Redwire Announces Acquisition of Edge Autonomy; Transformational Transaction Creates a Multi-Domain, Scaled and Profitable Space and Defense Tech Company
Redwire has announced the acquisition of Edge Autonomy, a move aimed at creating a multi-domain, scaled, and profitable space and defense technology company. This strategic acquisition significantly expands Redwire's portfolio to include combat-proven autonomous airborne platforms, enhancing its capabilities in supporting critical defense missions.
The acquisition is expected to generate substantial synergies, enabling operational efficiencies and market expansion. Redwire's integration with Edge Autonomy is projected to enhance its technological offerings and improve profitability, positioning the company as a leading player in the space and defense sectors.
The transaction aligns with Redwire's long-term growth strategy, aiming to leverage Edge Autonomy's advanced technologies and market reach. Details regarding the financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed in the announcement.
Redwire ha annunciato l'acquisizione di Edge Autonomy, una mossa mirata a creare un'azienda tecnologica nel settore spaziale e della difesa, multi-domini, scalabile e redditizia. Questa acquisizione strategica espande notevolmente il portafoglio di Redwire includendo piattaforme aeree autonome collaudate in combattimento, migliorando le sue capacità nel supportare missioni difensive criticali.
Si prevede che l'acquisizione generi sostanziali sinergie, consentendo efficienze operative e espansione del mercato. L'integrazione di Redwire con Edge Autonomy dovrebbe migliorare le offerte tecnologiche e aumentare la redditività, posizionando l'azienda come un attore leader nei settori spaziale e della difesa.
La transazione si allinea con la strategia di crescita a lungo termine di Redwire, mirando a sfruttare le tecnologie avanzate e la portata di mercato di Edge Autonomy. I dettagli riguardanti i termini finanziari dell'acquisizione non sono stati resi noti nell'annuncio.
Redwire ha anunciado la adquisición de Edge Autonomy, un movimiento destinado a crear una empresa tecnológica en el sector espacial y de defensa, multidominio, escalable y rentable. Esta adquisición estratégica expande significativamente el portafolio de Redwire, incluyendo plataformas aéreas autónomas probadas en combate, mejorando sus capacidades para apoyar misiones de defensa críticas.
Se espera que la adquisición genere sinergias sustanciales, permitiendo eficiencias operativas y expansión de mercado. La integración de Redwire con Edge Autonomy se proyecta para mejorar sus ofertas tecnológicas y aumentar la rentabilidad, posicionando a la empresa como un líder en los sectores espacial y de defensa.
La transacción está alineada con la estrategia de crecimiento a largo plazo de Redwire, buscando aprovechar las tecnologías avanzadas y el alcance de mercado de Edge Autonomy. Los detalles sobre los términos financieros de la adquisición no se divulgaron en el anuncio.
Redwire가 Edge Autonomy의 인수를 발표했습니다. 이 움직임은 다영역에서 확장 가능하고 수익성 있는 우주 방위 기술 회사를 만드는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다. 이번 전략적 인수로 Redwire의 포트폴리오가 전투에서 검증된 자율 비행 플랫폼을 포함하여 크게 확장되어, 중요한 방위 임무를 지원하는 능력이 향상됩니다.
이번 인수는 상당한 시너지를 창출할 것으로 예상되며, 운영 효율성과 시장 확장을 가능하게 합니다. Redwire와 Edge Autonomy의 통합은 기술 제공을 강화하고 수익성을 개선하여 회사가 우주 및 방위 분야의 선도적인 플레이어로 자리매김할 것으로 예상됩니다.
이번 거래는 Redwire의 장기 성장 전략과 일치하며, Edge Autonomy의 고급 기술과 시장 접근을 활용하려고 합니다. 인수 관련 금융 조건에 대한 세부 사항은 발표되지 않았습니다.
Redwire a annoncé l'acquisition de Edge Autonomy, un mouvement visant à créer une entreprise technologique dans le secteur spatial et de la défense, multi-domaines, évolutive et rentable. Cette acquisition stratégique élargit considérablement le portefeuille de Redwire pour inclure des plateformes aériennes autonomes éprouvées au combat, renforçant ainsi sa capacité à soutenir des missions de défense critiques.
