Benzinga | Aug 3, 2021 06:57AM EDT

Wolverine Worldwide Reports Purchase Of Sweaty Betty For $410M In Cash

* Adds digitally-native, premium global apparel brand to the Company's portfolio, which is expected to fuel growth and enhance Wolverine Worldwide's fast-growing eCommerce business

* Expected to be accretive to earnings in year one

* Wolverine Worldwide to hold a conference call today, August 3, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. EDT

ROCKFORD, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE:WWW), which operates one of the world's largest portfolios of footwear and lifestyle brands, today announced that it has acquired Sweaty Betty(r), a global fitness and lifestyle brand on a mission to empower women. The all-cash transaction is valued at approximately $410 million and closed on August 2, 2021.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005298/en/

Wolverine Worldwide Acquires Women's Activewear Brand Sweaty Betty (Photo: Business Wire)

Founded in 1998, Sweaty Betty has quickly grown to become a global brand designed by women for women. It has cultivated a loyal following through its purpose-driven mission and high quality products, including a wide array of innovative and on-trend tops, bottoms, swimwear, outerwear, and accessories. Distributed around the world, over eighty percent of the brand's revenue currently comes through direct-to-consumer channels, allowing deep connections with its passionate consumer base.

"The acquisition of Sweaty Betty complements our strategic shift over the last several years from a traditional footwear wholesaler into a consumer-obsessed, digital-focused growth company. It also gives us a leadership position in the growing women's activewear category," said Blake W. Krueger, Wolverine's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Wolverine Worldwide has a long and successful track record of acquiring and building brands, including performance brands like Sweaty Betty, and we are thrilled to welcome them to our Company."

"Sweaty Betty aligns perfectly with our strategic growth plan for Wolverine Worldwide, as we focus on growing digital channels, expanding our international footprint, and building our brand portfolio beyond footwear," said Brendan Hoffman, President of Wolverine Worldwide. "Sweaty Betty's expertise and focus on apparel, female consumers, and best-in-class digital execution has proven to be a winning combination. We are excited to support the brand's continued growth while learning from its digital-first mindset and leveraging that strength across our portfolio."

Sweaty Betty's Chief Executive Officer, Julia Straus, will continue to lead the brand and will report to Hoffman. "Sweaty Betty has seen incredible growth over the past few years, and we are excited to further accelerate this growth as part of the Wolverine Worldwide family," said Straus. "From the moment I met the team at Wolverine Worldwide, I knew they were the right partner to support us in the next chapter of Sweaty Betty. Their portfolio of purpose-driven heritage brands, knowledge and expertise in building performance brands, robust international distribution, and supply chain expertise provides a strong platform to expand Sweaty Betty and further our mission to 'empower more women through fitness all over the world'."

"We founded Sweaty Betty in 1998 with the purpose to empower women through fitness, and today we are delighted to have found the right partner in Wolverine Worldwide, a company that is perfectly positioned to support the acceleration of our mission," said Tamara and Simon Hill-Norton, Founders of Sweaty Betty. "We're so proud to have built an incredible community of active women who inspire us daily and are excited to see this powerful and supportive community grow worldwide."

TRANSACTION DETAILS

Effective August 2, 2021, Wolverine Worldwide acquired all the shares of Lady of Leisure InvestCo Limited, the entity that owns the Sweaty Betty brand, from L Catterton and other shareholders for approximately $410 million, funded by cash and the Company's revolving line of credit. It is expected to be accretive to earnings in year one.

Additional details about the transaction are contained in a presentation under "Webcasts and Presentations" in the Investor Relations section of www.wolverineworldwide.com

Rothschild & Co. served as financial advisor to Wolverine Worldwide, with Baker McKenzie and Honigman LLP as legal advisors. Goldman Sachs International served as lead financial advisor to Sweaty Betty; Financo/Raymond James served as financial advisor to Sweaty Betty; Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP served as lead legal advisors to L Catterton, Wittington Investments Limited, and Sweaty Betty; and Pinsent Masons LLP served as legal advisors to Sweaty Betty.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

The Company will host a conference call today at 10:30 a.m. EST to discuss this acquisition. The conference call may be accessed live by calling toll-free 1-877-407-4018 or international toll 1-201-689-8471. You may also access the webcast under "Webcasts and Presentations" in the Investor Relations section of www.wolverineworldwide.com. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's website for a period of approximately 30 days.