Comtech Telecommunications Corp. and Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. jointly announced that Comtech has agreed to acquire Gilat in a cash and stock transaction for $10.25 per Gilat ordinary share of which 70% will be paid in cash and 30% in Comtech common stock, resulting in an enterprise value of approximately $532.5 million. Founded in 1987 with its headquarters in Israel, Gilat is a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions and services with market leading positions in the satellite ground station and in-flight connectivity solutions markets and deep expertise in operating large network infrastructures.
Based on Comtech's fiscal year 2019 actual results and Gilat's trailing twelve-month results through June 30, 2019, on a pro-forma basis, Comtech would have reported approximately $926.1 million of revenue with Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $130.2 million (see definition and reconciliation to GAAP financial measures in the table below). The combined companies would employ approximately 3,000 people and offer best-in-class satellite technology, public safety and location technology and secure wireless solutions to commercial and government customers around the world.
Fred Kornberg, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Comtech, said, "I am excited to have reached this agreement with Gilat and believe this combination is beneficial to the stakeholders of both companies. The acquisition better positions Comtech to take advantage of key marketplace trends, particularly the growing demand for satellite connectivity and the enormous long-term opportunity set that is emerging in the secure wireless communications market. I believe that the combination of accelerating satellite connectivity demand and the increasing availability of low-cost satellite bandwidth, makes this a perfect time to unify Comtech and Gilat's solutions and offer our combined customers best-in-class platform-agnostic satellite ground station technologies. Gilat is an exceptional business that has developed extraordinary technology and has a well-respected product portfolio supported by strong research and development capabilities. I welcome Gilat's entire talented workforce to the Comtech family."
Dov Baharav, Chairman of the Board of Gilat, said, "The Gilat Board of Directors and management believe this highly strategic combination is compelling. It is an excellent outcome for our shareholders who receive both cash and an equity interest in a strong company with a broader range of products and the benefits of combined expertise and resources that is well positioned to create future value against a highly favorable industry backdrop. I have long admired Comtech's commitment to technology leadership and I firmly believe that employees will have expanded opportunities for career development. No doubt, the future will be very bright for Comtech and Gilat and all of our stakeholders."
Comtech expects to fund the acquisition and related transaction costs by redeploying a portion of the $100.0 million of pro forma combined cash and cash equivalents plus additional cash expected to be generated prior to closing, and by drawing on a new $800.0 million secured credit facility to be provided by Citibank, N.A., Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company ("M&T Bank"), Santander Bank, N.A., BMO Harris Bank, N.A. ("Bank of Montreal"), Regions Bank, Israel Discount Bank of New York and Goldman Sachs Bank USA. Comtech expects that the cash interest rate on this facility will approximate 4.0% to 5.0% on an annual basis, before any origination fees. Furthermore, Comtech expects the terms of the facility will be based on a net leverage ratio providing significant flexibility. The exact terms of the credit facility will be finalized at or prior to the closing of the acquisition.
On a pro forma basis including preliminary estimated combined acquisition plan expenses of approximately $27.0 million, the repayment of Gilat bank debt and funding of Comtech's other pending acquisitions, Comtech would have approximately $45.0 million of unrestricted cash at closing with total net debt of approximately $500.0 million or net leverage of 3.85x. Total net debt is expected to decrease quickly and significantly. Based on expected strong cash flows to be generated from the combined businesses, net leverage twelve months after closing will decrease to approximately 3.00x.
Comtech expects that it will maintain its annual targeted dividend of $0.40 per share.
In connection with the acquisition of Gilat, Comtech expects to incur acquisition plan expenses (including professional fees for financial and legal advisors and debt refinancing costs). Some of these expenses are expected to be immediately expensed both prior to and upon closing, another portion expensed during the first year following the closing and the balance capitalized. Pursuant to accounting rules, the acquisition is expected to result in a material increase in annual amortization expense related to intangibles and other fair value adjustments.