On s'attend à ce que l'acquisition génère des synergies substantielles, permettant des gains d'efficacité opérationnelle et une expansion du marché. L'intégration de Redwire avec Edge Autonomy devrait améliorer son offre technologique et accroître sa rentabilité, plaçant l'entreprise en tant qu'acteur clé dans les secteurs spatial et de la défense.
La transaction est alignée avec la stratégie de croissance à long terme de Redwire, visant à tirer parti des technologies avancées et de l'empreinte de marché d'Edge Autonomy. Les détails concernant les conditions financières de l'acquisition n'ont pas été divulgués dans l'annonce.
Redwire hat die Übernahme von Edge Autonomy angekündigt, die darauf abzielt, ein multi-domänen, skalierbares und profitables Unternehmen im Bereich Raumfahrt- und Verteidigungstechnologie zu schaffen. Diese strategische Übernahme erweitert Redwires Portfolio erheblich um kampferprobte autonome Luftplattformen, was die Fähigkeit zur Unterstützung kritischer Verteidigungseinsätze verbessert.
Es wird erwartet, dass die Übernahme erhebliche Synergien erzeugt, die operationale Effizienz und Marktexpansion ermöglichen. Die Integration von Redwire mit Edge Autonomy wird voraussichtlich die technologischen Angebote verbessern und die Rentabilität steigern, wodurch das Unternehmen als führender Akteur im Raumfahrt- und Verteidigungssektor positioniert wird.
Die Transaktion steht im Einklang mit Redwires langfristiger Wachstumsstrategie, die darauf abzielt, die fortschrittlichen Technologien und die Marktpräsenz von Edge Autonomy zu nutzen. Details zu den finanziellen Bedingungen der Übernahme wurden in der Ankündigung nicht bekannt gegeben.
- Significant portfolio expansion with combat-proven autonomous airborne platforms.
- Expected synergies and operational efficiencies from the acquisition.
- Enhanced capabilities in supporting critical defense missions.
- Improved profitability and market expansion.
- None.
Insights
This acquisition marks a strategic pivot for Redwire into the defense-tech domain, significantly expanding their capabilities beyond pure space technologies. Edge Autonomy's combat-proven autonomous systems create immediate synergies in the rapidly growing defense market. The deal's timing is particularly noteworthy given the increasing global demand for autonomous defense capabilities and space-based intelligence systems.
The integration potential between Redwire's space infrastructure expertise and Edge Autonomy's autonomous platforms could create substantial value in the emerging space-defense nexus. With a market cap of
Key strategic benefits include diversified revenue streams, enhanced technological capabilities and stronger positioning in the defense sector. This could potentially reduce Redwire's dependence on pure space contracts while opening up new opportunities in the growing autonomous systems market.
The acquisition positions Redwire to capitalize on the critical intersection of space and autonomous systems - a sector experiencing rapid growth due to evolving military requirements. Edge Autonomy's proven track record in combat environments adds immediate credibility and capability to Redwire's portfolio. The integration of space-based assets with autonomous platforms creates a powerful combination for modern military operations.
From a technical perspective, this merger could enable new capabilities in:
- Multi-domain operations combining space and aerial autonomous systems
- Enhanced ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) capabilities
- Advanced command and control systems leveraging space infrastructure
Significant portfolio expansion to include combat-proven autonomous airborne platforms in support of critical forward-looking national security mission needs
Expected to be immediately accretive to Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow
Post-transaction, Redwire expects to have a strong balance sheet
The acquisition is expected to transform Redwire into a global leader in multi-domain autonomous technology, broadening its portfolio of mission-critical space platforms to include combat-proven autonomous airborne platforms. Immediately upon closing, the transaction is expected to be accretive to Redwire’s revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and Free Cash Flow. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, Redwire, as a combined company, is forecasting full year, revenues of
Formed in 2021 through the merger of UAV Factory and Jennings Aeronautics, Edge Autonomy harnesses over three decades of experience developing uncrewed and autonomous technology systems. Edge Autonomy is vertically integrated with proven capabilities, extensive mission heritage, and strong relationships with
Redwire has strengthened and grown its position as a critical provider of defense technology by scaling its national security space business and investing in enhanced capabilities. Redwire recently added two space platforms to its technology portfolio, Thresher and Mako, designed for software defined, AI-enabled, autonomous operations in low Earth orbit, medium Earth orbit, and geostationary orbit. Additionally, Redwire is currently developing Very Low Earth Orbit spacecraft or “orbital drones” that bridge the gap between airborne and space-based systems. The addition of Edge Autonomy’s UAS technologies with these capabilities expands our coverage across multiple domains and is expected to create new integrated capabilities for our customers that leverage connectivity across space and airborne operations.
