Ritchie Bros. Thanks Shareholders for Their Strong Support of IAA Acquisition

Rhea-AI Summary

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (NYSE: RBA) received strong support from its shareholders, including Vontobel Asset Management, which holds 2.15% of RBA shares, for its acquisition of IAA, Inc. (NYSE: IAA). This backing aligns with positive sentiment from industry analysts regarding the potential synergies and benefits of the merger. The stock price of Ritchie Bros. has risen since the acquisition announcement, showcasing market optimism. A Special Meeting is scheduled for March 14, 2023, where shareholders will vote on proposals related to the acquisition. Ritchie Bros. emphasizes a commitment to delivering shareholder value through effective integration and growth strategies.

Positive

• Shareholder support includes major stakeholders like Vontobel Asset Management.
• Analysts express confidence in the synergies and revenue potential of the RBA and IAA merger.
• The stock price of Ritchie Bros. has increased since the announcement of the IAA acquisition.
• Management has a proven record of execution and effective integration planning is ongoing.

Negative

• None.

Vontobel Asset Management, Which Owns 2.15% of Ritchie Bros. Shares, is Yet Another Ritchie Bros. Shareholder to Publicly Support the IAA Acquisition

VANCOUVER, BC, March 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated (NYSE: RBA) (TSX: RBA) ("Ritchie Bros.") today issued the following statement regarding the support it is receiving from many shareholders, including among the Company's largest shareholders, as well as industry analysts regarding the acquisition of IAA, Inc. (NYSE: IAA) ("IAA"):

Vontobel Asset Management, which owns 2.15% of Ritchie Bros. shares, has joined many other Ritchie Bros.' shareholders, including a number of our largest shareholders, in publicly supporting the IAA acquisition.

We thank Ritchie Bros. shareholders for their strong support, which has been expressed both publicly and in our private conversations.

This shareholder support, the positive commentary from independent third-party industry analysts and the increase in Ritchie Bros. stock price since the transaction was announced are all evidence that shareholders and analysts share our enthusiasm for the benefits and upside opportunities that a Ritchie Bros. + IAA combination creates. Importantly, employees and customers are also excited about bringing Ritchie Bros. and IAA together.

The Ritchie Bros. management team has a proven record of execution. Integration planning is progressing well, and we are confident in our ability to deliver even greater shareholder value with IAA.

In addition to the support announced yesterday by Vontobel Asset Management, Independent Franchise Partners and Eagle Asset Management, who are also among Ritchie Bros.' largest shareholders, have publicly announced their support for the IAA acquisition.

Independent third-party industry analysts also recognize the expected benefits and value creation opportunities enabled by the IAA acquisition. For exampleⁱ:

• "In looking ahead, we remain upbeat on the potential of an RBA/IAA combination as salvage auctions are our preferred area to find value in the 2023 and 2024 auto ecosystem…we have long felt IAA had margin potential to be unleashed compared to rival Copart and have no reason to think this margin gap cannot be narrowed under the watchful eye of the Ritchie team." – Northcoast Research, February 21, 2023
• "Genuine enthusiasm about the opportunity to execute against the revenue and cost synergies… broader sphere of auto auctions could be a viable growth market… We continue to like the potential of an RBA/IAA combination." – Northcoast Research, February 9, 2023
• "We see a path to $100 [share price for RBA] over the next several years if management executes well. We like what RBA brings to IAA… and what IAA brings to RBA…we believe the company's $100- $120 million cost synergy projection is credible." – Northcoast Research, January 27, 2023
• "RBA shareholders get a slightly higher ownership and a special dividend while IAA shareholders will receive a larger cash payment and maintain the upside potential. Additionally, the amended offer now includes a special dividend and remains accretive to EPS after the first full year. Clearly, the announcement and conference call strengthen RBA's case for acquiring IAA. Additionally, the deal's chances of closing have moved up above 80%." – William Blair, January 23, 2023
• "The combination offers strategic opportunities for RBA and IAA unique to this transaction: for RBA, IAA adds scale, brings complementary capabilities (i.e. process, transaction automation), and enables it to accelerate its marketplace transformation; for IAA, RBA may facilitate the expansion (or recovery) of its market share. We dug in. And, we dig it." – Scotiabank, December 5, 2022
• "The deal makes sense from a bottom-line perspective because of the weakness of IAA's share price YTD and the combined financial earnings power of the proforma entity… We also appreciate the secular growth dynamics present in salvage auto auction market that has seen a growing number of vehicles being auctioned off every year." – National Bank of Canada, November 21, 2022
• "The pending acquisition has an attractive financial profile that on a combined TTM basis generates $14.5 billion of GTV… Based on this acquisition and RBA's strong fundamental outlook, we are raising our investment rating." – Barrington Research Associates, November 7, 2022

Ritchie Bros. will hold a Special Meeting of Shareholders on March 14, 2023 to vote on proposals necessary to approve the IAA acquisition. The Ritchie Bros. Board of Directors unanimously recommends that all shareholders vote "FOR" on the WHITE proxy card for each proposal. Shareholders should discard any green proxy card received from Luxor Capital Group. Additional information about the expected benefits of the IAA acquisition and instructions on how to vote "FOR" at the Special Meeting can be found at www.RBASpecialMeeting.com.

