Cruiser Capital Releases Presentation Detailing the Urgent Need to Change American Vanguard’s Boardroom

Rhea-AI Summary

Cruiser Capital, a significant shareholder of American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE:AVD), holding 2.5% of shares, has called for major changes in the company's board. In a recent presentation, Cruiser highlighted a decade of underperformance and the need for improved corporate governance. They are urging stockholders to vote for Cruiser's three nominees at the upcoming Annual Meeting on June 1, 2022, to enhance operational efficiency and long-term shareholder value. Cruiser emphasizes that current board members exhibit an entrenched mindset detrimental to stakeholders.

Positive

• Cruiser Capital has nominated three experienced individuals to improve AVD's board.
• The nominees aim to drive operational efficiency and enhance shareholder value.

Negative

• AVD has experienced a decade of underperformance under the current board.
• Current board governance policies are deemed antiquated and detrimental to stakeholders.

Highlights the Case for Change and How Cruiser’s Three Nominees Will Help Drive Operating Efficiency, Improve Corporate Governance and Deliver Long-Term Value for Stakeholders

Outlines AVD’s Chronic Underperformance and the Need for True Refreshment in the Boardroom

Encourages Stockholders to Vote on the BLUE Proxy Card to Elect Cruiser’s Three Highly Qualified Nominees

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cruiser Capital Master Fund LP and its affiliates (“Cruiser Capital,” or “Cruiser”), a top ten shareholder of American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE: AVD) (“American Vanguard,” “AVD” or the “Company”), owning approximately 2.5% of AVD’s outstanding shares, today released a presentation to stockholders outlining the urgent need to elevate American Vanguard following a decade of underperformance and poor corporate governance. Cruiser has nominated three directors with proven operational experience for election to the AVD Board of Directors at the June 1, 2022, Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The presentation detailing why stockholders should vote on the BLUE proxy card to support Cruiser Capital’s highly qualified nominees can be accessed here.

Cruiser Capital stated: “Real change is needed to address the long-term underperformance at American Vanguard and we believe this starts in the boardroom. Unfortunately, we believe the current long-tenured Board has adopted an entrenched mindset and antiquated corporate governance policies that have been to the detriment of the Company’s stakeholders. Our three highly qualified nominees, Mark Bassett, Pat Gottschalk and Keith Rosenbloom, will bring the operational acumen and independent perspectives needed to drive better margins, enhance stockholder value and increase transparency at AVD. We urge stockholders to vote on the BLUE card to elevate AVD today.”

About Cruiser Capital Advisors

Cruiser Capital Advisors, LLC is an investment management firm that concentrates its investments in companies it believes trade at public market values substantially different from intrinsic value. Cruiser often utilizes a constructivist approach to collaborate with management teams to help drive stockholder value. Cruiser may be contacted at Info@Cruisercap.com

Important Information

Cruiser has nominated three individuals as nominees to the board of directors of American Vanguard Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and intends to solicit votes for the election of those individuals as members of the Company’s board of directors. The individuals that have been nominated are Keith M. Rosenbloom, Patrick E. Gottschalk and Mark R. Bassett (the “Nominees”). Cruiser Capital Master Fund LP is sending a definitive proxy statement, BLUE proxy card and related proxy materials to shareholders of the Company seeking their support of the Nominees at the Company’s 2022 313 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Stockholders are urged to read the definitive proxy statement and BLUE proxy card, because they contain important information about the Nominees, the Company and related matters. Stockholders may obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement and BLUE proxy card and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) by Cruiser Capital and its affiliates (the “Cruiser Capital Parties”) at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. The definitive proxy statement and other related SEC documents filed with the SEC by the Cruiser Capital Parties may also be obtained free of charge from the Cruiser Capital Parties, upon request.

Participants in Solicitation

The following persons may be deemed to be participants in the planned solicitation from the Company’s shareholders of proxies in favor of the Nominees (the “Participants”): Cruiser Capital Advisors, LLC, Keith M. Rosenbloom, Cruiser Capital Master Fund LP, Metamorphosis VI LLC, Patrick E. Gottschalk and Mark R. Bassett who own some or all of their shares through accounts managed by Cruiser Capital Advisors, LLC. The Participants may have interests in the solicitation, including as a result of holding shares of the Company’s common stock. Information regarding the Participants and their interests may be found in the definitive proxy statement the Participants filed with the SEC on May 9, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

These materials may contain forward-looking statements. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature or that necessarily depend on future events are forward-looking, and the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “estimate,” “plan” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. The projected results and statements contained in these materials that are not historical facts are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date of such materials, and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such projected results and statements. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the control of the Cruiser Capital Parties. Although the Cruiser Capital Parties believe that the assumptions underlying the projected results or forward-looking statements included in these materials are reasonable as of the date of such materials, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate and therefore, there can be no assurance that the projected results or forward-looking statements included herein will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the projected results and forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation as to future results or that the objectives and strategic initiatives expressed or implied by such projected results and forward-looking statements will be achieved. The Cruiser Capital Parties will not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to disclose the results of any revisions that may be made to any projected results or forward- looking statements herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such projected results or statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220513005103/en/

Investor:

Okapi Partners

Jason Alexander / Bruce Goldfarb

Info@Okapipartners.com 

Cruiser Capital Advisors

Keith M. Rosenbloom

ElevateAVD@CruiserCap.com

Media:

Longacre Square Partners

Dan Zacchei / Miller Winston

DZacchei@longacresquare.com / MWinston@longacresquare.com

Source: Cruiser Capital Master Fund LP

FAQ

What changes does Cruiser Capital propose for AVD?

Cruiser Capital proposes to elect three experienced nominees to the AVD board to improve operational efficiency and corporate governance.

When is the AVD Annual Meeting for stockholders?

The AVD Annual Meeting for stockholders is scheduled for June 1, 2022.

What is Cruiser Capital's stake in AVD?

Cruiser Capital owns approximately 2.5% of AVD's outstanding shares.

How does Cruiser Capital describe AVD's board?

Cruiser Capital describes AVD's board as having an entrenched mindset and outdated governance policies.

Why should stockholders vote on the BLUE proxy card?

Stockholders should vote on the BLUE proxy card to support Cruiser's nominees aimed at revitalizing AVD's governance and performance.