WARREN — Universal Truckload Services, Inc. today announced that it will acquire LINC Logistics Company, a leading asset-light provider of custom-developed third-party logistics solutions, in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at approximately $335 million, including the assumption of debt. The combination of Universal and LINC creates one of the largest full-service, asset-light logistics platforms in North America. Universal will issue 0.700 shares of its stock for each of LINC’s outstanding shares, resulting in the total issuance of approximately 14.5 million Universal shares valued at approximately $182 million based on Universal’s closing stock price as of July 25, 2012. The acquisition is expected to be at least 20% accretive to Universal’s 2013 earnings per share.
LINC is a leading asset-light provider of custom-developed third-party logistics solutions that allow its customers and clients to reduce costs and manage their global supply chains more efficiently. LINC primarily provides value-added logistics services to the automotive and manufacturing industries, but also provides dedicated truckload, expedited, and freight forwarding services to customers throughout North America. LINC manages or provides its services at 43 locations throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In the twelve months ended March 31, 2012, LINC generated $301 million of revenue and $49 million of adjusted EBITDA. Based on preliminary estimates for the 13 week period ended June 30, 2012, LINC’s Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve month period ended June 30, 2012 is expected to be between $51.0 million and $51.6 million.
“The combination of Universal and LINC creates one of the largest full-service, asset-light logistics platforms in North America and significantly enhances our long-term growth profile,” said Universal President and Chief Executive Officer Donald Cochran. “We expect that the addition of LINC’s strong business relationships, contractually-based revenue streams, and significant margins will enable us to sell a more comprehensive suite of services to our customers, diversify our business mix, and drive earnings per share growth. We are very excited about the opportunities this transaction will provide Universal going forward.”
LINC President and Chief Executive Officer, H.E. “Scott” Wolfe commented, “LINC is very excited about our new partnership with Universal. We believe that the additional resources we will gain through this combination will enable us to achieve our collective growth goals more expeditiously. We will continue to provide industry-leading service to all of our customers and are excited about the new opportunities that the additional resources of Universal will enable us to provide.”
Matthew Moroun, Chairman of the Board for both Universal and LINC commented, “This combination will accelerate the growth strategies of both companies and maximize value for all shareholders. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the business and we will support the combined management team to the best of our abilities as they focus on building shareholder value through both organic opportunities and acquisitions that complement our expanded platform. Until the closing of this transaction, the management structure of Universal and LINC will remain the same. Following the closing, Scott Wolfe is expected to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of the combined company. Don Cochran is expected remain President of Universal, and is expected to also become the Vice Chairman of the company. David Crittenden is expected to become the Chief Financial Officer of Universal following this transaction. Bob Sigler is expected to become the Executive Vice President of the company. We believe that this management structure will help support the future growth prospects of the company, and provides Universal with a stable succession plan.”
“We believe strongly in the merits of this combination and the prospects for the combined companies,” continued Matthew Moroun. “Although we as a family currently expect to remain controlling shareholders of Universal, we understand that some of our institutional shareholders would prefer additional liquidity, and we may at the appropriate time seek liquidity for a portion of our shares depending on market conditions, investment opportunities, liquidity needs and other factors.”
Closing of this transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including expiration or early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and successful completion of Universal’s new refinancing.
Stifel Nicolaus Weisel is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C. are acting as legal counsel to LINC and the Moroun family. Evercore Partners is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP is acting as legal counsel to the Special Committee of Universal.
