LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Platinum Equity portfolio company PAE, trusted provider of outsourced solutions for enduring missions of the United States government and international partners for over 60 years, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger with Gores Holdings III, Inc. (NASDAQ CM: GRSH, GRSHU, and GRSHW), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of The Gores Group, LLC. Upon closing, this transaction will introduce PAE as a publicly listed company, with an anticipated initial enterprise value of approximately $1.55 billion or 8.9x the Company’s estimated 2020 pro forma Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $174 million.
The consideration payable to the stockholders of PAE will consist of a combination of cash and shares of Gores Holdings III common stock. In addition to the $400 million of cash held in Gores Holdings III’s trust account, additional investors have committed to participate in the transaction through a $220 million private placement, led by Alec Gores, Chairman and CEO of The Gores Group. Upon completion of the transaction, including the private placement, Platinum Equity and other minority owners of PAE are expected to hold approximately 28 percent of the newly public PAE, subject to various purchase price adjustments.
Founded in 1955, PAE is a leading provider of mission-critical services to the U.S. government, armed forces and international customers, including the U.S. Department of State, Army, Navy, Air Force, NASA and others. Headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, PAE operates in approximately 60 countries across all seven continents.
“Thanks to Platinum Equity and the hard work of our employees around the world, PAE has accomplished a lot over the past three years and is well prepared to take advantage of the opportunities ahead. With this next chapter, we will have the clear ability to accelerate our strategic plan and invest in our continued growth,” said PAE CEO John Heller. “This transaction will strengthen our capacity to deliver the most valuable, innovative services to our customers and expand into new national security markets.”
“John and the management team have been outstanding partners and I’m proud of the work we have done together since acquiring the business in 2016, deploying the full range of Platinum’s tool kit to optimize the performance of the enterprise,” said Platinum Equity Partner Louis Samson, who will become a board member of the publicly traded company. “This transaction combines PAE’s strong track record of successful M&A and a de-levered balance sheet with the public company currency of a newly listed business, which will position the company to participate in the ongoing consolidation taking place in the government services sector. We are excited to participate in the company’s continued value creation through a meaningful remaining equity stake in the business.”
Mark Stone, CEO of Gores Holdings III, said, “PAE is an industry leader given its long history and extensive portfolio of mission-critical services. At Gores, we pride ourselves in maintaining high standards for our investments and this transaction is well aligned with our business objectives. We are excited to partner with the management team and Platinum as we embark on the next chapter. Not only is PAE a differentiated leader, but the overall government services sector continues to experience positive momentum and PAE is well positioned to accelerate its growth and margin expansion.”
Key Transaction Terms
The transaction will be effected pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), entered into by and among Gores Holdings III, Shay Holding Corporation (PAE’s parent) and the other parties thereto. Concurrently with the consummation of the transaction, additional investors will purchase shares of common stock of Gores Holdings III in a private placement. After giving effect to any redemptions by the public stockholders of Gores Holdings III, the balance of the approximately $400 million in cash held in Gores Holdings III’s trust account, together with the $220 million in private placement proceeds, will be used to pay cash consideration to the stockholders of the Company, pay transaction expenses and reduce PAE’s existing indebtedness to 3.4x 2019 estimated Adjusted EBITDA. The remainder of the consideration payable to the stockholders of PAE will consist of shares of Gores Holdings III common stock.
The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both Gores Holdings III and the Company, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020, subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approval, and approval of the stockholders of Gores Holdings III. Upon closing of the transaction, the name of Gores Holdings III will be changed to PAE Incorporated.
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Evercore acted as lead financial advisors to Gores Holdings III. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. also acted as lead capital markets advisor, while Evercore, BofA Securities and Morgan Stanley & Co, LLC acted as capital markets advisors and Moelis & Company LLC as financial advisor. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP acted as legal advisor to Gores Holdings III. Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal advisor to Platinum Equity and PAE.
About PAE
For more than 60 years, PAE has tackled the world’s toughest challenges to deliver agile and steadfast solutions to the U.S. government and its allies. With a global workforce of more than 20,000 on all seven continents and in approximately 60 countries, PAE delivers a broad range of operational support services to meet the critical needs of our clients. Our headquarters is in Falls Church, Virginia. Find us online at pae.com, on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
About Platinum Equity
Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with more than $19 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 40 operating companies that serve customers around the world. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 24 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 250 acquisitions.
About Gores Holdings III, Inc.
Gores Holdings III is a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of The Gores Group, for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Gores Holdings III completed its initial public offering in September 2018, raising approximately $400 million in cash proceeds. Gores Holdings III’s officers and certain of its directors are affiliated with The Gores Group. Founded in 1987 by Alec Gores, The Gores Group is a global investment firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses which can benefit from the firm's operating experience and flexible capital base. Over its 31-year history, The Gores Group has become a leading investor having demonstrated a reliable track record of creating value in its portfolio companies alongside management. Headquartered in Los Angeles, The Gores Group maintains offices in Boulder, CO, and London. For more information, please visit www.gores.com.
