CPE Media News (4/8/2019) – BSM Technologies Inc. (TSX: GPS) has entered into a definitive arrangement agreement with Geotab Inc. pursuant to which 2689285 Ontario Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Geotab, will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of BSM not already owned by Geotab, for cash consideration of CDN $1.40 per BSM share, representing a total equity value of approximately CDN $117.3 million, on a fully-diluted basis.
The arrangement is not conditional on Geotab obtaining financing.
In November 2018, BSM launched BSM illuminate and expanded the relationship with Geotab Inc. with BSM illuminate users having access to Geotab’s MyGeotab® portal using the single sign on (SSO) capabilities of the BSM illuminate platform.
Crescendo Advisors II LLC, the investment manager of Crescendo Partners II L.P., Series R2 and Crescendo Partners III L.P., and PenderFund Capital Management Ltd., which collectively control approximately 20.8% of the BSM shares, have entered into a voting support agreement with Geotab.
DDS Wireless International Inc. together with affiliate Ghai Investments Ltd., BSM largest shareholder jointly owning 12.65% of BSM shares, has yet to enter into a support agreement.
BSM board said it unanimously recommends that BSM shareholders vote “FOR” the arrangement.
Crescendo and its joint actor Jamarant Capital, L.P. started to acquire BSM share since 2016, accumulated with 10.05% of the issued and outstanding common shares in June 2016, successfully installed two Crescendo representatives, and a PenderFund representative to BSM board soon after.
With a combined 21% shareholding, Crescendo and PenderFund control three seats of BSM’s 7-member board.
photo credit: Geotab
News Release
BSM Technologies to be Acquired by Geotab for Cash Consideration of CDN $1.40 per Share
Transaction represents a 58% premium to the 20-day volume weighted average price ending April 5, 2019
Transaction provides immediate liquidity and certainty of value to BSM shareholders
Acquisition will enhance and accelerate BSM’s strategic vision under Geotab’s ownership
Transaction has received unanimous approval by BSM’s Board of Directors
23% of BSM Shareholders have entered into voting support agreements in favour of the transaction
TORONTO, April 8, 2019 /CNW/ – BSM Technologies Inc. (“BSM” or the “Company”) (TSX: GPS), a leading provider of Internet of Things (IoT) enabled telematics and asset management solutions, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive arrangement agreement dated April 7, 2019 (the “Arrangement Agreement”) with Geotab Inc. (“Geotab”) and 2689285 Ontario Inc. (“Geotab Subco”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Geotab, pursuant to which Geotab Subco has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of BSM (the “BSM Shares”) not already owned by Geotab, in exchange for cash consideration of CDN $1.40 per BSM Share (the “Arrangement”). The Arrangement will be completed by way of statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario).
The purchase price of CDN $1.40 per BSM Share represents a total equity value, on a fully-diluted basis, of approximately CDN $117.3 million. The purchase price of CDN $1.40 per BSM Share also represents a premium of approximately 41%, 58%, and 77% to the closing price, 20-day volume weighted average price, and 60-day volume weighted average price, respectively, of BSM Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) as of close of markets on April 5, 2019 (being the last trading day prior to the announcement of the Arrangement).
“This acquisition will allow BSM’s technology and know-how in important verticals like government and rail to be made available through Geotab’s cost effective, reliable, scalable and secured fleet management platform,” stated Neil Cawse, Chief Executive Officer at Geotab. “The government telematics markets are key opportunities for Geotab and the addition of BSM’s existing activity, level of knowledge and experience will not only benefit Geotab’s government customers but also our strong partner ecosystem that is focused on serving this vertical market. Our expanded team will further equip both Geotab and our network of trusted Resellers with the tools necessary for future success in key growth areas including; municipal, state and provincial government and the electric vehicle market.”