Any shareholder with questions about the Special Meeting or in need of assistance in voting their shares should contact:
Laurel Hill	MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
North American Toll Free: 1-877-452-7184	North American Toll Free: 1-800-322-2885
Outside North America: 416-304-0211	Email: proxy@mackenziepartners.com
Email: assistance@laurelhill.com
Information about the meeting is also available at www.RBASpecialMeeting.com

 

About Ritchie Bros.

Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is a global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets. Operating in a number of sectors, including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, mining, and forestry, the company's selling channels include: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world's largest industrial auctioneer offering live auction events with online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with weekly featured auctions and providing the exclusive IronClad Assurance(R) equipment condition certification; Marketplace-E, a controlled marketplace offering multiple price and timing options; Ritchie List, a self-serve listing service for North America; Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service; Ritchie Bros. Private Treaty, offering privately negotiated sales; and sector-specific solutions GovPlanet, TruckPlanet, and Ritchie Bros. Energy. The company's suite of solutions also includes Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions and Rouse Services LLC, which together provides a complete end-to-end asset management, data-driven intelligence and performance benchmarking system; SmartEquip, an innovative technology platform that supports customers' management of the equipment lifecycle and integrates parts procurement with both OEMs and dealers; plus equipment financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. For more information about Ritchie Bros., visit RitchieBros.com.

Photos and video for embedding in media stories are available at rbauction.com/media.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains information relating to a proposed business combination transaction between Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated ("RBA") and IAA, Inc. ("IAA"). This communication includes forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements may include statements relating to future events and anticipated results of operations, business strategies, the anticipated benefits of the proposed IAA transaction, the anticipated impact of the proposed IAA transaction on the combined company's business and future financial and operating results, the expected or estimated amount, achievability, sources, impact and timing of cost synergies and revenue, EBITDA, growth, operational enhancement, expansion and other value creation opportunities from the proposed IAA transaction, the expected debt, de-leveraging, cash flow generation and capital allocation of the combined company, the anticipated closing date for the proposed IAA transaction, other aspects of RBA's or IAA's respective businesses, operations, financial condition or operating results and other statements that are not historical facts. There can be no assurance that the proposed IAA transaction will in fact be consummated. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "can," "intends," "target," "goal," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "foresees," "forecasts," "estimates," "opportunity" or other words or phrases of similar import.

It is uncertain whether any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on the results of operations and financial condition of the combined companies or the price of RBA's common shares or IAA's common stock. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any such statements and caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. While RBA's and IAA's management believe the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, these forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the parties' control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the possibility that shareholders of RBA may not approve the issuance of new common shares of RBA in the transaction or that stockholders of IAA may not approve the adoption of the merger agreement; the risk that a condition to closing of the proposed IAA transaction may not be satisfied (or waived), that either party may terminate the merger agreement or that the closing of the proposed IAA transaction might be delayed or not occur at all; the anticipated tax treatment of the proposed IAA transaction; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed IAA transaction; the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; the response of competitors to the proposed IAA transaction; the ultimate difficulty, timing, cost and results of integrating the operations of RBA and IAA; the effects of the business combination of RBA and IAA, including the combined company's future financial condition, results of operations, strategy and plans; the failure (or delay) to receive the required regulatory approval of the transaction; the fact that operating costs and business disruption may be greater than expected following the public announcement or consummation of the proposed IAA transaction; the effect of the announcement, pendency or consummation of the proposed IAA transaction on the trading price of RBA's common shares or IAA's common stock; the ability of RBA and/or IAA to retain and hire key personnel and employees; the significant costs associated with the proposed IAA transaction; the outcome of any legal proceedings that could be instituted against RBA, IAA and/or others relating to the proposed IAA transaction; restrictions during the pendency of the proposed IAA transaction that may impact the ability of RBA and/or IAA to pursue non-ordinary course transactions, including certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; the ability of the combined company to realize anticipated synergies in the amount, manner or timeframe expected or at all; the failure of the combined company to realize potential revenue, EBITDA, growth, operational enhancement, expansion or other value creation opportunities from the sources or in the amount, manner or timeframe expected or at all; the failure of the trading multiple of the combined company to normalize or re-rate and other fluctuations in such trading multiple; changes in capital markets and the ability of the combined company to generate cash flow and/or finance operations in the manner expected or to de-lever in the timeframe expected; the failure of RBA or the combined company to meet financial forecasts and/or KPI targets; any legal impediment to the payment of the special dividend by RBA, including TSX consent to the dividend record date; legislative, regulatory and economic developments affecting the business of RBA and IAA; general economic and market developments and conditions; the evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes under which RBA and IAA operates; unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, pandemics, acts of terrorism or outbreak of war or hostilities, as well as RBA's or IAA's response to any of the aforementioned factors. These risks, as well as other risks related to the proposed IAA transaction, are included in the Registration Statement (as defined below) and joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities in connection with the proposed IAA transaction. While the list of factors presented here is, and the list of factors presented in the Registration Statement are, considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. 

