TESSCO’s stock soared toward a two-year high yesterday after a buyout deal at more than a 90% premium was announced. The merger agreement with entities affiliated with Lee Equity Partners and Twin Point Capital, which also own Alliance Corporation and GetWireless is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023.
TESSCO Technologies announced that the company has entered into a definitive merger agreement with entities affiliated with Lee Equity Partners and Twin Point Capital, which also own Alliance Corporation (“Alliance”), a value-added distributor of equipment for the wireless industry, and GetWireless, LLC (“GetWireless”), a value-added distributor of cellular solutions that connect the Internet of Things (IoT). Under the merger agreement’s terms, all outstanding shares of the company’s common stock will be acquired for $9.00 in cash, resulting in a company enterprise value of approximately $161.4 million.
The merger, which has been unanimously approved by TESSCO’s board of directors, reflects a premium of approximately 91% to the closing price of the last trading day before the date of this announcement and a premium of roughly 97% to TESSCO’s 30-day volume-weighted average stock price as of April 11, 2023. After yesterday’s announcement, shares of TESSCO shot up 88% to a two-year high.
The merger is expected to close in the third calendar quarter of 2023, subject to the approval of TESSCO’s shareholders and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Following the closing of the transaction, TESSCO will maintain its facilities in Hunt Valley and Timonium, Maryland, and in Reno, Nevada, as well as broaden its facility footprint, product offering, and value-added capabilities by partnering with Alliance and GetWireless to create a leading value-added telecommunications distributor in North America.
“This deal is a win for TESSCO shareholders and our customers,” said Sandip Mukherjee, TESSCO’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The transaction price and premium reflect the success of our considerable turnaround efforts over the past three years and TESSCO’s current growth trajectory. Moreover, our customers will benefit from a greater breadth of products and service options as we team with two companies that are true leaders in serving the wireless industry and that share our commitment to innovation and customer service.”
“We are excited about the prospects for partnering with TESSCO, given its first-rate management team, technical competency, strong supplier relationships, and fantastic partnerships in the carrier and value-added reseller and integrator markets,” said Ron Moss, CEO of Alliance. “We look forward to continuing to serve the growing and increasingly complex needs of the wireless telecommunications industry and providing our customers with a comprehensive portfolio of the highest quality products and services.”