PERRIS, CA, Feb. 16 -- National
R.V. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NVH), today announced that it has entered
into a binding definitive agreement to sell its Junction City, Oregon
Country Coach Subsidiary to Country Coach Holdings, LLC, a company owned
primarily by Riley Investment Management, LLC. The all-cash deal calls
for a one-time cash payment of $38.75 million and the assumption of
approximately $13 million in debt in the form of overdue payables, and
is expected to close early next week.
"This transaction is very good for the
Company, enabling us to clear up our debt and provide the necessary
funding and resources to support National RV in its turnaround," stated
Brad Albrechtsen, the Company's CEO. "The future looks very exciting. We
have been able to hold our own in the marketplace in spite of the
uncertainty and difficulties. We have continued to add innovative
products and to partner with new dealers. The sale of Country Coach
provides the resources to return our focus to designing, building, and
selling great motorhomes."
"In addition," continued Albrechtsen,
"we can now bring an end to what has been a very difficult period and a
very public process, which have resulted in a tremendous amount of
uncertainty amongst our shareholders, employees, dealers, suppliers, and
even our motorhome owners. We appreciate everyone's patience and
loyalty."
Doy Henley, Chairman of the Board of
National RV Holdings, stated, "We deeply appreciate the tremendous
efforts that all of our employees have put forth during this difficult
time. We also appreciate the patience of our stockholders and lenders.
We are confident that this transaction not only allows us to move
forward without the severe capital restrictions we have been under
operationally, but also gives us the resources to pursue with vigor all
possible legal options in connection with the tremendous damages we
incurred due to defective fiberglass material that was sold to us by
Crane Composites. This problem happened to us at the worst possible time
and caused severe financial hardship on our Company."
In commenting on the decision to sell
Country Coach, Albrechtsen stated, "We genuinely believe the transaction
is in the best interests of both Country Coach and our shareholders. The
decision stemmed from our inability to provide the capital necessary for
both the Country Coach operations and the National RV turnaround. We
simply didn't have the resources to fight both battles. It gives Country
Coach the opportunities it needs while retaining National RV, and
provides an opportunity for growth and value enhancement for our
shareholders."
The Company also reported that
cost-cutting efforts have and will continue at National RV in response
to continued weakness in the Class A market, and that the sale of
Country Coach also enables the Company to streamline some of its
corporate and public costs.
The Company also announced that it has
signed an amendment to its credit facility with UPS Capital and Wells
Fargo. In light of the reduced needs, the amendment calls for the
withdrawal of UPS from the line of credit, and a reduction in the line
from $40 million down to $15 million.
The Spartan Group LLC acted as
financial advisor to the Company with regards to this transaction.
About National R.V. Holdings, Inc.
National R.V. Holdings, Inc., through
its wholly owned subsidiary, National RV, Inc. (NRV), is one of the
nation's leading producers of motorized recreation vehicles. NRV is
located in Perris, California where it produces Class A gas and diesel
motor homes under model names Dolphin, Islander, Pacifica, Sea Breeze,
Surf Side, Tradewinds and Tropi-Cal.
This release and other statements by
the Company contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including statements
about the Company's future expectations, performance, plans, and
prospects, as well as assumptions about future events. Investors are
cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain.
Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected
or suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties including,
without limitation, the cyclical nature of the recreational vehicle
industry; continuation of losses; the ability of the Company to address
the effects caused by fiberglass material supplied by a third party
supplier; the ability of the Company's new and redesigned product
introductions to achieve market acceptance; the ability of the Company
to close the sale leaseback transaction discussed above; the ability of
the Company to obtain long-term debt financing; seasonality and
potential fluctuations in the Company's operating results; any material
weaknesses in the Company's internal control over financial reporting or
the failure to remediate any of the previously disclosed material
weaknesses; any failure to implement required new or improved controls;
the Company's ability to maintain its stock exchange listing; the
Company's dependence on chassis suppliers; potential liabilities under
dealer/lender repurchase agreements; competition; government regulation;
warranty claims; product liability; and dependence on certain dealers
and concentration of dealers in certain regions. Certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
that projected or suggested are set forth in the Company's Form 10-K and
other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the
Company's public announcements, copies of which are available from the
SEC or from the Company upon request.
Contact:
Thomas J Martini
800.322.6007
cfo@nrvh.com
02/16/2007
CONTACT: Thomas J Martini of National R.V. Holdings, Inc.,
+1-800-322-6007, cfo@nrvh.com
(NVH)
© 2007 National R. V. Holdings, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.