“Following the announcement of our expanded partnership with Geotab in late 2018, it became clear that BSM’s growing analytics and optimization capabilities, combined with Geotab’s best in class telematics solution, results in an enhanced product offering to fleet management customers. As part of the Geotab team, we will be able to offer these enhanced capabilities across all of Geotab’s partner network,” said Mr. Louis De Jong, President and Chief Executive Officer of BSM. “Geotab’s all-cash offer not only provides liquidity at a significant premium for BSM shareholders but it is also a great outcome for our employees and our customers.”
Particulars of the Arrangement
Consideration
Under the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, shareholders of BSM (the “BSM Shareholders”), other than Geotab, will be entitled to receive cash consideration of CDN $1.40 per BSM Share following the effective time of the Arrangement. The Arrangement is not conditional on Geotab obtaining financing.
Shareholder Approval
The Arrangement will require the approval of BSM Shareholders at a special meeting expected to take place in May 2019 (the “BSM Meeting”). In order to become effective, the Arrangement must be approved at the BSM Meeting by at least 66⅔ percent of the votes cast by BSM Shareholders. As described below, BSM Shareholders who own or control, directly or indirectly, approximately 23% of the outstanding BSM Shares have entered into a voting support agreement with Geotab to, among other things, vote their BSM Shares in favour of the Arrangement, subject to the provisions thereof.
Both Crescendo Advisors II LLC (“Crescendo Advisors”), the investment manager of Crescendo Partners II L.P., Series R2 and Crescendo Partners III L.P. (collectively, the “Crescendo Funds”) and in such capacity has discretionary investment management authority over the investment portfolio of the Crescendo Funds and has control or direction over the securities held by each of them, together with its joint actors, the Crescendo Funds and Jamarant Capital, L.P. (“Jamarant”), and PenderFund Capital Management Ltd., who collectively own or control, directly or indirectly, approximately 20.8% of the BSM Shares, have entered into a voting support agreement with Geotab to, among other things, vote their BSM Shares in favour of the Arrangement, subject to the provisions thereof. In addition, all of the other directors and senior officers of BSM, who collectively own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over approximately 2.2% of the BSM Shares, have entered into a voting support agreement with Geotab to, among other things, vote their BSM Shares in favour of the Arrangement, subject to the provisions thereof.
Court and Regulatory Approvals
The Arrangement is subject to, among other things, (i) the approval of the TSX, (ii) the approval of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) by way of interim and final orders, and (iii) the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature, including the absence of material adverse changes in the business and affairs of BSM. The Arrangement is expected to close in late Q2 2019.
Board and Special Committee Approval
The board of directors of BSM (the “Board”) established a special committee of the Board (the “Special Committee”), comprised of independent members of the Board, to assist in the evaluation, supervision and negotiation of the Arrangement.
TD Securities Inc. (“TD Securities”) delivered a fairness opinion (the “Fairness Opinion”) to the Special Committee and the Board to the effect that, as of April 7, 2019, the consideration to be received by the BSM Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to such BSM Shareholders. Based on, among other things, the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee and the receipt of the Fairness Opinion, the Board unanimously approved the Arrangement having determined that the Arrangement is in the best interests of BSM and BSM Shareholders.
The full text of the Fairness Opinion, which describes, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, factors considered and limitations and qualifications on the review undertaken, and the terms and conditions of the Arrangement, will be included in the management information circular of BSM in connection with the BSM Meeting, which is expected to be mailed to BSM Shareholders in April or early May 2019.
The Board unanimously recommends that BSM Shareholders vote “FOR” the Arrangement.
Other Terms
The Arrangement Agreement includes representations, warranties and covenants typical of a transaction of this nature, along with customary non-solicitation, right to match, and fiduciary provisions. In addition, BSM has agreed to pay a termination fee of CDN $3.5 million to Geotab if the Arrangement Agreement is terminated in certain circumstances, including if BSM enters into an agreement with respect to a superior proposal or if the Board or Special Committee withdraws its recommendation with respect to the Arrangement.
