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European Capital Completes Second One Stop Buyout (TM)

Paris (ots/PRNewswire)

- Invests in Leading Distributor of Motorcycle and Bicycle Gear
and Accessories
European Capital, S.A. SICAR announced today it has completed the
One Stop Buyout(TM) of Action Sport Holding, a leading distributor of
motorcycle and bicycle gear and accessories in France. European
Capital's investment takes the form of senior term loans, mezzanine
debt, redeemable bonds and common equity. Action Sport's management
team is investing in common equity and warrants. Post close, European
Capital owns approximately 88% of Action Sport, on a fully diluted
basis.
"European Capital's Paris office opened eight months ago and has
now completed its second One Stop Buyout(TM)," said Ira Wagner,
President of European Capital Financial Services Limited ("European
Capital Services"), the sub-investment manager of European Capital.
"Action Sport is exactly the type of company in which European
Capital seeks to invest: a market leader with a motivated management
team and a history of solid financial performance."
European Capital has invested approximately euro 253 million
(US$300 million) in 12 companies since its formation in August of
2005. For more information about European Capital's portfolio, go to
http://www.europeancapital.com/our_portfolio/our_portfolio.cfm.
"Action Sport's fully owned subsidiary Royal Moto France holds a
leading market position in the highly fragmented French motorcycle
parts and accessories market, which is secured through its exclusive
distribution rights to many strong brand names and its extensive and
growing contractual network of independent retailers known as
'UVSON'," said Jean Eichenlaub, European Capital Managing Director.
"In addition to its own private label brands, such as MaCadam and
Techno, Action Sport has long established positive relationships with
key leading brands of motorcycle and cycle gears and accessories,
including Sidi, Scott, Fox, Shift, Schuberth Helme, KBC, Giro, and
Bell. Action Sport has been distributing Fox Racing Inc., the global
leader of specialty clothing for off-road motorcycle and bicycle
riders for almost 30 years and is Fox's largest distributor in
Europe."
"Action Sport has a widely acclaimed reputation for
professionalism and its product offering of high quality brand names
generate additional revenues for retailers," said Jacques Pancrazi,
European Capital Director. "Over recent years, the Action Sport
management team has implemented proven growth strategies, which we
anticipate will continue to drive the Company's success. We're
looking forward to working with the team, especially newly appointed
President and CEO Michael Stelzhammer, who has worked at Action Sport
since 1979 and been instrumental in key strategic developments."
Founded in 1971, Action Sport's motorcycle and bicycle products
are marketed through four different operating entities: Royal Moto
France Accessories, a distributor of motorcycle gear and accessories;
Royal Velo France, a distributor of bicycle gear and accessories;
PXP, a distributor of motorcycle performance/tuning parts; and Royal
Outdoor, a distributor of branded outdoor accessories such as Fox
sportswear and footwear and Camelbak bags. Action Sport customers
include motorcycle dealers, bicycle retailers, motorcycle accessories
retailers and outdoor products retailers. The Company is
headquartered in Troyes, France and employs approximately 100 people.
"European Capital is exactly the partner Action Sport needs as we
move forward with our strategic growth initiatives," said Michael
Stelzhammer, Action Sport President and CEO. "With their financial
support and the combined experience of their investment team, we can
significantly expand our network of retailers in France, further
strengthen our value-added services to our retailers and enhance our
sourcing capabilities, all the while solidifying our position in the
French motorcycle and bicycle gear and accessories market."
ABOUT EUROPEAN CAPITAL
European Capital is a buyout and mezzanine fund with capital
resources of euro 750 million. European Capital invests in and
sponsors management and employee buyouts, invests in private equity
buyouts and provides capital directly to private and mid-sized public
companies. European Capital invests from euro 5 million to euro 125
million per transaction in equity, mezzanine debt and senior debt to
fund growth, acquisitions and recapitalizations.
Companies interested in learning more about European Capital's
flexible financing should contact Jean Eichenlaub at
+33-(0)-1-40-68-06-66 in Paris, or Nathalie Faure Beaulieu or Simon
Henderson at +44-(0)-20-7539-7000 in London, or visit the website at
http://www.EuropeanCapital.com.
ABOUT AMERICAN CAPITAL
American Capital Strategies Ltd. (Nasdaq: ACAS), an affiliate of
European Capital, is a publicly traded buyout and mezzanine fund with
capital resources of approximately US$7 billion. American Capital
invests in and sponsors management and employee buyouts, invests in
private equity buyouts, provides capital directly to private and
small public companies and through its asset management business is a
manager of debt and equity investments in private companies and
commercial loan obligations. American Capital provides senior debt,
mezzanine debt and equity to fund growth, acquisitions,
recapitalizations and securitizations.
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.
Web site: http://www.EuropeanCapital.com

Contact:

Jean Eichenlaub, Managing Director, +33-(0)-1-40-68-06-66, or Jacques
Pancrazi, Director,
+33-(0)-1-40-68-06-66, both of European Capital Services; or Brian
Maney, Director, Corporate Communications of European Capital,
+1-301-951-6122

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