FALLS CHURCH, Va., Oct. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PAE (NASDAQ: PAE, PAEWW), a global leader in delivering smart solutions to the U.S. government and its allies, today announced that its subsidiary has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CENTRA Technology, Inc., a leading independent provider of high-end intelligence support, information analytics, engineering services and other advanced technology solutions, for approximately $208 million (net of tax benefits) in cash. This represents a transaction multiple of approximately 8.8x CY2020 adjusted EBITDA, adjusted for the net present value of tax assets and estimated cost synergies.

PAE President and CEO John Heller commented:

“The acquisition firmly aligns with PAE’s strategy of expanding the business to higher-margin market areas. By acquiring CENTRA, PAE realizes a significant milestone in the execution of our strategic growth plan to be a provider of innovative, higher margin, knowledge-based offerings in attractive, resilient end markets. This exciting opportunity builds on our intelligence analysis capabilities while increasing customer access, accelerating growth and enhancing shareholder value. Additionally, the acquisition of CENTRA is expected to be accretive to adjusted EBITDA margins and free cash flow.”

CENTRA is an intelligence analysis service provider focused on providing mission critical services to the intelligence community and other U.S. national and homeland security customers. Headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, CENTRA has more than 760 employees, a majority of whom have top secret clearances with subject matter expertise across a broad range of critical national security issues.

"This transaction will further enhance CENTRA’s capabilities and create new opportunities for our customers and employees," said Jack Barry, Chief Operating Officer of CENTRA Technology. “The customers, contracts and offerings of each business complement each other well and will be attractive for all stakeholders."

Strategic and Financial Benefits of the Acquisition

• Significantly Increases Addressable Market: Transaction increases PAE’s total addressable market by approximately $36 billion in annual spending; provides PAE the ability to actionably pursue several large contracts in new market segments.
• Broadens Service and Technology Offerings: Brings new, value-add service and technology offerings to the portfolio; including intelligence analysis, communication systems integration and research and development services.
• Expands Customer Footprint and Contract Vehicles:Adds new customers within the Intelligence Community and Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, in addition to providing access to several large contract vehicles.
• Provides Additional Stability to Financial Profile:CENTRA’s contract portfolio is highlighted by low levels of recompete risk coupled with several recent large new business wins that provide approximately $1 billion of backlog, or about 4x CY2020 revenue estimates.
• Adds Uniquely Qualified Employees to Workforce: Provides highly skilled and cleared professionals, including about 700 employees with Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearances with subject matter expertise across a range of critical national security issues.

Financing and Approvals

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both PAE and CENTRA and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2020, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. PAE expects to fund the purchase price of approximately $208 million with cash on hand and utilization of its delayed draw term loan.

Advisors

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP acted as legal advisor and Renaissance Strategic Advisors, LLC acted as strategic advisor to PAE in connection with the transaction.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP acted as legal advisor and Citizens Capital Markets, Inc. acted as financial advisor to CENTRA in connection with the transaction.

About PAE

For 65 years, PAE has tackled the world’s toughest challenges to deliver agile and steadfast solutions to the U.S. government and its allies. With a global workforce of approximately 20,000 on all seven continents and in approximately 60 countries, PAE delivers a broad range of operational support services to meet the critical needs of our clients. Our headquarters is in Falls Church, Virginia. Find us online at pae.com, on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.