Will Significantly Expand URS Presence in Fast-Growing Segments of
North American Oil and Gas Industry, Particularly in Unconventional Oil
and Gas Extraction
Acquisition Expected to be Accretive to URS 2012 GAAP Earnings, Adds
Substantial Oil and Gas Backlog
URS Also Provides Fiscal 2012 Financial Guidance
SAN FRANCISCO & CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 20, 2012--
URS Corporation (NYSE: URS) and Flint Energy Services Ltd. (TSX: FES)
today announced a definitive agreement under which URS will acquire
Flint for C$25.00 per share in cash, or C$1.25 billion (US$1.25
billion). URS also will assume approximately C$225 million (US$225
million) in Flint debt. The transaction, which has been approved
unanimously by the URS and Flint Boards of Directors, will significantly
expand URS’ opportunities to serve clients in the oil and gas industry.
Flint, a leading provider of construction services for the oil and gas
industry, currently supports many of the largest companies operating in
the oil, oil sands and gas producing regions of Western Canada and in
the Southwest, Appalachian and Rocky Mountain regions of the United
States.
The acquisition will be implemented through a court-approved Plan of
Arrangement under Canadian law and is subject to the approval of Flint
security holders, relevant regulatory approvals and other customary
closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the second
quarter of 2012, to be accretive to URS’ 2012 GAAP earnings, and to
increase URS’ revenues from the oil and gas sector to approximately 22%
of total revenues.
Flint has approximately 10,000 employees and a network of approximately
80 locations in North America. The company’s diversified activities span
the full cycle of oil and gas exploration and production, including
constructing well pads, moving rigs, manufacturing processing equipment,
installing small and mid-diameter pipelines, transporting fluids,
performing a wide range of mid-cycle production services, and
constructing and maintaining large oil sands facilities. Revenues from
Western Canada’s oil, oil sands and gas producing regions accounted for
approximately 80% of Flint’s revenues for the trailing twelve months
from September 30, 2011, with the remaining 20% coming from the United
States. Flint is expected to add approximately $3.5 billion to URS’ book
of business upon closing. Following the close of the transaction, Flint
will become a new division of URS, led by W. J. (Bill) Lingard, Flint’s
President and Chief Executive Officer, as the Division President.
Martin M. Koffel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of URS, said,
“Expanding our presence in the oil and gas sector has been a
longstanding strategic priority for URS. Flint is one of North America’s
leading fully integrated production and construction services providers
to the oil and gas sector, with many long-duration construction
contracts and multi-year maintenance agreements. Through this
combination, URS will be well positioned in segments of the oil and gas
industry that we expect to have attractive margins and growth rates. In
addition, by joining with URS, Flint will be able to offer its base of
multinational clients the full range of engineering, procurement and
construction management services through URS’ existing operations.”
Stuart O’Connor, Chairman of Flint’s Board of Directors said, “We are
very pleased with the arrangement with URS. It delivers a significant
cash premium to our stockholders while also allowing Flint to accelerate
the growth of its business by offering a more complete suite of services
to clients.”
Mr. Lingard added, “Having access to URS’ pool of talented and
experienced construction managers will allow Flint to oversee more
projects simultaneously and drive revenue growth. Flint’s employees
should also benefit from and enjoy more opportunities to work on a wider
range of complex projects in both Canada and the United States. We look
forward to working with our URS colleagues to achieve the exciting
potential of the combination.”
H. Thomas Hicks, Chief Financial Officer of URS, said, “We expect this
transaction will build significant long-term value for our stockholders.
Flint offers a diversified, full cycle of services, has limited exposure
to fixed price contracts and derives its earnings entirely from
operations in the stable North American region. Assuming a second
quarter close, we expect to achieve pre-tax cost synergies of US$10-$15
million in 2012, with additional savings expected in the following years
as we benefit from economies of scale. We expect the transaction to be
accretive to URS’ 2012 EPS between US$0.20 and US$0.30 per share, which
reflects expected acquisition related costs, estimated amortization of
intangible assets and the estimated cost synergies discussed above.”
URS has financing in place to complete the acquisition under its
existing credit facility and a financing commitment for a new bridge
facility. Permanent financing is expected to consist of borrowings under
URS’ existing credit facility and new debt. Said Mr. Hicks, “URS
intends, as in past acquisitions, to use its strong cash flows to reduce
debt quickly, while retaining the flexibility to continue to invest in
the business and, when debt levels have been reduced, pursue additional
growth opportunities.”
URS Fiscal 2012 Outlook
On a standalone basis, URS expects that its fiscal 2012 revenues will be
between $9.9 billion and $10.1 billion, net income will be between $292
and $300 million and EPS will be between $3.95 and $4.05. URS will
provide full details about its financial results for 2011, and
expectations for 2012, on its previously announced fourth quarter and
full year 2011 earnings conference call on Monday, February 27, 2012.
The Arrangement
The acquisition will be implemented through a Plan of Arrangement under
Canadian law and is subject to a number of customary conditions for a
transaction of this nature including, but not limited to, the approval
of at least 66 and 2/3% of the votes cast in person or by proxy by Flint
shareholders and option holders at a special meeting of Flint's security
holders, as well as court and relevant regulatory approvals. The terms
and conditions of the arrangement and additional details of the
transaction will be summarized in Flint’s management information
circular, which is expected to be filed and mailed to Flint’s
shareholders in early March 2012. A copy of the arrangement agreement
will be filed on Flint’s SEDAR profile and will be available for viewing
at www.sedar.com.
The special meeting of Flint security holders is scheduled to be held on
April 3, 2012, with closing expected to occur in the second quarter of
2012.
