Physicians Formula to be acquired by Markwins for nearly $75M
ZUSA, Calif. and CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. — Physicians Formula and Markwins International announced on Thursday that they have entered into a merger agreement under which Markwins will acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Physicians Formula for $4.90 per share in cash, or approximately $74.9 million.
Physicians Formula also announced that, immediately prior to entering into the merger agreement with Markwins, it terminated its previously announced merger agreement with affiliates of Swander Pace Capital. In accordance with the terms of that previous merger agreement, Physicians Formula is required to pay a termination fee of about $1.29 million to the affiliates of Swander Pace Capital.
The per share price represents a premium of approximately 33% to Physicians Formula's closing stock price on Aug. 14 (the trading day prior to the announcement that Physicians Formula entered into a merger agreement with affiliates of Swander Pace Capital) and a premium of approximately 40% to Physicians Formula's one-month volume-weighted average price as of that same date.
The proposed merger with Markwins is expected to close later this year. Upon the closing of the merger, Physicians Formula will be owned by Markwins, and the employees of Physicians Formula will become employees of Markwins. At this time, the employees of Physicians Formula will continue to be located at the company's existing facilities in Azusa, Calif.
"Our board of directors, following a thorough analysis by its Special Committee, has unanimously determined that the proposed merger with Markwins offers the best value for our stockholders," stated Ingrid Jackel, Physicians Formula chairwoman and CEO. "We are pleased that Markwins has agreed to purchase our company. Markwins and Physicians Formula sell noncompeting brands in similar channels. Combining the resources and experience of both companies will strengthen the combined portfolio of brands."
"Following receipt of Markwins' acquisition proposal, the Special Committee oversaw negotiations with Markwins that resulted in an increase in the aggregate merger consideration to stockholders of approximately $10 million, or a 15% increase to the Swander Pace offer. We believe this all cash sale of Physicians Formula to Markwins is in the best interests of the stockholders of Physicians Formula," added Thomas Lynch, chairman of the Special Committee.
"The acquisition of Physicians Formula fulfills a strategic Markwins objective to expand and diversify our already robust brand portfolio. We believe this is a synergistic acquisition that creates an immediate opportunity to broaden our consumer base and enrich our retail partnerships," Markwins CEO Eric Chen stated. "Physicians Formula is widely recognized for its innovative beauty solutions and loyal customer base which makes it a natural complement to the ideology of all Markwins brands. Markwins believes this purchase reflects fair value to current shareholders, while delivering on the company's expectations of high growth and continued global expansion."