HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwired - May 23, 2016) - KBR, Inc. (NYSE: KBR)
- Strategic acquisition provides expansion into complementary market segments, largely based in U.S.
- Creates a full service, global Government Services organization executing $2 billion worth of contracts annually in a growing market
- Takes KBR's U.S. Government Services business into highly technical specialty services
- Adds immediate earnings power and positive cash flow
KBR, Inc. (NYSE: KBR) announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Wyle, Inc., a leading provider of specialized
engineering, and professional, scientific and technical services primarily to the U.S. federal government.
Wyle delivers an array of cutting edge, custom solutions that drive mission success for customers in the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA and
other federal agencies. Wyle's expertise includes systems and sustainment engineering, program and acquisition management, life science
research, space medical operations, information technology and the testing and evaluation of aircraft, advanced systems and networks.
This acquisition will combine KBR's strengths in international, large-scale government logistics and support operations with Wyle's specialized
technical services, largely focused in the contiguous U.S. The addition of Wyle's highly advanced capabilities significantly expands KBR's global
Government Services offerings, moving the business towards the high growth, more specialized, technology- and science-driven sources of
long-term annuity type revenues with greater differentiation and higher margins, all of which are consistent with our previously announced
strategy. Together with Wyle, KBR will now provide capabilities that span the full spectrum of the life-cycle of aerospace and defense programs
from research and development, through test and evaluation, to operations, maintenance, and field logistics.
"Expanding our government services capabilities and service offerings into more profitable and complementary market segments is a key part
of KBR's growth strategy," said Stuart Bradie, President and CEO of KBR, Inc. "This strategic acquisition creates the equivalent of a global $2
billion Government Services organization with full service capabilities drawing on the best in class capabilities of both organizations."
"Adding Wyle's highly specialized and differentiated offerings to our global government services portfolio improves KBR's overall risk profile by
expanding into other government funding sources for higher-margin and largely cost-reimbursable work," Bradie continued. "This acquisition
provides us with broader relationships with U.S. Government clients and grows our U.S. presence by acquiring a highly respected U.S.-focused
franchise. The acquisition is expected to be accretive in the first year and provide longer term synergistic opportunities in markets where KBR's
large-scale logistics and project management capabilities combine with Wyle's specialized technical capabilities," said Bradie.
Wyle will become a KBR business unit within KBR's Government Services segment and will maintain much of its current structure to ensure
business continuity. KBR and Wyle's management teams will be highly focused on a successful transition which retains Wyle's greatest asset, its
3,800 professionals, while also capitalizing on the new opportunities of the combined company across all of Government Services regions
including the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Asia Pacific (APAC). As of year-end 2015, Wyle's funded backlog was $440
million with an additional $1.1 billion of orders not yet funded, but expected.
One hundred percent of Wyle's business will be acquired through the acquisition of shares pursuant to a merger sub-transaction structure. The
transaction price to KBR is $570 million, after adjustments for approximately $30 million of acquired tax benefits, and subject to other
customary adjustments, including for net working capital, net cash and indebtedness of Wyle. The transaction is expected to be immediately
accretive to KBR's earnings per share and will initially be funded by utilizing KBR's existing line of credit facility and approximately $200 million
in cash.
The transaction has been unanimously approved by the KBR Board of Directors and is subject to certain regulatory approvals and customary
closing conditions. The closing is expected to occur in the third quarter of 2016.
Transaction Discussion Webcast
KBR will hold a public webcast today, 5/23/2016, at 8 a.m. Central Time (9 a.m. Eastern Time) to discuss the transaction. Individuals may find
the presentation for the webcast on KBR's website under the investor relations section. The live webcast can also be accessed in the United
States/Canada at 1.888.430-8705 and outside the U.S. at +1.719.457.2727 with the passcode 4015382. A replay of the webcast will be available
on KBR's website for seven days after the call. Also, a replay may be accessed by telephone at +1.719.457.0820 or toll free at 1.888.203.1112,
passcode 4015382.
About KBR, Inc.
KBR, Inc. is a global technology, engineering, procurement and construction company serving the hydrocarbons and government services industries, employing approximately 22,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in 40 countries across
three distinct global businesses:
- Technology & Consulting, including proprietary technology in refining, ethylene, ammonia and fertilizers, and gasification; and niche
consulting and know-how through subsidiaries Granherne, Energo and GVA
- Engineering & Construction, including Offshore Oil & Gas; Onshore Oil & Gas; LNG/GTL; Refining; Petrochemicals; Chemicals;
differentiated EPC, and Industrial Services
- Government Services, including program management and long term annuity contracts
KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added consulting services, integrated EPC delivery and
Long Term Industrial Services to ensure consistent project delivery with predictable results. At KBR, we deliver.
Visit www.kbr.com
Forward Looking Statement
The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding future financial performance, are forwardlooking
statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of
which are beyond the company's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the
statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the outcome of and the publicity surrounding audits and investigations
by domestic and foreign government agencies and legislative bodies; potential adverse proceedings by such agencies and potential adverse
results and consequences from such proceedings; the scope and enforceability of the company's indemnities from its former parent; changes in
capital spending by the company's customers; the company's ability to obtain contracts from existing and new customers and perform under
those contracts; structural changes in the industries in which the company operates; escalating costs associated with and the performance of
fixed-fee projects and the company's ability to control its cost under its contracts; claims negotiations and contract disputes with the company's
customers; changes in the demand for or price of oil and/or natural gas; protection of intellectual property rights; compliance with
environmental laws; changes in government regulations and regulatory requirements; compliance with laws related to income taxes; unsettled
political conditions, war and the effects of terrorism; foreign operations and foreign exchange rates and controls; the development and
installation of financial systems; increased competition for employees; the ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; and
operations of joint ventures, including joint ventures that are not controlled by the company.
KBR's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks, and other Securities and Exchange Commission
filings discuss some of the important risk factors that KBR has identified that may affect the business, results of operations and financial
condition. Except as required by law, KBR undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.