Telular Corporation, a global leader in connecting businesses and machines over wireless networks, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement to acquire SkyBitz, Inc.- the leading provider of mobile resource management ("MRM") solutions focusing on tracking and management of truck trailers, intermodal containers, sea-going containers, rail cars, power generators and rental equipment. The acquisition expands Telular’s position in the M2M space as a result of SkyBitz’s broad base of additional customers and proprietary SAAS technology platform. The combined companies will create the largest "pure player" asset tracking and management company in the world.
SkyBitz’s unique Global Locating System (GLS) satellite-based technology provides real-time visibility of many asset types. SkyBitz addresses a multi-billion dollar market opportunity by reducing operating costs, increasing efficiency and aiding in the compliance with regulatory requirements across an increasingly complex set of supply chains and business ecosystems.
Transaction terms include a purchase price of $42 million, comprised of $35 million in cash and $7 million in newly issued shares of common stock. The cash portion will be financed with a $30 million five-year bank loan and cash on hand. The acquisition is subject to the approval of a communications license transfer by the FCC, and is expected to close in 60-90 days.
For the current fiscal year ending December 31, SkyBitz expects to record $35 million of revenue, of which 45 percent will be derived from recurring monitoring services, and net income before non-cash items of approximately $5.0 million. Further, by the end of their calendar fiscal year, SkyBitz expects to be tracking and managing approximately 190,000 assets, a net increase of approximately 11 percent over the end of the prior year.
The expected impact on Telular’s projected 2012 results as previously announced is dependent upon the actual closing date of the transaction, and will be provided at that time. However, Telular does expect the acquisition to be accretive to its 2012 non-GAAP measure of net income before non-cash items.
"I am very excited about the acquisition of SkyBitz as it gives us the leading position in an adjacent M2M vertical market, provides immediate incremental cash flow and builds upon our stream of high-margin, recurring service revenues," said Joseph Beatty, president and chief executive officer of Telular Corporation. "SkyBitz’s management approach and growth objectives fit very well with Telular’s strategy and include growing its installed base of units, enhancing its international presence, and entering new vertical markets related to asset tracking. Combined with Telular’s existing portfolio of Telguard and TankLink services, we can address a much larger market opportunity and expand our technology base with satellite communications capabilities that will complement our historical expertise in cellular communications. We believe that this acquisition will help us accelerate our growth and profitability in the wireless space while maintaining a strong financial position and staunchly supporting a tangible return to our shareholders in the form of a quarterly dividend."
Dr. Homaira Akbari, president and chief executive officer of SkyBitz, brings 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, product development, consulting and operations, and plans to remain with the combined company as president of SkyBitz. In addition, SkyBitz’s experienced management team is expected to stay in its entirety to help grow the asset tracking business and continue developing related, add-on services in the areas of cargo security, cargo status monitoring, preventative maintenance and other applications which will be soon announced. SkyBitz’s employees will continue to work from their offices in the Washington, DC metropolitan area under the direction of Dr. Akbari.
"SkyBitz’s technology platform is the industry’s best-in-breed; providing a powerful, highly reliable solution that is complementary to Telular’s existing portfolio of M2M solutions," explained Dr. Akbari. "As the market leader in asset tracking, we have developed cutting-edge SAAS solutions that are well suited to serve many industries, including government, due to the patented way in which we use GPS signals to determine the location of critical assets. My team and I look forward to continued, profitable growth as part of the Telular family of wireless solutions."
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. is serving as the exclusive financial advisor to SkyBitz.
