MasTec to Acquire Precision Pipeline LLC
MasTec, Inc. (NYSE: MTZ) recently announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Precision Pipeline LLC, a leading natural gas, crude oil and refined products transmission pipeline infrastructure services provider in North America for a purchase consideration of $150 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments and an earnout. The transaction is contingent on financing
availability on terms and conditions acceptable to MasTec, in its sole discretion, and there is no break-up fee if such financing is not available.
Based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Precision is a leading energy infrastructure services provider, specializing in the construction and maintenance of large diameter pipelines. Precision’s experience in the long-haul, interstate pipeline industry will complement MasTec’s existing energy infrastructure
service offerings, which include natural gas gathering systems, processing plants and compression stations and mid-stream pipelines. Precision employs a team of highly-skilled unionized workers and tradesmen which it deploys throughout North America and utilizes a significant pool of specialized
pipeline construction equipment. With the acquisition of Precision, MasTec will become one of the leading pipeline contractors in the country, capable of providing a full array of construction services to oil and gas producers, as well as mid-stream and interstate pipeline operators.
Precision has experienced significant growth over the past several years. Precision generated $303 million of revenue and $37 million in EBITDA in 2007 and $507 million of revenue and $93 million in EBITDA in 2008. For the full year of 2009, Precision estimates revenue of slightly less than $300 million and EBITDA of about $60 million. The reduction in earnings in 2009 as compared to 2008 is primarily due to lower revenue as the result of a softer natural gas and petroleum pipeline construction market amidst a global economic downturn. Precision had over $500 million in backlog as of September 30, 2009. The acquisition is expected to be accretive for MasTec in 2010 by
at least $0.08 earnings per share, before amortization of acquisition-related intangibles.
Jose Mas, MasTec’s President and CEO noted, “We are very pleased with the acquisition of Precision. The Company has an excellent and motivated management team that will remain in place to continue its growth. With the acquisition of Precision, we will significantly expand our capabilities in the
natural gas, crude oil and refined petroleum product pipeline industries, which we believe will be solid areas of growth for years to come. Over the last few years, we have invested heavily in positioning MasTec in industries that we believe will have significant growth opportunities. This acquisition
complements our recent growth in renewables, electric transmission line construction and wireless infrastructure services.”
Mr. Mas concluded, “MasTec continues to generate significant cash flow from its existing operations and management is often asked about our expected uses of the cash flow. We believe the acquisition of a well managed company with a proven track record, strong management team, and solid backlog that exposes MasTec to new geographies, customers and service offerings at an attractive multiple is one of the best ways to deploy capital and increase shareholder value.”
MasTec believes that U.S. energy policy goals will continue to favor clean, domestic sources of energy and the Company expects to be a leading player in that effort in both renewable energy and natural gas pipeline construction. With recent developments in drilling and completion technologies for oil and
gas, particularly the new shale gas fields, MasTec expects new production fields to be developed and old fields to be expanded significantly. MasTec expects that the resulting incremental production will provide continuing construction opportunities as oil and gas producers and pipeline operators
move this oil, gas and refined products to markets via pipelines. With oil prices currently close to $80 per barrel and natural gas futures prices improving, MasTec believes that this market will continue to grow with excellent margin opportunities. As evidence of this expected growth, as of October 15, 2009, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had over 5,000 miles of pending major pipeline projects on file.
Bob Campbell, MasTec’s Executive Vice President of Finance and CFO, noted, “Our purchase agreement includes a requirement to obtain at least $75 million in financing and we are currently reviewing our financing options. Our current capital structure, liquidity and cash flows are all in excellent shape today which enables us to do this very attractive acquisition. MasTec’s
liquidity as of September 30, 2009 was $183 million, with liquidity defined as cash plus availability on its senior credit facility. Cash flow from operations for September year-to-date 2009 was $86 million which was double the cash flow for the same period last year.”
