Richelieu Hardware obtains TSX approval for three-for-one split of its outstanding common shares

MONTREAL, Feb. 4, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Richelieu Hardware Ltd. ("Richelieu" or the "Corporation") (TSX: RCH), announced today having obtained approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") regarding the three-for-one split of the Corporation's outstanding common shares (the "Share Split"). The Share Split was initiated by the Corporation's Board of Directors in an effort to improve the liquidity of Richelieu's shares and ensure that such shares remain accessible to individual shareholders. The Share Split will not dilute shareholders' equity and will not have unfavourable tax consequences for shareholders under Canadian tax laws. Shareholders of record at close on Monday, February 29th, 2016 (the "Record Date") will receive two additional common shares of the Corporation for each common share held as of the Record Date.

The TSX has determined that, in connection with the Share Split, the common shares will be traded in accordance with the "due bill" trading procedure. A due bill is an entitlement attached to listed securities undergoing a material corporation action, such as a share split. In this case, anyone purchasing a common share of Richelieu during the period commencing at the opening of business on Thursday, February 25^th, 2016 (i.e., two trading days prior to the Record Date) and ending on the payment date of Wednesday, March 2^nd, 2016, inclusive (the "due bill period"), will receive a payable right. Trades executed during the due bill trading period will be flagged to ensure purchasers receive the entitlement to the additional common shares issuable as a result of the Share Split.

The common shares will commence trading on a "ex-distribution" basis on Thursday, March 3^rd, 2016, as of which date purchases of Richelieu's common shares will no longer have an attaching entitlement.

The due bill redemption date will be Monday, March 7, 2016.

The Corporation having moved to a Direct Registration System (DRS), Richelieu's shareholders, with or without physical share certificates, will not be required to take any action in connection with the Share Split. DRS advices will be sent out to registered shareholders on Wednesday, March 2^nd, 2016, which advices will represent the additional number of common shares that they are receiving as a result of the Share Split. This will allow shareholders to hold their additional common shares in a "book entry" form without having a physical share certificate issued. In addition, Computershare Investors Services Inc., the Company's registrar and transfer agent, will electronically issue the appropriate number of common shares to CDS & Co. and The Depository Trust Company (DTC) for distribution to the non-registered shareholders of Richelieu. The brokerage accounts of beneficial owners should be credited for the additional common shares arising from the Share Split shortly after Wednesday, March 2^nd, 2016 in accordance with the applicable brokerage account providers' usual procedures.

Richelieu's previously declared dividend of $0.16 per share will be paid on a "pre-split" basis on Thursday, February 18^th, 2016 to shareholders of record on Thursday, February 4^th, 2016. Subsequent dividend will reflect the additional number of common shares that will be outstanding after the Share Split. For example, if a "pre-split" dividend of $0.16 per share would be declared after Monday, February, 29^th, 2016, then $0.05333 per share on a "post-split" basis would be payable to Richelieu's shareholders.

About Richelieu Hardware Ltd.

Richelieu is a leading North American distributor, importer and manufacturer of specialty hardware and complementary products. Its products are targeted to an extensive customer base of kitchen and bathroom cabinet, furniture, and window and door manufacturers plus the residential and commercial woodworking industry, as well as a large customer base of hardware retailers, including renovation superstores. Richelieu offers customers a broad mix of high-end products sourced from manufacturers around the world. Its product selection consists of more than 100,000 different items targeted to a base of more than 70,000 customers who are served by 66 centres in North America – 36 distribution centres in Canada, 28 in the United States and two manufacturing plants in Canada, specifically Cedan Industries Inc. which specializes in the manufacture of a wide variety of veneer sheets and edgebanding products and Menuiserie des Pins Ltée which manufactures components for the window and door industry and a broad selection of decorative mouldings.

SOURCE Richelieu Hardware Ltd.

Antoine Auclair, Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, Tel: [phone], www.richelieu.com