AirBoss Announces Intention to Renew Normal Course Issuer Bid

Rhea-AI Summary

AirBoss of America has announced a renewed normal course issuer bid (NCIB) to repurchase up to 500,000 common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) starting December 6, 2021, until December 5, 2022. The company aims to purchase these shares as it believes their market prices may not reflect the underlying value of the business. The maximum daily purchases allowed is 35,982 shares, and all shares acquired will be canceled. The previous bid, which expired on November 29, 2021, saw no shares repurchased to date.

Positive

• Renewed normal course issuer bid may enhance shareholder value.
• Plan to repurchase up to 500,000 shares potentially increases equity interest for remaining shareholders.

Negative

• Previous bid expired with no shares purchased, indicating lack of market confidence.

NEWMARKET, Ontario, Dec. 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AirBoss of America Corp. (the "Company") (TSX:BOS) announced today that the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") has accepted its Notice of Intention to renew its normal course issuer bid for its common shares (the "Bid").   Purchases made pursuant to the Bid will be made in the open market through the facilities of the TSX and alternative Canadian trading systems, if eligible, in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.

For its current Bid that expired on November 29, 2021, the Company previously sought and received approval from the TSX to repurchase up to 500,000 common shares. The Company has not purchased common shares for cancellation to date over the course of the current Bid.

Pursuant to the renewed Bid, the Company may re-purchase up to 500,000 of its common shares (representing approximately 1.9% of the Company's public float of 26,993,181 common shares as of November 29, 2021). The renewed Bid will commence on December 6, 2021 and remain in effect until the earlier of December 5, 2022, the termination of the Bid by the Company or the Company purchasing the maximum number of common shares permitted under the Bid. As of November 29, 2021, the Company had 26,993,181 common shares issued and outstanding.

Subject to the Company's ability to make "block" purchases through the facilities of the TSX, the maximum number of common shares that the Company may purchase on any trading day is 35,982 common shares (representing 25% of 143,931, being the average daily trading volume of the Company's shares on the TSX in the six month period prior to the Bid). The price paid for any common shares acquired by the Company will be the market price of the shares at the time of acquisition. The Company intends to fund the repurchases under the Bid out of its available cash. All common shares acquired by the Company under the Bid will be cancelled.

Purchases pursuant to the bid will be conducted by a broker engaged by the Company to make purchases under the Bid in accordance with the applicable policies of the TSX. The Company has entered into an "automatic share purchase plan" to facilitate the repurchase of common shares under the Bid through the designated broker. Pursuant to the automatic share purchase plan, the broker will be permitted to repurchase common shares under the Bid at times when AirBoss is subject to a self-imposed blackout period, pursuant to instructions provided in advance of such blackout periods. The automatic share purchase plan complies with, and has been adopted in accordance with, the requirements of applicable Canadian securities laws.

The Company is making the Bid because it believes that, from time to time, the market prices of its common shares may not fully reflect the underlying value of the Company’s business and its future business prospects. As a result, depending upon future price movements and other factors, the Company believes that its outstanding common shares may represent an attractive investment for the Company. Such purchases are expected to benefit all remaining shareholders by increasing their equity interest in the Company.

AirBoss of America is a leading and diversified developer, manufacturer and provider of innovative survivability solutions, advanced custom rubber compounds and finished rubber products that are designed to outperform in the most challenging environments. Founded in 1989, the company operates through three divisions. AirBoss Defense Group is a global leader in personal and respiratory protective equipment and technology for the defense, healthcare, medical and first responder communities. AirBoss Rubber Solutions is a top-tier North American custom rubber compounder with 500 million turn pounds of annual capacity. AirBoss Engineered Products is a supplier of innovative anti-vibration solutions to the North American automotive market and other sectors. The Company’s shares trade on the TSX under the symbol BOS and on the OTCQX under the symbol ABSSF. Visit www.airboss.com or www.adg.com for more information.

Contact: Chris Bitsakakis, President or Gren Schoch, Chairman and CEO at 905-751-1188.

AIRBOSS FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION DISCLAIMER

Certain statements contained or incorporated by reference herein, including those that express management’s expectations or estimates of future developments or AirBoss’ future performance, constitute “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, and can generally be identified by words such as “will”, “may”, “could” “expects”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “forecasts”, “plans”, “intends” or similar expressions. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent management’s expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events and performance.

Statements containing forward-looking information are necessarily based upon a number of opinions, estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at the time the statements are made, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks, uncertainties and contingencies. AirBoss cautions that such forward-looking information involves known and unknown contingencies, uncertainties and other risks that may cause AirBoss’ actual financial results, performance or achievements to be materially different from its estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Numerous factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking information, including without limitation: impact of general economic conditions, notably including its impact on demand for rubber solutions and products; dependence on key customers; global defense budgets, notably in the Company’s target markets, and success of the Company in obtaining new or extended defense contracts; cyclical trends in the tire and automotive, construction, mining and retail industries; sufficient availability of raw materials at economical costs; weather conditions affecting raw materials, production and sales; AirBoss’ ability to maintain existing customers or develop new customers in light of increased competition; AirBoss’ ability to successfully integrate acquisitions of other businesses and/or companies or to realize on the anticipated benefits thereof; changes in accounting policies and methods, including uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions and estimates; changes in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar; changes in tax laws and potential litigation; ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms; environmental damage and non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations; impact of global health situations; potential product liability and warranty claims and equipment malfunction. COVID-19 could also negatively impact the Company’s operations and financial results in future periods. There is increased uncertainty associated with future operating assumptions and expectations as compared to prior periods. As such, it is not possible to estimate the impacts COVID-19 will have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations in future periods. While the direct impacts of COVID-19 are not determinable at this time, the Company has a credit facility that can provide financing up to $250,000. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of AirBoss’ forward-looking information.

All of the forward-looking information in this press release is expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information attributable to AirBoss or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. Forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this Interim Report and, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, AirBoss disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly the forward-looking information except as required by applicable laws. Risks and uncertainties about AirBoss’ business are more fully discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Information Form and are otherwise disclosed in our filings with securities regulatory authorities which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

FAQ

What is the significance of AirBoss's renewed NCIB for ABSSF?

AirBoss's renewed NCIB allows for the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares, potentially enhancing shareholder value by indicating the company's belief that its shares are undervalued.

When does the renewed NCIB for AirBoss begin?

The renewed NCIB will commence on December 6, 2021, and will remain in effect until December 5, 2022, unless terminated earlier.

How many shares can AirBoss repurchase daily under the NCIB?

AirBoss can repurchase a maximum of 35,982 shares on any trading day, which is 25% of the average daily trading volume.

What happened with the previous NCIB for AirBoss?

The previous NCIB expired on November 29, 2021, without any shares being repurchased.

Why is AirBoss initiating a share repurchase program?

AirBoss believes that the market prices of its shares do not fully reflect the underlying value of the business and its future prospects.