Bushnell To Acquire C'eb'e

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Bushnell To Acquire C'eb'e

5/12/09

Overland Park, Kansas- MidOcean Partners, a leading middle market private equity firm, and Bushnell Outdoor Products, the worldwide leader in sports optics, premium eyewear, and outdoor accessories for over 60 years, announced today that Bushnell has acquired the C'eb'e brand from Marcolin S.p.A., one of the leading players in the eyewear industry, listed on the Milan Stock Exchange . The terms of the purchase agreement were not disclosed.

Founded in 1892, C'eb'e has a proud tradition of producing high quality optical frames, sport performance sunglasses, ski goggles and helmets.

Olivier Ciaravino, Vice President and Managing Director Europe of Bushnell Outdoor Products, said, "C'eb'e provides us with an excellent opportunity to differentiate our product lines and distribution channels in order to expand the Bushnell family of eyewear. C'eb'e will be a nice complement to our Bolle' and Serengeti' brands. With its focus on the winter sport market as well as running and biking, C'eb'e will only strengthen and broaden our opportunities for growth."

David Basto, a Managing Director at MidOcean Partners, stated, "Our Bushnell European subsidiary has enjoyed a steady growth in sales and eyewear market share. The acquisition of C'eb'e will strengthen our capabilities to market, promote and expand these product lines. Their core values of satisfying the needs of sportsmen and women, providing protection against the elements and the mission to create innovate and evolve fits in well with what we are trying to accomplish."

The parties signed a definitive purchase agreement and the transaction closed on May 12,
2009.

This marks the ninth acquisition Bushnell has made since 2000. Over the past year, Bushnell has acquired Simmons Optics and Millett Industries as part of its stated goal of growth through acquisition.

Bushnell Outdoor Products is a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer products based in Overland Park, Kansas. Bushnell Outdoor Products sells its products worldwide under the Bushnell, Tasco, Serengeti', Bolle', Uncle Mike's Law Enforcement, Stoney Point, Hoppe's, Butler Creek, Kolpin, Uncle Mike's, Millett, Simmons and Final Approach brand names. For information about any of these brands or products, please contact Bushnell Public Relations at (913) 752-6105.

MidOcean Partners is a premier private equity firm focused on the middle market. MidOcean is committed to investing in high quality companies with stable market positions and multiple opportunities for growth. MidOcean utilizes a broad foundation of expertise in its focus industries and its transatlantic platform to create value for its investors and partners. For more information about MidOcean Partners, please visit www.midoceanpartners.com.

Contact:
Jen Messelt - Bushnell Outdoor Products (913) 752-6105 / jmesselt@bushnell.com

Chris Tofalli - for MidOcean Partner (914) 834-4334