“The combination of Redwire and Edge Autonomy creates a uniquely positioned space and defense company focused on two of the fastest growing trends in defense technology,” said Peter Cannito, Chairman and CEO of Redwire. “As space and airborne platforms converge into an integrated network of autonomous, collaborative systems, Redwire will be poised to provide end-to-end solutions for multi-domain operations from the surface of the earth to the surface of the moon and beyond.”
Headquartered in
“We are extremely excited to join forces with Redwire and merge two industry leaders in advanced multi-domain technologies,” said Steve Adlich, CEO of Edge Autonomy. “Both companies are committed to technology innovation, reliability and satisfying customer demand, and we see significant synergies within our collective capabilities that will positively impact both businesses and enable continued growth.”
Transaction Financing and Closing
Redwire will pay the purchase price for the acquisition in a combination of
The transaction is subject to customary approvals and closing conditions, including a Redwire stockholder vote and regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025.
In addition to approval by Redwire’s Board of Directors, the transaction has also been approved by a special committee of the Board composed entirely of directors who are independent both with respect to Redwire and AE Industrial Partners, LP and its affiliates (“AEI”). As a condition of the transaction, the stockholder approval must include a majority of the voting power not held by AEI. In connection with the transaction, entities affiliated with AEI, Genesis Park (through its affiliate Genesis Park II LP) and Bain Capital (through its affiliate BCC Redwire Aggregator, L.P.) have agreed to vote in favor of the proposals relating to the transaction at the stockholder meeting to be called for such purpose, representing an aggregate of approximately
At the closing of the transaction, Redwire will enter into an amended and restated investor rights agreement (the “Investor Rights Agreement”) with AEI, Genesis Park Holdings, and Edge Autonomy Ultimate Holdings, LP (“Seller”) and certain of their affiliates, which would provide that (i) AEI would be permitted to designate four directors for election to Redwire’s Board of Directors, which number would be reduced once AEI no longer holds
Transaction Conference Call
Management will conduct a conference call starting at 9:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 to discuss the transaction. The dial-in number for the live call is 877-485-3108 (toll free) or +1 201-689-8264 (toll), and the conference ID is 13751126. Redwire will live stream a presentation with slides during the call. Please use the following link to follow along with the live stream: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=FA5vxeLy
A telephone replay of the call will be available for two weeks following the event by dialing 877-660-6853 (toll free) or 201-612-7415 (toll) and entering the access code 13751126. The accompanying investor presentation will be available on January 20, 2025 on the investor section of Redwire’s website at ir.redwirespace.com.
Advisors
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and GH Partners LLC are serving as financial advisors and
About Redwire
Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW) is a global space infrastructure and innovation company enabling civil, commercial, and national security programs. Redwire’s proven and reliable capabilities include avionics, sensors, power solutions, critical structures, mechanisms, radio frequency systems, platforms, missions, and microgravity payloads. Redwire combines decades of flight heritage and proven experience with an agile and innovative culture. Redwire’s approximately 700 employees working from 17 facilities located throughout
About Edge Autonomy
Edge Autonomy is a leader in providing innovative autonomous systems, advanced optics, and resilient energy solutions to the
With a team of more than 600 employees, Edge Autonomy draws on over three decades of proven aerospace engineering, manufacturing expertise, and advanced technology. Headquartered in
Additional Information and Where to Find It
The definitive agreement entered into in connection with the proposed business combination described herein and a summary of material terms of the transaction will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K or Schedule 14A to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Redwire will file with the SEC a proxy statement relating to a special meeting of Redwire’s stockholders (the “proxy statement”). STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT REDWIRE, Edge Autonomy, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Stockholders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement and other documents filed with the SEC by the parties through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and stockholders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement and other documents filed with the SEC by the parties on investor relations section of Redwire’s website at redwirespace.com.
