CSS Industries Announces Acquisition by IG Design Group plc



CSS Industries Announces Acquisition by IG Design Group plc | CSS Industries, acquisition,

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. (News release) -- CSS Industries, Inc., a leading consumer products company serving the craft, gift and seasonal markets, today announces that it has entered into a merger agreement under which IG Design Group plc, through a subsidiary, will acquire CSS for $9.40 per share in an all cash transaction valued at approximately $88 million. CSS' Board of Directors, based on the recommendation of a special committee of independent directors formed by the Board to evaluate the transaction and potential alternatives, has unanimously approved the transaction, as has the Board of Directors of Design Group. Upon completion of the transaction, CSS will become part of Design Group's Design Group Americas business.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, a subsidiary of Design Group will commence a cash tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of CSS common stock for $9.40 per share. The closing of the tender offer is subject to customary closing conditions, including the tender of at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the outstanding shares of CSS common stock. The merger agreement contemplates that Design Group, through its subsidiary, will acquire any shares of CSS that are not tendered into the offer through a second-step merger, which will be completed as soon as practicable following the closing of the tender offer. It is expected that the transaction will close during CSS' current fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2020, subject to customary closing conditions.

"We are delighted to announce this transaction with Design Group," said Rebecca Matthias, Chair of CSS' Board of Directors. "Our Board has continuously focused on evaluating opportunities to enhance stockholder value, and following a strategic review that included a thoughtful internal process and expert external advice, we concluded that this transaction with Design Group delivers a compelling price, with value certainty, to our stockholders, while at the same time offering our business an exciting path forward with a company that shares our focus on providing product design, innovation and value to our customers and consumers."

Paul Fineman, Design Group's Chief Executive Officer, said: "As well as doubling the scale of our US business, the combination of CSS and Design Group further strengthens our position as the global leader in consumer gift packaging and establishes us as a major supplier to the creative craft market. The acquisition significantly enhances the portfolio of products, brands and services that we offer to our global customer base of 'winning' retailers, as well as providing access to many new channels and markets. Through leveraging CSS' quality customer base, manufacturing capability and recognized brand portfolio, together with the strength of our existing business in the US, this transaction delivers substantial opportunities for synergies across the Group and further accelerates the Group's positive momentum. We are delighted to have once again identified a compelling opportunity that meets our clear criteria, whilst maintaining prudent levels of average leverage. This acquisition is not only earnings enhancing, it also provides us with tremendous prospects to create further value for our shareholders."

"We have known Paul and his team for many years, and we believe that there is a strong cultural fit between the two organizations," commented Christopher J. Munyan, CSS' President and Chief Executive Officer. "CSS' vision, values and culture are closely aligned with those of Design Group, including their focus on expanding into complementary categories and growth through acquisition."

Guggenheim Securities, LLC is acting as financial advisor to CSS; Morgan, Lewis and Bockius LLP is serving as CSS' legal advisor; and Pepper Hamilton LLP is serving as special counsel to the special committee of the CSS Board. Canaccord Genuity Limited is acting as financial advisor to Design Group and Seyfarth Shaw is serving as Design Group's US legal advisor.

About CSS Industries, Inc.

CSS is a creative consumer products company, focused on the craft, gift and seasonal categories. For these design-driven categories, we engage in the creative development, manufacture, procurement, distribution and sale of our products with an omni-channel approach focused primarily on mass market retailers. Our core products within the craft category include sewing patterns, ribbons, trims, buttons, needle arts and kids' crafts. For the gift category, our core products are designed to celebrate certain life events or special occasions, with a focus on packaging items, such as ribbons, bows, bags and wrap, as well as stationery, baby gift items, and party and entertaining products. For the seasonal category, we focus on holiday gift packaging items including ribbons, bows, bags, tags and gift card holders, in addition to specific holiday-themed decorations and activities, including Easter egg dyes and Valentine's Day classroom exchange cards. In keeping with our corporate mission, all of our products are designed to help make life memorable.

About IG Design Group plc

IG Design Group plc, the largest consumer gift packaging business in the world, is a designer, innovator and manufacturer of products that help people celebrate life's special occasions. Design Group works with more than 11,000 customers in over 80 countries throughout the UK, Europe, Australia and the USA. Its products are found in over 210,000 retail outlets, including several of the world's biggest retailers, for example Walmart, Tesco, Amazon, Carrefour and Aldi. Its brand, Tom Smith, also holds the Royal Warrant for the supply of Christmas crackers and Christmas wrapping paper to the Royal family. Design Group is a diverse business operating across multiple regions, categories, seasons and brands. Its four major product categories are: Celebrations, Stationery and Creative Play, Gifting, and 'Not-for-resale' consumables. It offers customers a full end-to-end service from design through to distribution, offering both branded and bespoke products from the value-focused through to the higher-margin ends of the market. The acquisition of Impact Innovations Inc. has significantly increased the scale of the Group and added to the Celebrations category with seasonal home décor product range providing a further opportunity for growth. The Company was admitted to the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange in 1995 under the name 'International Greetings plc' and rebranded to IG Design Group plc in 2016. For further information please visit www.thedesigngroup.com