For additional information about other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, please refer to RBA's and IAA's respective periodic reports and other filings with the SEC and/or applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including the risk factors identified in RBA's most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K and IAA's most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K. The forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date hereof. Neither RBA nor IAA undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information, future events, changes in its expectations or other circumstances that exist after the date as of which the forward-looking statements were made, except as required by law.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication 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 except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements.  

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed IAA transaction, RBA filed with the SEC and applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities a registration statement on Form S-4 to register the common shares of RBA to be issued in connection with the proposed IAA transaction on December 14, 2022 (the "Initial Registration Statement"), as amended by Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2 to the Initial Registration Statement filed with the SEC and applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on February 1, 2023 and February 9, 2023, respectively (together with the Initial Registration Statement, the "Registration Statement"). The Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on February 10, 2023. The Registration Statement includes a joint proxy statement/prospectus which will be sent to the shareholders of RBA and stockholders of IAA seeking their approval of their respective transaction-related proposals. Each of RBA and IAA may also file other relevant documents with the SEC and/or applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities regarding the proposed IAA transaction. This document is not a substitute for the proxy statement/prospectus or Registration Statement or any other document that RBA or IAA may file with the SEC and/or applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND THE RELATED JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC AND APPLICABLE CANADIAN SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED IAA TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT RBA, IAA AND THE PROPOSED IAA TRANSACTION. 

Investors and security holders may obtain copies of these documents (when they are available) free of charge through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov, SEDAR at www.sedar.com or from RBA at its website, investor.ritchiebros.com, or from IAA at its website, investors.iaai.com. Documents filed with the SEC and applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities by RBA (when they are available) will be available free of charge by accessing RBA's website at investor.ritchiebros.com under the heading Financials/SEC Filings, or, alternatively, by directing a request by telephone or mail to RBA at 9500 Glenlyon Parkway, Burnaby, BC, V5J 0C6, Canada, and documents filed with the SEC by IAA (when they are available) will be available free of charge by accessing IAA's website at investors.iaai.com or by contacting IAA's Investor Relations at investors@iaai.com.

Participants in the Solicitation

RBA and IAA, certain of their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees, and Jeffrey C. Smith and potentially other Starboard employees, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of RBA and IAA in respect of the proposed IAA transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about RBA's directors and executive officers is available in RBA's definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the SEC and applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on March 15, 2022, and certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. Information about IAA's directors and executive officers is available in IAA's definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on May 2, 2022, and certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. Other information regarding persons who may be deemed participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, including information with respect to Mr. Smith, are contained or will be contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed or to be filed with the SEC and applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities regarding the proposed IAA transaction when they become available. Investors should read the joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from RBA or IAA free of charge using the sources indicated above.

Ritchie Bros. Contacts
Investors
Sameer Rathod Vice President, Investor Relations & Market Intelligence
(510) 381-7584
srathod@ritchiebros.com

Media
Barrett Golden / Lucas Pers / Haley Salas
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
(212) 355-4449

__________________________

i Permission to use quotes neither sought nor obtained

 

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SOURCE Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers

FAQ

What is the significance of the Vontobel Asset Management support for RBA?

Vontobel Asset Management's support signifies strong investor confidence in RBA's acquisition of IAA, indicating alignment among major shareholders.

When is the special meeting of RBA shareholders regarding the IAA acquisition?

The special meeting of RBA shareholders is scheduled for March 14, 2023.

What are the expected benefits of the RBA and IAA merger?

The merger is anticipated to create revenue synergies and enhance market capabilities, potentially increasing shareholder value.

How has the RBA stock price reacted to the IAA acquisition announcement?

Since the announcement of the IAA acquisition, RBA's stock price has risen, reflecting positive market sentiment.

What do analysts say about the RBA and IAA merger?

Analysts have expressed optimism regarding the merger, citing potential growth and efficiency gains in the auto auction market.