Participants in the Solicitation
Redwire and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Redwire in respect of the proposed business combination contemplated by the proxy statement. Information regarding the persons who are, under the rules of the SEC, participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of Redwire, respectively, in connection with the proposed business combination, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement when it is filed with the SEC. Information regarding Redwire’s directors and executive officers is contained in Redwire’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated April 22, 2024, which are filed with the SEC.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the proposed business combination or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.
Forward-Looking Statements
Readers are cautioned that the statements contained in this press release regarding expectations of our performance or other matters that may affect our or the combined company’s business, results of operations, or financial condition are “forward-looking statements” as defined by the “safe harbor” provisions in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are made in reliance on the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included or incorporated in this press release, including statements regarding our or the combined company’s strategy, financial projections, including the prospective financial information provided in this press release, financial position, funding for continued operations, cash reserves, liquidity, projected costs, plans, projects, awards and contracts, and objectives of management, the entry into the potential business combination, the expected benefits from the proposed business combination, the expected performance of the combined company, the expectations regarding financing the proposed business combination, among others, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “believe,” “target,” “continued,” “project,” “plan,” “opportunity,” “estimate,” “potential,” “predict,” “demonstrates,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “intend,” “shall,” “possible,” “forecast,” “trends,” “contemplate,” “would,” “approximately,” “likely,” “outlook,” “schedule,” “pipeline,” and variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward looking. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control.
These factors and circumstances include, but are not limited to: (1) risks associated with the continued economic uncertainty, including high inflation, supply chain challenges, labor shortages, increased labor costs, high interest rates, foreign currency exchange volatility, concerns of economic slowdown or recession and reduced spending or suspension of investment in new or enhanced projects; (2) the failure of financial institutions or transactional counterparties; (3) Redwire’s limited operating history and history of losses to date as well as the limited operating history of Edge Autonomy and the relatively novel nature of the drone industry; (4) the inability to successfully integrate recently completed and future acquisitions, including the proposed business combination with Edge Autonomy, as well as the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction or to realize estimated projected combined company results; (5) the development and continued refinement of many of Redwire’s and the combined company’s proprietary technologies, products and service offerings; (6) competition with new or existing companies; (7) the possibility that Redwire’s expectations and assumptions relating to future results and projections with respect to Redwire or Edge Autonomy may prove incorrect; (8) adverse publicity stemming from any incident or perceived risk involving Redwire, Edge Autonomy, the combined company, or their competitors; (9) unsatisfactory performance of our and the combined company’s products resulting from challenges in the space environment, extreme space weather events, the environments in which drones operate, including in combat or other areas where hostilities may occur, or otherwise; (10) the emerging nature of the market for in-space infrastructure services and the market for drones and related services; (11) inability to realize benefits from new offerings or the application of our or the combined company’s technologies; (12) the inability to convert orders in backlog into revenue; (13) our and the combined company’s dependence on
Use of Data
Industry and market data used in this press release have been obtained from third-party industry publications and sources, as well as from research reports prepared for other purposes. Redwire or Edge Autonomy have not independently verified the data obtained from these sources and cannot assure you of the data’s accuracy or completeness. This data is subject to change. Statements other than historical facts, including, but not limited to, those concerning market conditions or trends, consumer or customer preferences or other similar concepts with respect to Redwire, Edge Autonomy and the expected combined company, are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, targets, opinions and/or beliefs of Redwire or, when applicable, of one or more third-party sources. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. In addition, no representation or warranty is made with respect to the reasonableness of any estimates, forecasts, illustrations, prospects or returns, which should be regarded as illustrative only, or that any profits will be realized. The metrics regarding select aspects of Redwire's, Edge Autonomy’s and the expected combined company’s operations were selected by Redwire or its subsidiaries on a subjective basis. Such metrics are provided solely for illustrative purposes to demonstrate elements of Redwire's businesses, are incomplete, and are not necessarily indicative of Redwire’s, Edge Autonomy’s or their subsidiaries’ performance or overall operations. There can be no assurance that historical trends will continue.
