Livingston International Income Fund agrees to be acquired by CPP Investment
Board and Sterling Partners
The transaction price represents a premium of 29% based on the volume weighted average price of the units over the 30 trading days ended
"This transaction delivers significant value and liquidity to our unitholders," said
Said
Rick Elfman, Senior Managing Director for Sterling Partners, added, "Livingston is a strong business with an advanced technology platform and a reputation for superior client service. With the operational expertise and access to capital provided by the Consortium, Livingston will be well-positioned for continued growth and future success."
The transaction is subject to the approval of two-thirds of Livingston's unitholders at a special meeting anticipated to be held in the second half of
Livingston's financial advisor, Scotia Capital Inc., has provided an opinion to Livingston's Board of Trustees that the consideration payable under the transaction is fair from a financial point of view to Livingston's unitholders. Livingston's Board of Trustees and senior executive officers have indicated their intention to vote their units in favour of this transaction.
The support agreement entered into between Livingston and the Consortium provides for, among others, a non-solicitation covenant on the part of Livingston, subject to customary "fiduciary out" provisions, which entitle Livingston to consider and accept a superior proposal, subject to the right of the Consortium to match the superior proposal and the payment to the Consortium of a break-up fee of
Further details of the transaction will be included in a proxy circular to be mailed to unitholders in due course. The full acquisition agreement will be filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and will also be available from the Investor Relations section of Livingston's web site at www.livingstonintl.com.
Livingston's financial advisor is Scotia Capital Inc. and its legal counsel is Stikeman Elliott LLP. The Consortium's financial advisors are CIBC World Markets Inc. and RBC Capital Markets, and its legal counsel is Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP.
Unitholders should consult their own investment advisors with respect to the proposed transaction, details of which will be contained in the proxy circular to be mailed to unitholders in due course. Unitholders that are not, and are not deemed to be, resident in
Conference call
Livingston CEO Peter Luit and CFO Chris McMullen will host a conference call and webcast to discuss this potential acquisition on
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements in this release may be considered forward-looking statements, which reflect the board and management's current beliefs and expectations and which involve assumptions about expected future events or results that are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is significant risk that assumptions and other forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate. Many factors could cause actual future results, conditions or events to differ materially from the results or outcomes expressed, including risks related to trade volumes, deterioration of economic conditions, currency and interest-rate volatility, the ability to meet credit facility covenants and borrowing limits, the continued availability of credit facilities and bonds, pandemics and regulatory change, among others. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the acquisition agreement will receive all necessary consents and approvals and that the proposed transaction will materialize. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on assumptions or forward-looking statements.
About Livingston
Livingston International Income Fund is a trust that holds the securities of Livingston International Inc., a leading North American provider of customs, transportation and integrated logistics services. Headquartered in
About CPP Investment Board
The CPP Investment Board is a professional investment management organization that invests the funds not needed by the
About Sterling Partners
Sterling Partners is a private equity firm with a 25-year history of generating superior returns, with a focus on business services, health care and education. With approximately US$4 billion of capital under management, the firm invests in industries with positive, long-term trends and provides ongoing support with a diverse and balanced team of industry veterans, operators, investors, strategy experts and human capital professionals. Sterling Partners is co-headquartered in
For further information: Livingston International Inc.: Dawneen MacKenzie, 1-800-387-7582 ext. 3109, [email protected]; CPP Investment Board: May Chong, (416) 868-8657, [email protected]
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