CSC Generation Submits Proposal to Acquire Flexsteel Industries for $20.80 Per Share in Cash

Rhea-AI Summary

CSC Generation Holdings, Inc. has proposed an all-cash acquisition of Flexsteel Industries, Inc. at a price of $20.80 per share, representing a 22% premium over Flexsteel's last closing price of $17.10. CSC, a significant shareholder, believes the acquisition will optimize Flexsteel's performance and offer immediate liquidity for shareholders. The transaction, which CSC can fully fund, aims to transform Flexsteel into a digitally-focused brand. The proposal is contingent on board and shareholder approvals, among other conditions.

Positive

• Acquisition proposal at $20.80 per share reflects a 22% premium over Flexsteel's closing price.
• CSC can fully fund the transaction, ensuring no financing contingencies.
• Proposal aims to enhance Flexsteel's performance under private ownership.

Negative

• None.

MERRILLVILLE, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CSC Generation Holdings, Inc. today released the below correspondence sent to Flexsteel Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: FLXS), which details CSC’s $20.80 per share all-cash acquisition proposal.

August 24, 2022

The Board of Directors
Flexsteel Industries, Inc.
385 Bell Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-0877

Members of the Board of Directors:

As you know, CSC Generation Holdings, Inc. (together with its affiliates, “CSC” or “we”) is a meaningful shareholder of Flexsteel Industries, Inc. (“Flexsteel” or the “Company”). We are disappointed that the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has failed to respond to our recent acquisition proposal. We continue to firmly believe that the Company’s performance would be optimized under private ownership, and are accordingly pleased to present a new proposal to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Flexsteel not already owned by CSC at a price equal to $20.80 per share in cash (the “Transaction”). We are submitting this new proposal to acquire the Company in order to facilitate constructive discussions with the Board, with the goal of entering into a mutually agreeable Transaction that is in the best interests of all shareholders.

CSC believes this proposal provides an attractive opportunity for shareholders to obtain immediate liquidity at a full value that exceeds what we believe the Company can be expected to achieve in the coming years if it remains on its current standalone course in the public market. For shareholders, our proposal represents approximately a 22% premium over yesterday’s closing price of $17.10.

We would be able to fully fund the Transaction using cash on hand and external financing from our existing lenders, such that the Transaction would not be contingent on obtaining financing. Given our familiarity with Flexsteel and our deep experience in the furniture products industry, we would require limited due diligence in connection with the Transaction. We are prepared to immediately commence and promptly complete this diligence.

About CSC and its Track Record of Success in Retail and Ecommerce

CSC is a technology company that acquires overlooked store and catalogue-based companies and transforms them into high-performance, “digital first” brands. We rely on our proven omni-channel technology platform, operating expertise and scale. We are backed by world-class institutional investors, including Altos Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Panasonic and the family offices of domain experts in the industry, including the founders of Wayfair and Build.com.

Since our founding in 2016, we have acquired and successfully integrated a number of well-known brands, such as Sur La Table and One Kings Lane. When we acquired Sur La Table, the business – like Flexsteel – was predominantly driven by offline sales in physical stores and had struggled to adapt to the online landscape. In just two years, we have evolved Sur La Table into a digitally-centric business, while achieving a majority of sales online and increasing adjusted EBITDA by more than 4x. Across our portfolio, we also have a strong track record of partnering with existing management and building upon the legacies of longstanding furniture businesses. One such example is the Home Consignment Center, which the long-time founder has continued to operate since we acquired the business. If you would like to ask him about his experience working with us, I would love to put you in touch with him.

Based on our experience and today’s post-pandemic environment, we believe transformation is needed at Flexsteel, and that a successful outcome can only be executed as a private business with the additional resources of a digitally native owner like CSC. We believe that the Company’s stock has traded at a substantial discount to its true value for the past several years and will continue to trade below its intrinsic value if it remains publicly listed, particularly as there appears to be little appetite among institutional investors for wholesale furniture companies.

Additional Proposal Details

The Transaction would be subject to the following conditions: (i) receipt of required Board and shareholder approvals; (ii) receipt of any required governmental and third-party approvals (including the expiration or termination of all applicable waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, to the extent required, and any required consents under any material contracts); (iii) limited confirmatory due diligence; and (iv) the negotiation and execution of a definitive merger agreement providing for the Transaction, which agreement would provide for customary break-up fees and “go shop” and “fiduciary out” provisions, as well as other customary representations, warranties, covenants and conditions. We would work with the Company to promptly obtain shareholder approval for the Transaction. We, together with our legal advisors Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP, are ready to conduct the limited due diligence required, negotiate and prepare definitive documentation, and finalize and enter into binding agreements, including, without limitation, any required financing commitments, in short order. We are prepared to devote considerable resources to completing this Transaction. We are confident that with your cooperation we will be able to execute a definitive transaction agreement without delay.

Please note that our proposal is based entirely on publicly available information. If upon further due diligence, we become aware of some component or aspect of the business and its prospects that evidences additional value inherent in the Company, we are prepared to increase our proposed price to reflect this new information. We are also willing to discuss alternative transaction structures, and stand ready to engage meaningfully and constructively with the Board to achieve a successful transaction in a quick and efficient manner in order to maximize value for all the Company’s shareholders. Of course, this letter constitutes an expression of interest only and does not create and shall not be deemed to constitute or create any legally binding or enforceable obligations on the part of either of us until a definitive transaction agreement is executed. We reserve the right to withdraw or modify any proposal at any time and for any reason.

Next Steps

As noted, we believe that our proposal represents the best opportunity for the Company’s shareholders to achieve full and certain value for their shares on an expeditious basis. We look forward to hearing from you and opening up a dialogue to accomplish a value-maximizing transaction.

Sincerely,
Justin Yoshimura
Founder, Chairman and CEO

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220824005295/en/

Longacre Square Partners

Greg Marose / Kate Sylvester, 646-386-0091

gmarose@longacresquare.com / ksylvester@longacresquare.com

Source: CSC Generation Holdings, Inc.

FAQ

What is the acquisition proposal from CSC Generation for Flexsteel Industries, FLXS?

CSC Generation proposed to acquire Flexsteel Industries for $20.80 per share in cash, offering a 22% premium over its last closing price.

What are the benefits of the CSC acquisition proposal for Flexsteel shareholders?

The proposal offers immediate liquidity at a premium price, potentially optimizing the company's performance as a private entity.

What conditions must be met for the CSC acquisition of Flexsteel to proceed?

The acquisition is subject to board and shareholder approvals, as well as regulatory requirements and due diligence.

How does CSC plan to fund the acquisition of Flexsteel Industries?

CSC intends to fund the acquisition using cash on hand and external financing from lenders.

What experience does CSC Generation have in transforming retail companies?

CSC has successfully transformed brands like Sur La Table, increasing their online sales and overall performance significantly.