The Edge Autonomy financial information, including non-GAAP measures, for the last twelve months ended September 30, 2024 and year ended December 31, 2023 included in this press release is unaudited and subject to change. The historical financial information, including any related non-GAAP information, for Edge Autonomy is subject to the finalization of year-end financial and accounting procedures (which are in process of being performed) and should not be viewed as a substitute for audited results prepared in accordance with
Use of Projections
The financial outlook and projections, estimates and targets in this press release are forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions that are inherently subject to significant uncertainty and contingencies, many of which are beyond Redwire’s or Edge Autonomy’s control. Neither Redwire nor Edge Autonomy’s independent auditors have audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the financial projections for purposes of inclusion in this press release, and, accordingly, they did not express an opinion or provide any other form of assurance with respect thereto for the purposes of this press release. While all financial projections, estimates and targets are necessarily speculative, Redwire believes that the preparation of prospective financial information involves increasingly higher levels of uncertainty the further out the projection, estimate or target extends from the date of preparation. The assumptions and estimates underlying the projected, expected or target results for Redwire, Edge Autonomy and the combined company are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the financial projections, estimates and targets. The inclusion of financial projections, estimates and targets in this press release should not be regarded as an indication that Redwire, or its representatives, considered or consider the financial projections, estimates or targets to be a reliable prediction of future events. Further, inclusion of the prospective financial information in this press release should not be regarded as a representation by any person that the results contained in the prospective financial information will be achieved.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
This press release contains financial measures that have not been prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”). These financial measures include forecasted Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow for Redwire assuming completion of the acquisition of Edge Autonomy.
Non-GAAP financial measures are used to supplement the financial information presented on a
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) adjusted for interest expense, net, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization, impairment expense, acquisition deal costs, acquisition integration costs, acquisition earnout costs, purchase accounting fair value adjustment related to deferred revenue, severance costs, capital market and advisory fees, litigation-related expenses, write-off of long-lived assets, gains on sale of joint ventures, equity-based compensation, committed equity facility transaction costs, debt financing costs, and warrant liability change in fair value adjustments. Free Cash Flow is computed as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures.
We use Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate our operating performance, generate future operating plans, and make strategic decisions, including those relating to operating expenses and the allocation of internal resources. We use Free Cash Flow as a useful indicator of liquidity to evaluate our period-over-period operating cash generation that will be used to service our debt, and can be used to invest in future growth through new business development activities and/or acquisitions, among other uses. Free Cash Flow does not represent the total increase or decrease in our cash balance, and it should not be inferred that the entire amount of Free Cash Flow is available for discretionary expenditures, since we have mandatory debt service requirements and other non-discretionary expenditures that are not deducted from this measure.
1 These amounts are the sum of the standalone full year forecasts for the Redwire and Edge Autonomy businesses by Redwire management, and have not been calculated pursuant to Article 11 of Regulation S-X.
2 Amounts presented for the last twelve months ended September 30, 2024. Metrics based on data available to Redwire that has not been audited by Redwire or its auditors and is subject to change. Such metrics may not have the same definition as, nor be comparable to, Redwire’s financial measures, including non-GAAP financial measures, of the same or similar name. Please refer to “Use of Data” included in the Press Release for additional information.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250120541642/en/
Media Contacts:
Tere Riley
tere.riley@redwirespace.com
OR
Susan Hoffman
shoffman@edgeautonomy.io
OR
Investors:
investorrelations@redwirespace.com
904-425-1431
Source: Redwire Corporation
FAQ
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