is Jefferies & Company, Inc. Alix Partners is serving as Restructuring Advisor. Advisors for Najafi Companies include Ballard Spahr LLP and New York-based Debevoise & Plimpton LLP.
Additional information about the reorganization is available at www.bordersreorganization.com.
About Borders Group, Inc.
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of books as well as other educational and entertainment items. Online shopping is offered through borders.com. Find author interviews and vibrant discussions of the products we and our customers are passionate about online at facebook.com/borders, twitter.com/borders and youtube.com/bordersmedia. For more information about the Company, visit borders.com/media.
About Najafi Companies
Najafi Companies is an international private investment firm based in Phoenix, Arizona. The firm makes highly-selective investments up to $1 billion in size in companies with strong management teams across a variety of industries, and often in industries out of popular favor. The firm takes a long-term view on its investments and focuses its efforts to create value through growth and superior performance. Najafi Companies funds investments with internally generated capital, not through a fund. Free from the restrictions of a fund, the firm is able to move quickly and decisively when investing, and with no requirements to return capital to outside partners, Najafi Companies is able to make investments that create maximum value for the long-term. For more information about Najafi Companies, visit www.najafi.com.
About Direct Brands
Direct Brands is one of the largest direct-to-consumer distributors of media products in the U.S. The company is home to music, DVD and book club brands such as BMG Music Service, Columbia House DVD, BOMC2.com, Doubleday Book Club, and Book of the Month Club as well as a number of special interest and lifestyle book clubs. The company serves members in the U.S. and Canada through its various club catalogs and online.
