BOUCHERVILLE, Quebec -- Uni-Select Inc. has made an offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Uni-Select USA Inc.

Uni-Select Inc. is currently the holder of 87 percent of the outstanding shares of Uni-Select USA. The offer provides cash payment of the purchase price and is extended to all shareholders of Uni-Select USA. The offer to purchase the shares will expire at 5 p.m. (CDT) on Thursday, Oct. 1 (unless otherwise extended).

In the event that, subsequent to the offer, Uni-Select becomes the holder of more than 90 percent of the stock of Uni-Select USA, it will buy out all remaining minority shareholders subject to applicable Delaware Statutes.

Members of the Buzzard family, which are 10 percent shareholders of Uni-Select USA, have indicated that they will tender their shares and accept the offer. However, Clay Buzzard, a director, remains a significant shareholder of Uni-Select Inc.

Full ownership of Uni-Select USA will allow Uni-Select greater flexibility in financial and administrative functions, said the company.