Brookstone Announces Sailing Capital Consortium as Winning Bidder

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MERRIMACK, N.H., June 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovative product development company and multi-channel retailer Brookstone, Inc. ("Company") announced today that Sailing Innovation (US) Inc. ("Sailing"), a consortium led by Sailing Capital Overseas Investment Fund, LP, along with a financing commitment from GE Capital, has been selected as the winning bidder at the Company's June 2 auction for a final purchase price of $135.7 million, net of cash and assumed liabilities. The sale is subject to bankruptcy court approval and is expected to close by early July, 2014. Under Sailing, Brookstone will continue to operate as a stand-alone company and brand. 

Jim Speltz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brookstone said, "This is a very exciting day for Brookstone. We were looking for a strong strategic partner who shares our vision and passion for Brookstone's next phase of growth. We have found these qualities in Sailing and are thrilled about the opportunity to begin leveraging the resources of their global partners, including Sanpower Group in China. We will emerge from Chapter 11 as a healthy company with a bright future, and look forward to servicing our customers for years to come." 

James Liu, President and CEO of Sailing Capital Advisors (Hong Kong) Limited, stated, "Brookstone is an icon of American innovation. Sailing is keen to retain and build upon the strong brand equity of Brookstone to reignite its historical roots in delighting and exciting customers with unique and innovative products. We are committed to strengthen Brookstone's operations in the U.S. To this end, we will work with Brookstone's management and team to enhance R&D capabilities, blaze new trails with cutting-edge products, rejuvenate its stores and motivate the sales team." 

"There remains a great thirst all around the world for what Brookstone can offer," said Liu, "we will also expand Brookstone's footprint beyond the US. As part of this strategy, our partner, Sanpower Group, will assist Brookstone in penetrating the fast-growing China market as well as establishing a presence in the UK. We believe the opportunities ahead for Brookstone are simply immense."

Brookstone's legal advisor for the restructuring is K&L Gates LLP and its financial advisor is Deloitte CRG.  Jefferies LLC is the Company's investment banker, and has provided advice on the restructuring and sale of the Company. The legal advisor to Sailing is Gibson Dunn & Crutcher and the financial advisor is Houlihan Lokey.

Company info

About Brookstone:
Brookstone is an innovative product development company and multichannel lifestyle retailer. Brookstone operates approximately 240 stores in the United States and Puerto Rico. Typically located in high-traffic regional shopping malls and airports, the stores feature unique and innovative consumer products. Brookstone also operates an e-commerce business that includes the Brookstone catalog and Brookstone.com. 

About the Consortium:
Sailing Innovation (US) Inc. is an investment vehicle led by Sailing Capital Overseas Investment Fund, LP.

Sailing Capital Overseas Investment Fund, LP is the first large cross-border RMB private equity fund launched in China. The fund, established by Shanghai International Group, with initial capital raised from limited partners, themselves all successful and influential domestic enterprises, engages in direct private equity investments and can participate throughout the capital structure -- equity, structured finance, mezzanine and/or debt -- for buy-out, control or significant minority positions. Sailing Capital Advisors (Hong Kong) Limited advises the manager of Sailing Capital Overseas Investment Fund, LP.

Sanpower Group, founded in 1993 and based in Nanjing, China, is a business conglomerate which owns two of China's leading retail assets – Hiteker and Cenbest. Hiteker is ranked 15^th out of the top 100 retailers in China by the China Chain Store and Franchise Association. Focused on IT products and services, it has over 350 retail outlets across 13 provinces in China. Cenbest, located in Xinjiekou, Nanjing, is one of the top 10 department stores in China.

GE Capital, Corporate Retail Finance is a leading provider of senior secured loans and equipment finance to U.S. retailers supporting growth, working capital, acquisitions, turnarounds and balance sheet optimization.   Clients also benefit from access to GE's best practices to help build their business. Visit geccf.com/newsroom or follow @GELendLease on Twitter. GE Capital offers consumers and businesses around the globe an array of financial products and services. For more information, visit gecapital.com or follow company news via Twitter (@GECapital).

SOURCE Brookstone