Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. Announces Expiration of “Go-Shop” Period Contained in Previously Announced Merger Agreement
- Acquisition on track to close in Q4 2023
- No competing acquisition proposals received
- None.
Acquisition by J.F.
During the “go-shop” period, at the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors, Crystal Clean and representatives of William Blair & Company, financial advisor to the Company, engaged with or actively solicited alternative acquisition proposals from 53 potentially interested parties with respect to a possible alternative transaction to the merger. Crystal Clean did not receive any competing acquisition proposals during the “go-shop” period.
Upon expiration of the “go-shop” period, pursuant to the definitive merger agreement with JFLCO, Crystal Clean became subject to customary “no-shop” provisions that limit Crystal Clean and its representatives’ ability to solicit alternative acquisition proposals from third parties or to provide confidential information to third parties, subject to customary “fiduciary out” provisions.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Crystal Clean stockholders and the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Upon completion of the transaction, Crystal Clean will become a privately held company and shares of Crystal Clean common stock will no longer be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange or trade in any other public market.
About Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.
Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. provides parts cleaning, used oil re-refining, hazardous and non-hazardous waste disposal, emergency and spill response, and industrial and field services to vehicle maintenance businesses, manufacturers and other industrial businesses, as well as utilities and governmental entities. Our service programs include parts cleaning, regulated containerized and bulk waste management, used oil collection and re-refining, wastewater vacuum, emergency and spill response, industrial and field services, waste antifreeze collection, recycling and product sales. These services help our customers manage their used chemicals and liquid and solid wastes, while also helping to minimize their regulatory burdens. Through our used oil re-refining program during fiscal 2022, we recycled approximately 66 million gallons of used oil into high quality lubricating base oil, and we are a supplier to firms that produce and market finished lubricants. Through our antifreeze program during fiscal 2022, we recycled approximately 4.5 million gallons of spent antifreeze which was used to produce a full line of virgin-quality antifreeze products. Through our parts cleaning program during fiscal 2022, we recycled 2.3 million gallons of used solvent into virgin-quality solvent to be used again by our customers. In addition, we sold 0.6 million gallons of used solvent into the reuse market. Through our containerized waste program during fiscal 2022, we collected approximately 22 thousand tons of regulated waste which was sent for energy recovery. Through our wastewater vacuum services program during fiscal 2022, we treated approximately 84 million gallons of wastewater. Crystal Clean is headquartered in
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This release may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed acquisition of Crystal Clean by JFLCO. In connection with the proposed transaction, Crystal Clean filed a preliminary proxy statement (the “Preliminary Proxy Statement”) on Schedule 14A on August 10, 2023 with the
Participants in the Solicitation
Crystal Clean and JFLCO and their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders of Crystal Clean in favor of the proposed transaction. Information about Crystal Clean’s directors and executive officers is set forth in the Preliminary Proxy Statement. Additional information concerning the interests of Crystal Clean’s participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of Crystal Clean ’s stockholders generally, will be set forth in the Proxy Statement when it becomes available.
No Offer or Solicitation
This release is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made in
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections, predictions, expectations, or beliefs about future events or results and are not statements of historical fact. Such statements may include statements regarding the completion of the proposed merger and the expected timing of the completion of the proposed merger, the management of Crystal Clean upon completion of the proposed merger and Crystal Clean’s plans upon completion of the proposed merger. Such forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions as of the time they are made, and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often accompanied by words that convey projected future events or outcomes such as “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “will,” “may,” “view,” “opportunity,” “potential,” or words of similar meaning or other statements concerning opinions or judgment of Crystal Clean or its management about future events. There can be no assurance that actual results, performance, or achievements of Crystal Clean will not differ materially from any projected future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Actual future results, performance or achievements may differ materially from historical results or those anticipated depending on a variety of factors, some of which are beyond the control of Crystal Clean, including, but not limited to: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the inability to complete the proposed merger due to the failure to obtain stockholder approval for the proposed merger or the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the proposed merger; risks related to disruption of management’s attention from Crystal Clean’s ongoing business operations due to the proposed merger; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed merger; Crystal Clean’s ability to retain and hire key personnel in light of the proposed merger; certain restrictions during the pendency of the proposed merger that may impact Crystal Clean’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; the ability of the buyer to obtain the necessary financing arrangements set forth in the commitment letters received in connection with the proposed merger; potential litigation relating to the proposed merger that could be instituted against the parties to the merger agreement or their respective directors, managers or officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; the effect of the announcement of the proposed merger on Crystal Clean’s relationships with its customers, operating results and business generally; and the risk that the proposed merger will not be consummated in a timely manner, if at all. Crystal Clean refers you to the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of Crystal Clean’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and comparable sections of Crystal Clean’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings, which have been filed with the SEC and are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein. The actual results or developments anticipated may not be realized or, even if substantially realized, they may not have the expected consequences to or effects on Crystal Clean or its business or operations. Readers are cautioned not to rely on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and Crystal Clean does not undertake any obligation to update, revise or clarify these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Heritage-Crystal Clean
Investors:
Mark DeVita
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
mark.devita@crystal-clean.com
847-836-5670
Media:
Mike Ademe
Communications & Marketing Manager
mike.ademe@crystal-clean.com
224-281-1530
or
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
Eric Brielmann / Kaitlin Kikalo
212-355-4449
Source: Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.
