Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: AE) (“Adams” or
the “Company”) announced today that it has entered into a
definitive agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Tres Energy
LLC (“Buyer”) in an all-cash transaction that values the Company at
a total enterprise value (including bank debt and financial leases)
of approximately $138.9 million.
Under the terms of the agreement, Adams
stockholders will receive $38.00 per share in cash for each share
of Adams common stock owned as of the closing of the transaction.
The per share purchase price represents a 39% premium to the
Company’s closing share price of $27.32 on November 11, 2024, the
last full trading date prior to the announcement of the
transaction, and a 53% premium to the Company’s three-month
volume-weighted average per share price for the period ended
November 11, 2024. Upon completion of the transaction, the
Company’s shares will no longer trade on the NYSE American, and
Adams will become a private company.
“This transaction marks the successful
completion of a profitable journey for our shareholders and
fulfills our strategic goal to restructure the Company, unlocking
more value from our assets and operations. By returning to our
roots as a private company in partnership with Buyer, we will gain
efficiencies and create new entrepreneurial opportunities for both
the Company and our employees,” said Townes G. Pressler, Chairman
of the Adams Board of Directors.
Kevin Roycraft, Chief Executive Officer of
Adams, said, “We are thrilled to be a part of Buyer’s team. This
new chapter will empower us to innovate more freely and focus on
our long-term vision without the pressures of being a public
company. We believe this partnership will enhance our ability to
deliver exceptional value to our customers and employees, and we
look forward to embarking on this exciting journey together.”
Approvals and Timing
The Adams Board of Directors has unanimously
approved the transaction and recommends that stockholders vote in
favor of the transaction. The transaction is expected to close in
the first quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions,
including approval by Adams stockholders.
Advisors
GulfStar Group, Ltd. is serving as financial
advisor to Adams, Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. is serving as
financial advisor to the Adams Board of Directors, and Locke Lord
LLP is serving as legal counsel to Adams.
King & Spalding LLP is serving as legal
counsel to Tres Energy LLC and its affiliates.
Additional Information About the
Proposed Transaction and Where to Find It
This communication does not constitute an offer
to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any
securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. This
communication relates to a proposed transaction between Adams and
an affiliate of Buyer. In connection with this proposed
transaction, Adams intends to file one or more proxy statements on
Schedule 14A or other documents with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”). This communication is not a substitute for
any proxy statement or other document Adams may file with the SEC
in connection with the proposed transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY
HOLDERS OF ADAMS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER
DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR
ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL
CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Any definitive proxy statement(s)
(if and when available) will be mailed to stockholders of Adams as
applicable.
Investors and security holders will be able to
obtain free copies of these documents (if and when available) and
other documents filed with the SEC by Adams through the website
maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the
documents filed with the SEC by Adams will be available free of
charge on Adams internet website at
www.adamsresources.com/sec-filings or by contacting Adams’ Chief
Financial Officer by email at tohmart@adamsresources.com or by
phone at 713-881-3609.
Participants in the Solicitation of
Proxies
The directors and officers of the Company may be
deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect
of the proposed transaction. Information regarding the Company's
directors and officers and their respective interests in the
Company by security holdings or otherwise is available in (i) the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2023, including under the headings “Item 10. Directors,
Executive Officers and Corporate Governance”, “Item 11. Executive
Compensation”, “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” and “Item
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence”, which was filed with the SEC on March 13, 2024, (ii)
the Company's definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for its
2024 annual meeting of stockholders, including under the headings
“Item 1 -- Election of Directors”, “Executive Officers”, “Summary
Compensation Table”, “Compensation Overview”, “2023 Director
Compensation”, “Transactions with Related Persons” and “Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management”, which was
filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024 and (iii) subsequent statements
of changes in beneficial ownership on file with the SEC. Additional
information regarding the interests of such potential participants
is or will be included in the Proxy Statement and other relevant
materials to be filed with the SEC, when they become available,
including in connection with the solicitation of proxies to approve
the proposed transaction. These documents may be obtained free of
charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Company’s
website at www.adamsresources.com/sec-filings.
Forward-Looking Statements and
Information
This communication contains “forward-looking
statements” within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Any statements contained in this communication that are not
statements of historical fact, including statements about Adams’
ability to consummate the proposed transaction and the expected
benefits of the proposed transaction, may be deemed to be
forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are
intended to provide management’s current expectations for the
future of the Company based on current expectations and assumptions
relating to the Company’s business, the economy and other future
conditions. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified
through the use of words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “may,”
“should,” “will,” “plans,” “projects,” “expects,” “expectations,”
“estimates,” “forecasts,” “predicts,” “targets,” “prospects,”
“strategy,” “signs,” and other words of similar meaning in
connection with the discussion of future performance, plans,
actions or events. Because forward-looking statements relate to the
future, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and
changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Such risks
and uncertainties include, among others: (i) the failure to obtain
the required vote of Adams’ stockholders, (ii) the timing to
consummate the proposed transaction, (iii) the risk that a
condition of closing of the proposed transaction may not be
satisfied or that the closing of the proposed transaction might
otherwise not occur, (iv) risks related to disruption of management
time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed
transaction, (v) the risk that any announcements relating to the
proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price
of the common stock of Adams, (vi) the risk that the proposed
transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on
the ability of Adams to retain customers and retain and hire key
personnel and maintain relationships with its suppliers and
customers, (vii) the occurrence of any event, change or other
circumstance or condition that could give rise to the termination
of the merger agreement, including in circumstances requiring the
Company to pay a termination fee, (viii) unexpected costs, charges
or expenses resulting from the merger, (ix) potential litigation
relating to the merger that could be instituted against the parties
to the merger agreement or their respective directors, managers or
officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto,
(x) worldwide economic or political changes that affect the markets
that the Company’s businesses serve which could have an effect on
demand for the Company’s products and services and impact the
Company’s profitability, and (xi) disruptions in the global credit
and financial markets, including diminished liquidity and credit
availability, cyber-security vulnerabilities, crude oil pricing and
supply issues, retention of key employees, increases in fuel
prices, and outcomes of legal proceedings, claims and
investigations. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially
from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements.
Investors, therefore, are cautioned against relying on any of these
forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of
historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance.
Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual
results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements
is available in Adams’ filings with the SEC, including the risks
and uncertainties identified in Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors of
Adams’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2023 and in the Company’s other filings with the SEC.
There can be no assurance that the proposed
transaction will in fact be consummated. We caution investors not
to unduly rely on any forward-looking statements. The
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this
communication. The Company undertakes no obligation or duty to
update or revise any of these forward-looking statements after the
date of this communication, whether in response to new information,
future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable
law.
About Adams Resources & Energy,
Inc.
Adams Resources & Energy, Inc. is engaged in
crude oil marketing, transportation, terminalling and storage, tank
truck transportation of liquid chemicals and dry bulk and recycling
and repurposing of off-spec fuels, lubricants, crude oil and other
chemicals through its subsidiaries, GulfMark Energy, Inc., Service
Transport Company, Victoria Express Pipeline, L.L.C., GulfMark
Terminals, LLC, Phoenix Oil, Inc., and Firebird Bulk Carriers, Inc.
For more information, visit www.adamsresources.com.
About Tres Energy LLC
Tres Energy LLC is a privately held limited
liability company that invests in and operates strategic energy
assets across the United States. For more information, visit
www.tres-energy.com.
Company Contact
Tracy E. Ohmart EVP, Chief Financial Officer
tohmart@adamsresources.com (713) 881-3609
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