Orbital Energy Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: OEG) (“OEG”) today announced it has acquired 100% of Front Line Power Construction LLC (“Front Line,” “FLP,” or “Company”), a Houston-based full-service electrical infrastructure service company that has provided construction, maintenance, and emergency response services for customers since 2010.
The transaction will be immediately accretive to earnings and cash flow and add significant scale to OEG. Combined company revenue for 2022 is expected to exceed $300.0 million.
Approximately 90% of FLP’s revenues are under multi-year agreements with electric utility and telecommunication customers providing an attractive recurring revenue base and exposure to large secular growth markets.
FLP specializes in installing and maintaining electrical distribution systems and substation infrastructure throughout Texas. The Company serves investor owned utilities, electric cooperatives, telecommunications, and industry customers and has more than 200 employees.
Front Line will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of OEG. The senior management team, including CEO & Founder, Kurt Johnson, will remain with the company. OEG expects no organizational changes to FLP’s successful, long-term operations.
“Front Line Power is the ideal acquisition to serve as our electric power infrastructure platform and to profitably build revenues both organically and through synergistic acquisitions going forward. Further, it enhances OEG’s transformation into a full-service energy infrastructure services platform,” stated Jim O’Neil, OEG’s Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman. “FLP’s remarkable growth is a testament to its ability to proactively provide customers with a comprehensive range of solutions in a market that has significant momentum driven by aging infrastructure, a transition to renewable generation, and in a state, Texas, that has experienced significant population growth.”
The Membership Unit Purchase Agreement calls for purchase of the outstanding membership interest in FLP for a gross purchase price of $218.4 million. The purchase is being funded by a $105.0 million 5-year Term Loan, 2-year restricted shares of OEG common stock, and an approximate $85.0 million Promissory Note held by the Sellers.
The term loan is being provided by a consortium of Irradiant Partners, Angelo Gordon, and Barings. Orbital Energy Group was advised by Piper Sandler & Co. FLP was advised and represented in this transaction by Romanchuk & Co.
“Of the many acquisitions in which I have been directly involved in this industry during my career, this transaction with Front Line Power ranks as one of the best. Kurt’s leadership style and core values, strategic mindset, and care for his employees and customers coupled with the outstanding job he has done building Front Line Power is highly valued by myself and my board of directors,” O’Neil continued. “I look forward to working with Kurt to advance OEG, through its new electric power infrastructure platform, Front Line, to expand our service offerings, geographic footprint, and customer base, and to create shareholder value for years to come.”“Front Line has reached a level where it is important for me to partner with OEG and a proven industry leader like Jim O’Neil to provide long term opportunities for my employees as well as enable us to meet the increasing demands of our customers,” explained FLP’s Founder & CEO, Kurt Johnson. “As OEG’s electrical power platform, I look forward to teaming with Jim, who shares my values and vision, to take our company to the next level.”
Mr. O’Neil will provide additional comments about the acquisition during his presentation at the Three Part Advisors IDEAS Conference on Thursday, November 18 at 2:30 PM EST. A link to the webcast, along with an Announcement Presentation prepared by the company, will be available through the “Events and Presentations” section of the company’s investor relations website or through the IDEAS Conference website.