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Dorel to Acquire Brazilian Bicycle Brand

8/23/2013
Dorel Industries Inc. announces it is acquiring a 70 percent interest in Caloi, a major Brazilian manufacturer of bicycles and bicycle equipment. Established in 1898 in Brazil, Caloi is one of the oldest and most established bicycle brands in the world. It is the largest bicycle brand in Latin America and is the leader in the Brazilian market. The purchase price was a high single digit multiple of Caloi's EBITDA. Sales in 2012 were close to R$273.5 million, a 22 percent increase over the previous year. The company has an estimated market share in Brazil of more than 40 percent. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Dorel's earnings.

"This new partnership with Caloi positions Dorel as one of the largest bicycle companies in the world, as well as a leader of the Americas," comments Dorel President & CEO, Martin Schwartz. "We have built this segment into a billion dollar business in just nine years and see tremendous growth ahead. We remain focused on maximizing this sector so that we may continue to enhance shareholder value. We are delighted to welcome the Caloi team to Dorel. Eduardo Musa, current Caloi CEO will become the bicycle segment's Brazil President and will join its global management team."

Schwartz adds that Dorel has been doing business in Brazil since 2009 when it established a new juvenile products division there. "We have developed a strong juvenile product operation in Brazil and the business has been growing this year. Despite current economic challenges in the country which we are well aware of, we believe the consumer market is good and is headed in the right direction. We see this transaction as a solid opportunity."

Caloi's portfolio encompasses a full range of bicycles, from high-performance to children's models, including mountain bikes, urban, recreational and road bikes. Caloi's products are distributed across the country through a variety of channels, from mass market to independent bicycle dealers.

Caloi employs 900 people at its various locations, including its head office in So Paulo, the Technology and Logistics Center in Atibaia and its manufacturing facility in Manaus, which is the largest bicycle manufacturing plant outside Southeast Asia, producing more than 700,000 units per year.
Brazil will become a production hub for Dorel. Caloi's factory in Manaus will assemble bikes for the company's brands, such as Cannondale, Schwinn, Mongoose and GT to serve the Brazilian and export markets.

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