Emerging Vision Obtains $6 Million Credit Facility; Finalizes Acquisition of The Optical Group.GARDEN CITY, N.Y. -- Emerging Vision, Inc. ("EVI Evi (ē`vī), in the Bible, Midianite king. " or the "Company") (OTCBB OTCBB See OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB). : ISEE ISEE - Integrated Software Engineering Environment - equivalent to SEE. ) (www.emergingvision.com), a leading provider of eye care products and services, and one of the largest franchised optical chains in the United States, today announced that the Company has obtained a revolving credit Revolving Credit A line of credit where the customer pays a commitment fee and is then allowed to use the funds when they are needed. It is usually used for operating purposes, fluctuating each month depending on the customers current cash flow needs. facility providing for aggregate borrowings of up to $6 million with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Corporation ("M&T). The credit facility, which replaces the Company's previous revolving line with M&T (which was $2 million), matures in August 2009 and will accrue interest at the variable rate of LIBOR LIBOR See: London Interbank Offered Rate LIBOR See London interbank offered rate (LIBOR). plus 2.75%. In addition, in connection with obtaining the revolving line with M&T, the Company finalized its acquisition of The Optical Group and its affiliate (collectively, "TOG"), one of the leading optical group purchasing organizations in Canada, for $3.8 million CAD (approximately $3.6 million USD USD In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the U.S. Dollar. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. ) in cash. Among the other assets other assets Assets of relatively small value. For financial reporting purposes, firms frequently combine small assets into a single category rather than listing each item separately. and liabilities included in this acquisition, the Company acquired the accounts receivable accounts receivable n. the amounts of money due or owed to a business or professional by customers or clients. Generally, accounts receivable refers to the total amount due and is considered in calculating the value of a business or the business' problems in paying of TOG, and assumed certain accounts payable of TOG, effective as of July 1, 2007. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2007, TOG had unaudited revenues of approximately $41 million CAD (approximately $36 million USD). TOG currently has approximately 525 active members in its optical group purchasing business. Christopher Payan, Chief Executive Officer of Emerging Vision, commented, "We are pleased to be continuing our relationship with M&T Bank. Obtaining the increased revolving credit facility, particularly in the current lending environment, is a testimony to the renewed strength of our operations and the great strides we have made over the past few years. This funding will enable us to continue to execute our business strategy, as we look to diversify through future growth opportunities, and continue to build value for our shareholders." Mr. Payan continued: "We are extremely excited about the acquisition of The Optical Group and the current and future benefits it will contribute toward the continued growth of our organization. Aside from the positive financial impact this acquisition is expected to have on the Company, in both significantly increasing our revenues and having an accretive effect on earnings, I am particularly pleased that we were successful in financing this acquisition solely through the use of debt, thus preventing any dilutive effect Dilutive effect Result of a transaction that decreases earnings per common share (EPS). on our shares. I and my management team remain committed to continue delivering value in the future." The Company anticipates filing a Current Report on Form 8-K in early September where more complete financial details and pro forma information on the acquired entities, including the effect on earnings, will be disclosed. About Emerging Vision Emerging Vision, Inc. is a leading provider of eye care products and services and currently operates one of the largest franchised optical chains in the United States. Principally under the Sterling Optical and Site for Sore Eyes brands, the Company has 160 franchised and company-owned stores located across 15 states, the District of Columbia District of Columbia, federal district (2000 pop. 572,059, a 5.7% decrease in population since the 1990 census), 69 sq mi (179 sq km), on the east bank of the Potomac River, coextensive with the city of Washington, D.C. (the capital of the United States). , Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Most of the Company's stores offer prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses eyeglasses or spectacles, instrument or device for aiding and correcting defective sight. Eyeglasses usually consist of a pair of lenses mounted in a frame to hold them in position before the eyes. , eyeglass eye·glass n. 1. eyeglasses Glasses for the eyes. 2. A single lens in a pair of glasses; a monocle. 3. See eyepiece. 4. See eyecup. frames, ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses, sunglasses, and a range of ancillary items. Additionally, the Company operates Combine Buying Group, Inc., one of the leading optical purchasing groups in the United States and OG Acquisition, Inc. (d/b/a The Optical Group), one of the leading optical purchasing groups in Canada, which provide their members with vendor discounts on optical products. The Company also operates VisionCare of California (d/b/a Sterling VisionCare), a specialized health care maintenance organization that employs licensed optometrists to provide services for stores located in California. For more information, visit Emerging Vision's website at www.emergingvision.com. Certain statements made in this news release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors are discussed in detail in Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. Given these uncertainties, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to announce publicly the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K or this news release except as required by law. |
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