Gibson Brands Reaches Global Settlement and Files Amended Plan of Reorganization

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Gibson Brands Inc. ("Gibson" or "the Company"), today announced that all of the major stakeholders in the Company's Chapter 11 cases have reached a global settlement with respect to the Company's plan of reorganization, which settlement has been embodied in a newly filed amended plan.

"With the Global Settlement in place, Gibson is on track to complete its restructuring and continue on its journey of crafting the highest quality of musical instruments known worldwide," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gibson Brands. "It is because of the united efforts of all of our stakeholders and their commitment to seek resolution that we expect Gibson can emerge from Chapter 11 during the fourth quarter of this year as a stronger company, focused on its core musical instruments business with essentially no debt."

The Plan has been amended to provide the following, as summarized:

• Agreements by the Company, Ad Hoc Committee of Secured Notes and the Supporting Principals Henry Juszkiewicz and David Berryman with respect to adjustments to the Restructuring Support Agreement to facilitate improved recoveries for unsecured creditors under the amended plan;
• Commitments by GSO Capital Partners LP (GSO), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Philips), and the Committee to support confirmation of the amended plan;
• Suspension of discovery and litigation over the plan and certain asserted claims;
• Settlement of threatened litigation against GSO, the Supporting Principals, and others;
• Agreed allowance and plan treatment for GSO's and Philips' claims against the Company.

Jamie Baird of PJT Partners, speaking at the request of the Ad Hoc Committee of Secured Notes, said "As the future owners of Gibson Brands, we are pleased that the business has performed well throughout the restructuring.  With an anticipated exit from bankruptcy less than one month away, Gibson is poised for growth on strong consumer demand, significant available liquidity, and a debt free balance sheet at emergence.  We look forward to working with the Company's customers, employees, suppliers, vendors, and other partners as Gibson gets back to its roots and its next chapter begins."

When the amended Plan is confirmed and goes effective, Mr. Juszkiewicz will step down from his position as CEO and assume the role of consultant to the Company. Effective today, Brian Fox of Alvarez and Marsal, who has been working with Gibson since August 2017 and has served as Chief Restructuring Officer, will oversee Gibson's daily operations in his role as CRO until a CEO successor is appointed, while Mr. Juszkiewicz takes some time off before starting his consulting role.

Commenting on his transition from CEO to a consultant, Mr. Juszkiewicz said, "I have been honored to lead such a dynamic company in an industry near and dear to my heart.  I am excited about a great future for Gibson and its loyal employees, customers and partners."

The Company will be sending new ballots to and extend the voting deadline for holders of claims in Classes 6 and 8 only.

Additional information is available by calling Gibson's Restructuring Hotline, toll-free in the U.S. at 1-844-240-1258. For calls originating outside the U.S., please dial 1-929-477-8085. Email inquiries can be sent to [email protected].   Copies of the plan and disclosure statement materials and other court filings and documents related to the court proceedings are available on a separate website administered by Gibson's claims agent, Prime Clerk, at https://cases.primeclerk.com/gibson.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our outlook and future financial performance, including the illustrative Adjusted EBITDA range described above. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "should," "will," "may," "would," "contemplates," "aims," "pro forma" and "might," the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events, are based on estimates and assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies. Many important factors could cause actual results or achievements to differ materially from any future results or achievements expressed in or implied by our forward-looking statements, including the factors listed below. Many of the factors that will determine future events or achievements are beyond our ability to control or predict. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to, risks detailed in the Company's posting, dated April 4. 2018, to its intralinks website that may be accessed by certain persons in accordance with the indenture governing the Company's outstanding debt securities.  The forward-looking statements included herein reflect our views and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We assume no responsibility to update any forward-looking statements and we do not currently intend to provide additional guidance in the future.

ABOUT GIBSON
Gibson Brands, one the fastest-growing companies in the music and sound industries, was founded in 1894 and is headquartered in Nashville, TN. Gibson Brands is a global leader in musical instruments, and consumer and professional audio, and is dedicated to bringing the finest experiences by offering exceptional products with world-recognized brands. Gibson has a portfolio of over 100 well-recognized brand names starting with the number one guitar brand, Gibson. Other brands include: Epiphone, Dobro, Valley Arts, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Baldwin, Hamilton, Chickering and Wurlitzer. Audio brands include: KRK Systems, TASCAM, Cerwin-Vega!, Stanton,  Integra, TEAC, TASCAM Professional Software, and Esoteric. All Gibson Brands are dedicated to innovation, prestige and improving the quality of life of our customers.

SOURCE Gibson Brands Inc.