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Star Equity Holdings Announces $5.9 Million Sale-Leaseback Transaction

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Star Equity Holdings, Inc. has announced a sale-leaseback agreement for its South Paris, Maine facility, with the real estate arm of the company's Investments division. The transaction is valued at $5.935 million, with a 20-year lease agreement and the potential for a 20-year extension. The company's modular manufacturing business, KBS Builders, Inc., will continue to operate the facility with no impact on its operations. The CFO, David Noble, expressed excitement about the value-unlocking transaction and the company's ability to fund its growth strategy and redeploy cash into EBITDA-generating assets.
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The sale-leaseback agreement by Star Equity Holdings represents a strategic financial move that could affect the company's liquidity and capital allocation. By converting a fixed asset into liquid capital, Star Equity Holdings has the opportunity to bolster its cash reserves, which can be critical in pursuing growth initiatives. The transaction's value at $5.935 million suggests a calculated decision based on the facility's market value and the company's assessment of capital costs.

From a financial perspective, the long-term lease agreement indicates a commitment to maintain operational stability for KBS Builders, ensuring continuity without disrupting production. The CFO's statement highlights the intention to reinvest the liquidated capital into EBITDA-generating assets, signaling a proactive approach to asset management and an emphasis on acquisitions that could enhance the company's profitability and shareholder value.

Investors should monitor the company's subsequent reinvestment decisions, as these will be critical in determining the transaction's long-term success. The ability to optimize the asset portfolio and manage the cost of capital effectively is a positive indicator of financial stewardship, potentially leading to improved financial metrics and stock performance.

The sale-leaseback agreement is a tactical maneuver within the real estate market, often used by companies to free up capital. This move by Star Equity Holdings could be interpreted as a response to market conditions that favor liquidity and operational flexibility. By securing a 20-year lease, with the option to extend, the company demonstrates foresight in balancing long-term operational security with financial agility.

Market conditions that allow for 'value-unlocking transactions' suggest a favorable environment for such real estate deals. The company's decision to engage in this transaction could be influenced by current real estate trends, interest rates and the availability of capital for growth. It's essential to consider how this transaction aligns with broader market dynamics and the potential for similar future deals.

For industry observers and competitors, this move could signal a shift towards more aggressive capital redeployment strategies within the sector. The emphasis on EBITDA-generating assets and acquisitions could indicate a trend towards consolidation in the industry, potentially affecting market competition and landscape.

Sale-leaseback agreements are a strategic tool in real estate investment, allowing companies to extract equity from their properties while retaining operational control. This particular transaction by Star Equity Holdings at $5.935 million for its South Paris facility reflects a precise valuation strategy, likely based on the property's income-generating potential and current market rates.

For real estate investors, the terms of the lease and the facility's role within the company's operations are critical. A 20-year lease with extension rights provides long-term stability for both the lessee and the lessor, suggesting a mutually beneficial arrangement. The lease terms also typically include predefined rent escalations, which could protect the investor from inflation and provide a steady income stream.

Investors should evaluate Star's ability to execute its stated goal of redeploying capital into assets that enhance EBITDA. The success of this strategy hinges on identifying and acquiring properties or companies that align with Star's growth objectives while offering solid returns on investment. The company's real estate investment decisions will be a key determinant of its ability to maintain a competitive edge and generate sustainable growth.

OLD GREENWICH, Conn., Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Star Equity Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: STRR; STRRP) (“Star” or the “Company”), a diversified holding company, announced today that Star Real Estate Holdings USA, Inc. (“SRE”), the real estate arm of the Company’s Investments division, has entered into a sale-leaseback agreement for its South Paris, Maine facility. This facility will continue to be used by KBS Builders, Inc., Star’s wholly owned modular manufacturing business (“KBS”). The transaction is subject to customary due diligence and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024.

Under the terms of the transaction, SRE will sell its South Paris facility for $5.935 million and, simultaneously, a Company wholly owned subsidiary will enter into a 20-year lease agreement, with the right to extend for up to an additional 20 years. Following the closing of the transaction, KBS will continue to operate the South Paris facility pursuant to the lease, and the transaction will have no impact on KBS’s operations.

“We are excited to announce this value-unlocking transaction for Star,” said David Noble, Star’s CFO. “Market conditions presented us the opportunity to realize an attractive value for our South Paris facility at a reasonable cost of capital. Due to our strong balance sheet and healthy cash position, we are well positioned to fund our growth strategy and redeploy our available cash into EBITDA-generating assets, including acquisitions. Over time, we may pursue similar transactions as we look to optimize Star’s asset portfolio and cost of capital.”

About Star Equity Holdings, Inc.

