Two Atlanta-based communications providers are to join forces. Birch Communications, Inc., a provider of business, cloud, and managed services, and Cbeyond, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBEY), a provider of managed technology services to small and mid-sized businesses, have entered into a definitive agreement under which Birch will acquire Cbeyond in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $323 million.
Cbeyond stockholders will receive between $9.97 and $10.00 per share in cash. The exact amount will be determined based on stock transactions relating to previously granted stock awards to employees that occur after execution of the definitive agreement. At $9.97 per share, the purchase price represents a premium of 56.8% over Cbeyond’s stock price on November 5, 2013, the trading date before Cbeyond announced its process to explore strategic alternatives, and a premium of 40.8% over the closing price of Cbeyond's stock on Thursday, April 17, 2014.
Birch says the transaction will create a nationwide communications, cloud, and managed services provider with approximately $700 million in annual revenue and approximately 200,000 business customers located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The company’s nationwide IP-based network covers approximately 10,000 fiber route miles, over 500 fiber-lit buildings, 570 collocations, and five data centers.
The new entity will serve customers at every stage of their business lifecycle - from an initial startup, to all sectors of the small- and medium-sized business (SMB) marketplace, to an enterprise requiring a national solution across multiple offices and data centers, according to Birch.
"This transaction will create a nationwide communications and technology services powerhouse and significantly advances our strategy to drive top-line revenue growth by enhancing the premier communications, cloud, and managed services that are available to our business customers," said Vincent M. Oddo, president and CEO of Birch." The combined company will have a nationwide IP-network with a significant fiber infrastructure, an extensive data center presence in multiple markets, and a relentless focus on providing superior customer service."
James Geiger, founder, chairman of the board, and chief executive officer of Cbeyond added, "After a thorough six-month strategic review process in which we evaluated a wide range of alternatives in addition to a sale, the Cbeyond board of directors determined that this all-cash transaction with Birch maximizes stockholder value through an attractive premium."
"We look forward to welcoming the Cbeyond customers and employees into the Birch family in the very near future. Providing award-winning customer service will continue to be our number-one priority as we move forward as a combined company," said Chris Aversano, COO of Birch. "Having successfully completed more than 20 acquisitions, we are confident in our ability to execute a fast and seamless integration. We’ve already started on our integration planning and, as in prior transactions, we expect to begin implementation of those plans upon the closing."
"We also look forward to integrating the Cbeyond sales organization, including management, representatives, partners, dealers and support staff into the Birch sales family," said Christopher Ramsey, chief sales and marketing officer of Birch. "We are committed to making this a smooth and productive transition for all divisions of the sales organization."
The transaction, which is expected to close within six months, was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, they say.
Birch has obtained financing commitments from PNC Capital Markets LLC and Jefferies Finance LLC.
For more information on high-speed transmission systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.
Want to learn more about optical network innovation? Attend the Lightwave Optical Innovation Summit The Lightwave Optical Innovation Summit will feature panels and presentations that will illuminate where optical innovation is required in carrier and enterprise/data center networks, what it should look like, and when it might appear. A wide range of experts from the user, technology development, academic, and analyst communities will offer their views on innovation in a variety of areas. Find out more about the Summit, which will be held in Austin, TX, July 14-16, at the Lightwave Optical Innovation Summit website.