Saviour offers Merisel chance to erase debts

An investment firm has given troubled distributor Merisel a $152 million lifeline by offering to buy 70 per cent of the company?s stock.

The value of the offer, from Stonington Partners of New York, equals Merisel?s operating debt. It would leave the distributor in a stronger position than other restructuring plans because current shareholders could keep their entire 30 per cent stake in the company.

Merisel chief executive Dwight Steffensen was pleased with Stonington?s proposal, which would wipe out almost $150 million of company debt.

Stonington clearly has sufficient confidence in Merisel to risk taking on a large investment in the wholesaler, said analysts.

A series of shocking financial results forced Merisel to retrench into its native US in September 1996, when it sold its European and South American businesses to CHS Electronics.