Star Equity Holdings, Inc. is a diversified holding company currently composed of two divisions: Construction and Investments.

Construction

Our Construction division manufactures modular housing units for commercial and residential real estate projects and operates in two businesses: (i) modular building manufacturing and (ii) structural wall panel and wood foundation manufacturing, including building supply distribution operations for professional builders.

Investments

Our Investments division manages and finances the Company’s real estate assets as well as its investment positions in private and public companies.

Forward-Looking Statements

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this release that are not statements of historical fact are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” for the purpose of the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking Statements include, without limitation, statements regarding (i) the plans and objectives of management for future operations, including plans or objectives relating to acquisitions and related integration, development of commercially viable products, novel technologies, and modern applicable services, (ii) projections of income (including income/loss), EBITDA, earnings (including earnings/loss) per share, free cash flow (FCF), capital expenditures, cost reductions, capital structure or other financial items, (iii) the future financial performance of the Company or acquisition targets and (iv) the assumptions underlying or relating to any statement described above. Moreover, forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions on the Company’s part. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “project”, “intend”, “plan”, “should”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “will be”, “will continue” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are not meant to predict or guarantee actual results, performance, events, or circumstances and may not be realized because they are based upon the Company's current projections, plans, objectives, beliefs, expectations, estimates and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other influences, many of which the Company has no control over. Actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described above as a result of these risks and uncertainties. Factors that may influence or contribute to the inaccuracy of forward-looking statements or cause actual results to differ materially from expected or desired results may include, without limitation, the substantial amount of debt of the Company and the Company’s ability to repay or refinance it or incur additional debt in the future; the Company’s need for a significant amount of cash to service and repay the debt and to pay dividends on the Company’s preferred stock; the restrictions contained in the debt agreements that limit the discretion of management in operating the business; legal, regulatory, political and economic risks in markets and public health crises that reduce economic activity and cause restrictions on operations (including the recent coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak); the length of time associated with servicing customers; losses of significant contracts or failure to get potential contracts being discussed; disruptions in the relationship with third party vendors; accounts receivable turnover; insufficient cash flows and resulting lack of liquidity; the Company's inability to expand the Company's business; unfavorable changes in the extensive governmental legislation and regulations governing healthcare providers and the provision of healthcare services and the competitive impact of such changes (including unfavorable changes to reimbursement policies); high costs of regulatory compliance; the liability and compliance costs regarding environmental regulations; the underlying condition of the technology support industry; the lack of product diversification; development and introduction of new technologies and intense competition in the healthcare industry; existing or increased competition; risks to the price and volatility of the Company’s common stock and preferred stock; stock volatility and in liquidity; risks to preferred stockholders of not receiving dividends and risks to the Company’s ability to pursue growth opportunities if the Company continues to pay dividends according to the terms of the Company’s preferred stock; the Company’s ability to execute on its business strategy (including any cost reduction plans); the Company’s failure to realize expected benefits of restructuring and cost-cutting actions; the Company’s ability to preserve and monetize its net operating losses; risks associated with the Company’s possible pursuit of acquisitions; the Company’s ability to consummate successful acquisitions and execute related integration, as well as factors related to the Company’s business including economic and financial market conditions generally and economic conditions in the Company’s markets; failure to keep pace with evolving technologies and difficulties integrating technologies; system failures; losses of key management personnel and the inability to attract and retain highly qualified management and personnel in the future; and the continued demand for and market acceptance of the Company’s services. For a detailed discussion of cautionary statements and risks that may affect the Company’s future results of operations and financial results, please refer to the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. This release reflects management’s views as of the date presented.

All forward-looking statements are necessarily only estimates of future results, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations, and, therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

For more information contact:  
Star Equity Holdings, Inc.The Equity Group 
David NobleLena Cati 
   
CFOSenior Vice President 
203-489-9502212-836-9611 
admin@starequity.comlcati@equityny.com 


FAQ

What is the sale-leaseback agreement announced by Star Equity Holdings, Inc.?

Star Equity Holdings, Inc. has announced a sale-leaseback agreement for its South Paris, Maine facility, with a transaction valued at $5.935 million.

Who will continue to operate the South Paris facility after the transaction?

KBS Builders, Inc., Star's wholly owned modular manufacturing business, will continue to operate the South Paris facility after the transaction.

What is the length of the lease agreement for the South Paris facility?

The lease agreement for the South Paris facility is for 20 years, with the potential for an additional 20-year extension.

What is the CFO, David Noble, excited about regarding the transaction?

David Noble, Star's CFO, expressed excitement about the value-unlocking transaction and the company's ability to fund its growth strategy and redeploy cash into EBITDA-generating assets.

Star Equity Holdings, Inc.

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