DALLAS and LINDON, Utah - CECO Environmental Corp. (NASDAQ:CECO), a diversified industrial company with a focus on environmental solutions, has announced the acquisition of Profire Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:PFIE), a technology company specializing in burner management and combustion control systems. The all-cash transaction is valued at approximately $125 million in equity value, with Profire's enterprise value estimated at about $108 million.
Under the terms of the agreement, CECO will commence a tender offer to purchase all issued and outstanding shares of Profire common stock at $2.55 per share. This price reflects a 46.5% premium over Profire’s closing share price as of October 25, 2024. The tender offer is expected to remain open for 20 business days from its commencement, subject to certain conditions.
The transaction has received unanimous approval from Profire’s Board of Directors and is contingent upon a majority of Profire’s shares being tendered and the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Following the completion of the tender offer, CECO plans to acquire any remaining shares through a merger, with Profire continuing as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CECO. The transaction is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2025.
CECO's CEO, Todd Gleason, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, citing the potential for global market expansion and the introduction of high-efficiency solutions to a broader customer base. Profire’s leadership also conveyed optimism, highlighting the transaction's alignment with their strategic growth and the value it represents for stakeholders.
Profire, recognized for its leadership in burner management technology, has projected its 2024 sales to exceed $60 million with adjusted EBITDA margins around 20 percent. The acquisition is expected to enhance CECO's position as a leading provider of environmental solutions in industrial markets and deliver cost synergies through the integration of both companies' global operations and customer relationships.
CECO will host its Quarterly Earnings call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to provide further commentary regarding the transaction. The acquisition is based on a definitive agreement and the information is derived from a press release statement.
In other recent news, CECO Environmental Corp. has made noteworthy strides in its financial performance. The company's second-quarter results showed a 6% year-over-year increase in revenue, along with a near-record gross margin. Furthermore, CECO Environmental's EBITDA and earnings per share (EPS) demonstrated substantial growth, increasing by 17% and 38% respectively. The company's backlog currently stands at $390.9 million, indicating a promising business trajectory.
CECO Environmental has expanded its credit facility to $400 million, a significant increase from the previous $246 million, with an option to further augment the facility by an additional $125 million. This expansion aims to finance organic and inorganic growth opportunities and extend its global market reach. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC), BofA Securities, TD Securities, and others serve as agents for the credit facility.
Analyst firms Craig-Hallum and H.C. Wainwright have both raised their price targets for CECO Environmental, reflecting their confidence in the company's ongoing transformation and strong financial performance. The company has also updated its 2024 guidance, expecting sales between $600 million and $620 million, and adjusted EBITDA ranging from $68 million to $72 million.
Finally, CECO Environmental has been proactive in its mergers and acquisitions strategy, which includes the recent acquisition of EnviroCare International. These recent developments underscore the company's commitment to financial growth and robust performance.
InvestingPro Insights
CECO Environmental Corp.'s acquisition of Profire Energy, Inc. aligns with the company's growth strategy and financial performance. According to InvestingPro data, CECO has demonstrated strong revenue growth, with a 21.52% increase in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, reaching $566.96 million. This acquisition is likely to further boost CECO's revenue and market position.
The company's EBITDA growth of 40.58% in the same period suggests improving operational efficiency, which could be enhanced by the synergies expected from the Profire acquisition. CECO's current market capitalization of $919.81 million reflects investor confidence in its expansion strategy.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that CECO has shown a high return over the last year, with a one-year price total return of 68.01%. This performance indicates that the market has been responding positively to CECO's strategic moves. Additionally, analysts predict the company will be profitable this year, which supports the rationale behind this acquisition.
It's worth noting that CECO operates with a moderate level of debt, which could provide flexibility for financing this and future acquisitions. For investors interested in a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers 8 additional tips that could provide further insights into CECO's financial health and growth prospects.
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