Enghouse to acquire PenderFund backed Espial for $56.5M

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By CPE News

CPE Media News (3/25/2019) – Enghouse Systems Limited (TSX: ENGH) has entered into an arrangement agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Espial Group Inc. (TSX: ESP) at $1.57 per Espial share in cash, valuing Espial’s total equity at approximately $56.5 million.

Shareholders collectively holding 31% of Espial’s issued and outstanding common shares, including all directors and senior officers of Espial, collectively hold approximately 3% of Espial’s issued and outstanding common shares, have entered into agreements to support the transaction.

The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2019.

PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. currently is the largest shareholder holding 18% stake in Espial.

Formerly backed by VenGrowth and Greylock, Espial went public on TSX by way of an initial public offering priced at $7 per share.

Ottawa based Espial provides TV operators with software platform to offer TV & OTT services.

photo credit: Espial

News Release

Enghouse Systems Limited to Acquire Espial Group Inc.

Ottawa and Markham, Ontario – March 25, 2019 – Espial Group Inc. (“Espial” or the “Company”), (TSX: ESP) and Enghouse Systems Limited (TSX: ENGH), jointly announced that they have entered into an arrangement agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) pursuant to which Enghouse has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Espial (the “Espial Shares”) by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “Transaction”).

The Arrangement Agreement

Under the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, each Espial shareholder (a “Shareholder”) will receive cash consideration of C$1.57 for each Espial Share held (the “Consideration”), valuing Espial’s total equity at approximately C$56.5 million. All holders of outstanding stock options of Espial will be entitled to receive the “in-the-money” value of such stock options, less applicable withholdings. The Consideration represents a 39% premium to the closing price of the Espial Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) on March 22, 2019 and a 35% premium to the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Espial Shares over the last 30 trading days.

Benefits to Espial Shareholders

 Immediate and significant premium of approximately 39% to the closing price of the Espial Shares on March 22, 2019, and approximately 35% based on the 30-day VWAP
 All cash offer that is not subject to a financing condition

Independent Committee and Board of Directors Recommendations

An independent committee of Espial’s board of directors (the “Independent Committee”) comprised of Neil McDonnell, Aamir Hussain, Michael Lee and Peter Seeligsohn was constituted to consider the Transaction. The Independent Committee, on behalf of the Espial board of directors, obtained a fairness opinion (the “Fairness Opinion”) from Paradigm Capital Inc. in connection with the Transaction. The Fairness Opinion states that in the opinion of Paradigm Capital Inc., and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth therein, the Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Shareholders.

The board of directors after receiving financial and legal advice, following receipt of the Fairness Opinion, and the recommendation of the Independent Committee, unanimously approved the Transaction and recommend that Shareholders vote in favor of the Transaction.

In addition, Shareholders collectively holding 31% of Espial’s issued and outstanding common shares (including all directors and senior officers of Espial, collectively hold approximately 3% of Espial’s issued and outstanding common shares) have entered into agreements to support the Transaction and vote their Espial Shares in favor of the Transaction.

Transaction Conditions and Timing

The Transaction will be implemented by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act and will require the approval of: (i) 66 2/3% of the votes cast by the holders of Espial’s common shares; and (ii) a simple majority of the votes cast by shareholders whose votes are required to be excluded in determining such approval in accordance with Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. Closing of the Transaction is also subject to certain other closing conditions, including court approval and certain third-party consents.

The completion of the Transaction will also be subject to obtaining required court and other approvals and satisfaction of closing conditions customary for a transaction of this nature. The Arrangement Agreement provides for customary deal protection provisions, including a non-solicitation covenant on the part of Espial and a right for Enghouse to match any Superior Proposal (as defined in the Arrangement Agreement). The Arrangement Agreement includes a termination fee of C$2.0 million, payable by Espial, under certain circumstances (including if the Arrangement Agreement is terminated in connection with Espial pursuing a Superior Proposal).

It is anticipated that the special meeting of Espial shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) to consider the Transaction will be held in May 2019. The effect of Shareholders voting for the resolution to approve the plan of arrangement and it becoming effective will be the cancellation of the Espial Shares from trading on the TSX following closing of the Transaction. The Transaction is expected to close in the calendar second quarter of 2019.

Additional Information about the Proposed Transaction

Copies of the Fairness Opinion and a description of the various factors considered by the board of directors of the Company in its determination to approve the Transaction, as well as other relevant background information, will be included in the management information circular to be sent to the Company’s shareholders at least 21 days in advance of the Special Meeting. The management information circular, the Arrangement Agreement, the plan of arrangement and certain related documents will be filed with the Canadian securities regulators and will be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Espial

Espial is a public software company, established in 1997 and headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. Espial solutions are used by over 100 video service providers and device manufacturers across US, Canada, Europe & Asia. Espial’s solution portfolio includes client, server and cloud software products along with system integration services to help service providers launch next generation video offerings. Espial’s customers have deployed over 50 million devices, and are serviced through Espial’s global sales, support, and innovation centers. Espial has partnered with leading companies like Netflix, Amazon and Google among others for its Elevate SaaS solution, which is powers cable, IPTV & App-based IP video services for over 30 video service providers. For more information on Espial’s solutions, visit www.Espial.com. For more information about Espial Elevate cloud IPTV platform, visit www.Espial.com/elevate.

About Enghouse

Enghouse Systems Limited is a leading global provider of enterprise software solutions serving a variety of vertical markets. Its strategy is to build a more diverse enterprise software company through strategic acquisitions and managed growth within its business sectors: Contact Center, Networks (OSS/BSS) and Transportation/Public Safety. Enghouse shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:ENGH). Further information about Enghouse is available at www.enghouse.com.

For inquiries from the financial press or analysts, contact:

Sam Anidjar
Vice President, Corporate Development
Enghouse Systems Limited
905-946-3300
investor@enghouse.com

Carl Smith
Chief Financial Officer
Espial Group Inc.
613-230-4770 x1127