American Capital Invests $56 Million in Buyout of Unwired Technology
10 6월 2005 - 7:47AM
PR Newswire (US)
American Capital Invests $56 Million in Buyout of Unwired
Technology BETHESDA, Md., June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American
Capital Strategies Ltd. (NASDAQ:ACAS) announced today it has
invested $56 million in the buyout of Unwired Technology LLC, a
leading designer, marketer and supplier of wireless headphones for
automotive entertainment systems. American Capital's investment
takes the form of a senior term loan, senior subordinated debt,
junior subordinated debt and equity. American Capital is also
providing a revolving credit facility and committing to a senior
term loan. Unwired founder, President and CEO Lawrence Richenstein
is rolling over a portion of his equity and will retain a
significant ownership interest and continue to manage the Company.
Post close, American Capital owns approximately 57% of Unwired on a
fully diluted basis. "With our investment in Unwired Technology, we
add a leader in high-tech consumer products to our growing
portfolio of 130 diverse middle market companies. Unwired's
unmatched market share, low fixed cost structure and strong cash
flows make it a compelling investment opportunity," said American
Capital COO Ira Wagner. "American Capital's in-house due diligence
team, experience in the consumer products industry and one-stop
financing capability set us apart in this investment." American
Capital has invested over $2.6 billion in the last twelve months,
over $950 million year to date and $540 million quarter to date.
For more information about American Capital's portfolio, go to
http://www.acas.com/our_portfolio/our_portfolio.cfm. "Unwired
Technology is the technology leader of wireless headphones and
components for automotive entertainment systems and the premier
global supplier of wireless headphones systems to the automotive
OEM market and aftermarket. The Company has developed strong and
diversified customer relationships and serves every major supplier
of entertainment systems in the automotive OEM market and
aftermarket," said American Capital Principal Ian Larkin. "Unwired
has built its reputation on innovative technology, research and
development efforts, high quality products and outstanding customer
service. Its reputation and pursuit of leading technology place it
in an excellent position for advancement as the market experiences
a proliferation of audio sources for automotive vehicles." "We are
pleased to support the growth of Unwired Technology, a market
leader on the forefront of technological advancement and increasing
demand in a growing industry," said American Capital Vice President
Jon Leiman. "Unwired is the benchmark for all suppliers of wireless
headphones. Its strong brand identity, reputation for quality and
service and leading technology have everyone else playing catch-up.
We're looking forward to working with President and CEO Larry
Richenstein, a market visionary who has led the Company since
inception." Founded in 1997, Plainview, NY-headquartered Unwired
was the first to adapt wireless headphone technology for in-vehicle
use and the first to introduce two source headphone systems. The
Company offers a complete line of single and multi-source analog
wireless systems, including infrared headphones and transmitters.
These wireless systems are used for entertainment and information
applications in vehicles, including video game, DVD, CD, satellite
radio and television, voice-based navigation and MP3 player
systems. In 2003, the Company began producing a new headphone
system with a new proprietary digital technology called
WhiteFire(R), the only four source digital system available.
WhiteFire(R) was recognized by the Consumer Electronics Association
as a Consumer Electronics Show Innovation Awards Honoree. The
Company's list of customers includes all of the premier suppliers
to both the automotive OEM market and aftermarket. "American
Capital's responsiveness, flexibility and financing capabilities
make them the right financial partner for Unwired's continued
growth and development," said Unwired President and CEO Lawrence
Richenstein. "We're looking forward to a long and productive
working relationship with American Capital." For more information
about Unwired's full line of top quality, technologically leading
wireless headphones, go to
http://www.acas.com/news/press_releases/pr/pr.cfm?p_pr=pr20050609-1a.html.
ABOUT AMERICAN CAPITAL American Capital is a publicly traded buyout
and mezzanine fund with capital resources of approximately $5.2
billion. American Capital is an investor in and sponsor of
management and employee buyouts, invests in private equity buyouts,
and provides capital directly to private and small public
companies. American Capital provides senior debt, mezzanine debt
and equity to fund growth, acquisitions and recapitalizations. As
of May 31, 2005, American Capital shareholders have enjoyed a total
return of 364% since the Company's IPO -- an annualized return of
22%, assuming reinvestment of dividends. American Capital
outperformed 86%, 78%, 93% and 98% of all public companies in the
1-year, 3-years, 5-years and the approximately 7-1/2 years since
our IPO, in each case ending May 31, 2005. American Capital has
paid a total of $717 million in dividends and paid or declared
$17.51 dividends per share since its August 1997 IPO at $15 per
share. Companies interested in learning more about American
Capital's flexible financing should contact Mark Opel, Senior Vice
President, Business Development, at (800) 248-9340, or visit our
website at http://www.americancapital.com/. Performance data quoted
above represents past performance of American Capital. Past
performance does not guarantee future results and the investment
return and principal value of an investment in American Capital
will likely fluctuate. Consequently, an investor's shares, when
sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Additionally, American Capital's current performance may be lower
or higher than the performance data quoted above. This press
release contains forward-looking statements. The statements
regarding expected results of American Capital Strategies are
subject to various factors and uncertainties, including the
uncertainties associated with the timing of transaction closings,
changes in interest rates, availability of transactions, changes in
regional, national or international economic conditions, or changes
in the conditions of the industries in which American Capital has
made investments. DATASOURCE: American Capital Strategies Ltd.
CONTACT: Ian Larkin, Principal, +1-312-681-7400, or Jon Leiman,
Vice President, +1-312-681-7400, or Brian Maney, Director,
Corporate Communications, +1-301-951-6122, all of American Capital
Strategies Ltd. Web site: http://www.americancapital.com/
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