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Hexagon Composites — M&A Activity 2018
Nov 8, 2018
3619_iss_2018-11-08_fab7b7d7-2102-4b1a-8744-55bafcbe4fed.html
M&A Activity
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Hexagon to acquire Agility Fuel Solutions
Hexagon to acquire Agility Fuel Solutions
Hexagon Composites (OSE:HEX) ("Hexagon") has signed an agreement to acquire the
remaining 50% of Agility Fuel Solutions ("Agility"). This investment
strengthens Hexagon's position as the globally leading gas fuel solutions
provider.
"We are really happy to have reached this milestone", says Jon Erik Engeset, CEO
and President of Hexagon. "We believe the timing to be optimal. Fuel price
spreads are back at attractive levels, payback times are favorable, and the
global focus on the environment has never been stronger. Our combined solutions
portfolio and expert teams represent a unique value proposition to the markets."
The increasing alignment of economic and environmental benefits is driving
market adoption of cleaner drivetrain alternatives. Heavy-duty truck, transit
bus and refuse truck fleet owners are acting on their emissions reduction
strategies with greater investment in alternative fuel vehicles and
infrastructure. In turn, vehicle manufacturers are motivated to provide more
offerings, including bio- and natural gas, propane, battery electric and
hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
"Hexagon has been a strong, supportive investor in Agility for the last two
years. We share a common vision, values and strategic goals and look forward to
an exciting future together," stated Kathleen Ligocki, CEO of Agility. "For our
customers, this will provide Agility access to greater global resources and
scale across a broad portfolio of sustainable energy technologies."
Agility Fuel Systems and Hexagon's medium and heavy duty CNG automotive
businesses merged in 2016 to create Agility, resulting in Hexagon owning 50% of
Agility. The companies have delivered more than half a million cylinders and
over forty thousand fuel systems to customers around the globe.
Agility has production facilities in Salisbury, North Carolina, Lincoln,
Nebraska, Fontana, California and Raufoss, Norway with technology centers in
Lincoln, Nebraska, Wixom, Michigan and Kelowna, British Columbia. Agility
maintains sales offices in North America, South America, India, the United
Kingdom and Norway. The Company will report Agility's financial results as a
separate business area, fully consolidated into Hexagon's accounts.
Agility reported revenues of USD 157.3 million (NOK 1.3 billion) in 2017, with
adjusted EBITDA of USD 14.7 (NOK 122) million and reported EBITDA of USD 9.5
(NOK 79) million. The fiscal year 2018 financial results are expected to exceed
those of 2017, with a strong uptick in the second half of 2018. The positive
trajectory is also expected to continue in 2019.
"This acquisition is significantly accretive to our consolidated results and,
accordingly, it should be simpler for investors to value Hexagon," says David
Bandele, CFO of Hexagon.
The transaction values Agility's equity at USD 250 million (NOK 2.1 billion) on
a 100% basis. The signing of the agreement took place on 8 November with closing
expected in January 2019.
The acquisition is fully financed through a secured facility with DNB Bank ASA.
The Company intends, however, to issue an unsecured bond for the long-term
financing of the group and has mandated DNB Markets for this purpose.
The following additional information is provided in accordance with Continuing
Obligations of listed companies section 3.4.2:
1.) Transaction and parties: Hexagon USA Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Hexagon Composites ASA ("Hexagon"), will acquire the remaining
ownership interest of Agility Fuel Solutions Holdings, Inc., parent company of
Agility Fuel Solutions LLC ("Agility") from the Seller, AFS HoldCo LLC. Hexagon
currently holds 50% of the ownership interests in Agility. The transaction is
subject to third party approvals and completion, which are anticipated in
January 2019.
2.) Consideration: Total consideration to be paid by Hexagon for the
remaining interest in Agility is USD 124.2 million (approx. NOK 1.0 billion).
3.) Further description of the companies and transaction: Please refer to
the attachments to this notice, which give the relevant financial information of
Agility. Please also refer to previous quarterly and annual reports and
presentations to the market made by Hexagon where financial information of
Agility has been disclosed. The total number of employees in Agility is 415. The
current board of directors representing Hexagon will continue in their capacity
until further notice. Other existing Board members not representing the Company
will resign upon closing. The current executive management will continue either
in their current or a transitory capacity. For further information on management
and board of directors, visit https://agilityfuelsolutions.com/
4.) Consequences of the transaction: The investment secures Hexagon's
strategic goal to become the leading integrated fuel solutions provider in the
alternative fuel vehicle market, serving the light-, medium- and heavy-duty
segments. In addition to the strengthened strategic impacts disclosed above,
the transaction will trigger a move from the current equity accounting to
consolidation accounting for Agility. This will mean that profit and loss items
previously reported in net terms as share of profit or loss from joint ventures
and associates will, going forward, be reported in gross terms in the Income
Statement. As a result of the transaction, excess value over book value
(including Goodwill) currently estimated to be of the magnitude of NOK 340
million is expected to be recognized on the Statement of Financial Position. A
one-time extraordinary profit currently estimated to be of the magnitude of NOK
80 million, representing the revalued current interest holding in Agility, will
be realized in the Income statement. Final quantification of impacts and
accounting classification will only be available post-closing so these may vary
from the estimates provided. An updated statement, together with pro forma
financial statements of the new entity, will be prepared in time for Hexagon's
Q1 2019 quarterly report and presentation.
5.) Agreements with directors or senior executives in relation to the
transaction: No such agreements with senior employees or members of the board of
directors of Hexagon or Hexagon USA Holdings, Inc., have been entered into in
relation to this transaction. A management retention plan agreement has been
entered into with senior management personnel of Agility to ensure continuity of
key personnel.
For more information:
David Bandele, CFO, Hexagon Composites ASA
Telephone: +47 920 91 483 | [email protected]
Jon Erik Engeset, CEO, Hexagon Composites ASA
Telephone: +47 916 30 550 | [email protected]
Investor Relations:
Hiva Ghiri, VP Investor Relations, Hexagon Composites ASA
Telephone: +47 958 66 790 | [email protected]
Media:
Solveig Saether, Communication Manager, Hexagon Composites ASA
Telephone: +47 906 34 977 | [email protected]
About Agility Fuel Solutions
Agility Fuel Solutions is a leading global provider of clean fuel solutions for
medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Its product offerings include
natural gas, hydrogen, and battery electric energy storage and delivery systems,
Type 4 composite natural gas cylinders, propane and natural gas fuel systems,
and propane dispensers. Agility offers solutions for a variety of vehicle types,
including Class 8 trucks, refuse trucks, transit buses, school buses, concrete
mixers, and delivery trucks. Agility has been manufacturing and servicing safe
and reliable clean fuel solutions for commercial vehicle fleets and OEMs for
more than 20 years, logging billions of kilometers on the road per year.
About Hexagon Composites ASA
Hexagon Composites delivers safe and innovative solutions for a cleaner energy
future. We are adapting our leading composite pressure vessel technology for a
wide range of mobility and storage applications.
For more information, please visit www.hexagon.no
Follow us on Twitter: @HexagonASA
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section
5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.