The Arrangement Agreement, which describes the full particulars of the Arrangement, will be made available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under BSM’s issuer profile.
ASRP Termination
In connection with the announcement of the Arrangement, BSM has terminated its automatic securities repurchase plan (the “ASRP Plan”) with Paradigm Capital Inc., effective immediately. Except for the termination of the ASRP Plan and the obligations contained therein, BSM’s current normal course issuer bid, which is scheduled to terminate on December 26, 2019, will continue upon the same previously- announced terms and conditions.
Advisors
TD Securities Inc. is serving as financial advisor to BSM and Bennett Jones LLP is acting as BSM’s legal advisor.
National Bank Financial Inc. is serving as financial advisor to Geotab and Stikeman Elliott LLP is serving as legal advisor to Geotab.
About Geotab Inc.:
Geotab is advancing security, connecting commercial vehicles to the internet and providing web-based analytics to help customers better manage their fleets. Geotab’s open platform and Geotab Marketplace, offering hundreds of third-party solution options, allows both small and large businesses to automate operations by integrating vehicle data with their other data assets. As an IoT hub, the in-vehicle device provides additional functionality through IOX Add-Ons. Processing billions of data points a day, Geotab leverages data analytics and machine learning to help customers improve productivity, optimize fleets through the reduction of fuel consumption, enhance driver safety, and achieve strong compliance to regulatory changes. Geotab’s products are represented and sold worldwide through Authorized Geotab Resellers. To learn more, please visit www.geotab.com and follow @GEOTAB and on LinkedIn.
About BSM Technologies:
With more than 20 years of experience, BSM Technologies Inc., through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading provider of Internet of Things (IoT) enabled telematics and asset management solutions. Focused on the Government, Service, Rail and Construction markets, BSM provides the technology, tools and services required to connect, analyze and optimize fleets, equipment and people – empowering data- driven operational decision-making. BSM illuminate, BSM’s software platform, enables companies to leverage data insights, analytics and optimization tools for competitive advantage.
For more information, please visit http://www.bsmtechnologies.com. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the information contained in this news release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
These forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which Geotab and BSM operate and beliefs of and assumptions made by Geotab’s and BSM’s management, involve risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict and are not guarantees of future performance, that could significantly affect the financial results of Geotab or BSM. The Arrangement Agreement contains conditions to closing and there is no assurance that these conditions will be fulfilled prior to the outside date provided therein. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that are presented herein, or in response to questions or otherwise, that address activities, events or developments that may occur in the future, including such matters as activities related to BSM’s financial or operational projections, projected synergy, development or operation of new innovative software solutions, and the growth of BSM’s businesses and operations (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases, or the negative variations of those words or other comparable words of a future or forward-looking nature, including, but not limited to, “intends,” “plans,” “will likely,” “unlikely,” “believe,” “expect,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “predict,” “project,” “forecast,” “target,” “potential,” “forecast,” “goal,” “objective,” “guidance” and “outlook”), are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although Geotab and BSM believe that in making any such forward-looking statement, Geotab’s and BSM’s expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such forward-looking statement involves uncertainties and risks that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in or implied by any such forward-looking statement, including but not limited to adverse changes in general economic or market conditions or changes in political conditions or federal, provincial or state laws and regulations and the ability of the parties to achieve all of the conditions to the closing in order to consummate the Arrangement (including obtaining any necessary regulatory approvals and BSM Shareholder approval for the Arrangement). Any forward-looking statement speaks only at the date on which it is made, and except as may be required by law, neither Geotab nor BSM will undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all of them; nor can Geotab or BSM assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
SOURCE BSM Technologies Inc.
For further information: For inquiries, please contact: Louis De Jong, President & CEO, BSM Technologies Inc., (416) 675-1201, louis.dejong@bsmtechnologies.com; Craig MacPhail, Investor Relations, NATIONAL Capital Markets, (416) 586-1938, cmacphail@national.ca