Orbital Energy Group, Inc. Announces Acquisition of Front Line Power Construction LLC

Rhea-AI Summary

Orbital Energy Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: OEG) has acquired 100% of Front Line Power Construction LLC for $218.4 million. This acquisition will enhance OEG's earnings and cash flow while significantly expanding its scale, projecting combined revenues over $300 million for 2022. Approximately 90% of Front Line's revenue stems from long-term contracts with utility customers, ensuring a stable revenue base. The transaction will be funded via a term loan, restricted shares, and a promissory note. OEG aims to leverage Front Line's expertise to grow its electric power infrastructure services.

Positive

• Acquisition expected to significantly increase scale and earnings.
• Projected combined revenue exceeding $300 million in 2022.
• Stable revenue base with 90% from multi-year utility contracts.
• Strategic growth opportunity in electric power infrastructure.

Negative

• Acquisition cost of $218.4 million may impact liquidity.
• Dependence on successful integration of Front Line's operations.

HOUSTON, Nov. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

About Orbital
Orbital Energy Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: OEG) is creating a diversified energy services platform through the acquisition and development of innovative companies. Orbital Energy's group of businesses includes Orbital Power Services, Orbital Solar Services, Orbital Telecom Services and Orbital Gas Systems.

Orbital Power Services provides engineering, construction, maintenance and emergency response solutions to the power, utilities, and midstream markets.

Orbital Solar Services provides engineering, procurement, and construction ("EPC") expertise in the renewable energy industry and established relationships with solar developers and panel manufacturers in the utility scale solar market.

Orbital Telecom Services, operating as Gibson Technical Services, has nationwide locations equipped to effectively support multi-vendor OEM technology environments and outside plant construction operations on an as-needed basis with specialized services in broadband, wireless, outside plant and building technologies, including healthcare. Orbital Gas Systems is a 30-year leader in innovative gas solutions, serving the energy, power and processing markets through the design, installation and commissioning of industrial gas sampling, measurement, and delivery systems.

As a publicly traded company, Orbital Energy is dedicated to maximizing shareholder value. But most important, our commitment to conduct business with a high level of integrity, respect, and philanthropic dedication allows the organization to make a difference in the lives of their customers, employees, investors, and global community.

For more information please visit: www.orbitalenergygroup.com

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, as amended, including those relating to the expected use of proceeds. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking expressions, including, but not limited to, "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "estimate," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. These statements relate to future events and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include the risk factors set forth in the Company's filings with the SEC, including, without limitation, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, its periodic reports on Form 10-Q, and its Current Reports on Form 8-K filed in 2020 and 2021, as well as the risks identified in the shelf registration statement and the prospectus supplement relating to the offering. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Orbital undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Relations:
Three Part Advisors
John Beisler or Steven Hooser
817-310-8776
investors@orbitalenergygroup.com      

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/orbital-energy-group-inc-announces-acquisition-of-front-line-power-construction-llc-301426843.html

SOURCE Orbital Energy Group, Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of OEG's acquisition of Front Line?

The acquisition enhances OEG's scale and earnings, with projected combined revenues exceeding $300 million for 2022.

How much did OEG pay for Front Line Power Construction?

OEG acquired Front Line for a gross purchase price of $218.4 million.

What percentage of Front Line's revenue is secured through long-term contracts?

Approximately 90% of Front Line's revenue is under multi-year agreements with utility and telecommunications customers.

When will OEG discuss the acquisition further?

OEG's CEO will provide additional comments during the Three Part Advisors IDEAS Conference on November 18.

How will the acquisition impact OEG's future growth?

The acquisition is expected to facilitate organic revenue growth and synergistic acquisitions, positioning OEG as a full-service energy infrastructure provider.