The arrangement agreement is subject to customary non-solicit provisions
and Flint’s right to consider and accept superior proposals. In the
event of a superior proposal, URS will have a five-business-day right to
match the superior proposal. If the arrangement is not completed as a
result of a superior proposal, or for other certain specified
circumstances, a termination fee equal to C$42 million will be paid by
Flint to URS.
After receiving financial and legal advice, the members of the Board of
Directors of Flint voting on the resolution unanimously determined that
the arrangement is in the best interests of Flint, and resolved to
support the arrangement and to recommend that its shareholders and
option holders vote in favor of the arrangement. The financial advisor
to Flint’s Board of Directors has provided an opinion that subject to
the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth therein, the
consideration to be received by holders of common shares pursuant to the
arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.
All of the members of Flint’s Board of Directors and certain senior
officers and certain related shareholders, who collectively own
approximately 8% of the outstanding Flint shares, have agreed to vote
their shares in favor of the acquisition.
Advisors on the Transaction
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor to URS, and Osler,
Hoskin & Harcourt LLP served as URS’ Canadian legal counsel. Additional
legal counsel was provided by Latham & Watkins LLP and Cooley LLP.
Credit Suisse Securities (Canada), Inc. acted as financial advisor to
Flint, and Bennett Jones LLP served as Flint’s legal counsel. Additional
U.S. legal counsel was provided to Flint by Hall, Estill, Hardwick,
Gable, Golden, & Nelson P.C. A copy of the Credit Suisse opinion and
other factors considered by the Flint Board of Directors and other
relevant background information will be included in the management
information circular that will be mailed to Flint security holders.
Conference Call Information
URS and Flint will host a conference call on Tuesday, February 21, 2012,
at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss the transaction. The dial-in number for
United States callers is (877) 479-8714 and the dial-in number for
participants located outside of the United States is (706) 634-5188. The
passcode for all callers is 51655009. A slide presentation and live
audio webcast of the call will be available at www.urs.com
and at http://ursflint.acquisitioninformation.com.
A replay of the conference call will be available beginning the
afternoon of Tuesday, February 21, 2012, and can be accessed by dialing
(855) 859-2056 from within the United States or (404) 537-3406 from
outside of the United States. The passcode for the replay is 51655009.
About URS Corporation
URS Corporation (NYSE: URS) is a leading provider of engineering,
construction and technical services for public agencies and private
sector companies around the world. The Company offers a full range of
program management; planning, design and engineering; systems
engineering and technical assistance; construction and construction
management; operations and maintenance; information technology; and
decommissioning and closure services. URS provides services for power,
infrastructure, industrial and commercial, and federal projects and
programs. Headquartered in San Francisco, URS Corporation has more than
47,000 employees in a network of offices in more than 40 countries (www.urs.com
).
About Flint Energy Services Ltd.
Flint Energy Services Ltd. (TSX: FES) is a leading service company
providing an expanding range of integrated products and services for the
oil and gas industry including: production services; infrastructure
construction; oilfield transportation; and maintenance services. With
approximately 10,000 employees, Flint provides this unique breadth of
products and services through 80 strategic locations in the oil and gas
producing areas of Western North America, from Inuvik in the Northwest
Territories to Mission, Texas on the Mexican border. Flint is a
preferred provider of infrastructure construction management, module
fabrication, maintenance services for upgrading, and production
facilities in Alberta's oil sands sector (www.flintenergy.com
).
Forward-Looking Statements by URS
Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts
may constitute forward-looking statements, including statements relating
to future revenue and earnings guidance, the anticipated closing and
benefits of the Flint Energy Services Ltd. Acquisition to URS, including
its future financial and earnings impact, future economies of scale and
business synergies, future book of business, future business
opportunities, expectations regarding market growth, margin and future
capital spending by the North American energy industry, the expected
closing of the acquisition, future acquisition financing and other
future business, economic and industry conditions. Words such as
“expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,”
“intend,” “increasingly,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,”
“believe,” “optimistic,” “confident,” “potential,” “continue” and
similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking
statements. URS believes that its expectations are reasonable and are
based on reasonable assumptions; however, we caution you against relying
on any of our forward-looking statements as such forward-looking
statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties. A variety of
risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the following,
could cause our business and financial results, as well as the timing of
events, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in
forward-looking statements: whether Flint Energy Services Ltd.
securityholders will approve the acquisition; whether and when approval
of Canadian court and other required regulatory approvals will be
obtained; whether any of the other conditions to closing of the
acquisition will be satisfied; whether another bidder may make a
superior offer for Flint Energy Services Ltd; whether any of the
anticipated benefits of the acquisition will be realized; potential
difficulties that may be encountered in integrating the businesses,
economic weakness and declines in client spending; potential impact of
reduced oil commodity prices; changes in our book of business; our
compliance with government contract procurement regulations; employee,
agent or partner misconduct; our ability to procure government
contracts; liabilities for pending and future litigation; the potential
impact of environmental issues and liabilities; availability of bonding
and insurance; our reliance on government appropriations; unilateral
termination provisions in government contracts; our ability to make
accurate estimates and assumptions; our accounting policies; workforce
utilization; our and our partners' ability to bid on, win, perform and
renew contracts and projects; liquidated damages; our dependence on
partners, subcontractors and suppliers; customer payment defaults; our
ability to recover on claims; impact of target and fixed priced
contracts on earnings; the inherent dangers at our project sites;
impairment of our goodwill; the impact of changes in laws and
regulations; nuclear indemnifications and insurance; a decline in
defense spending; industry competition; our ability to attract and
retain key individuals; retirement plan obligations; our leveraged
position and the ability to service our debt; restrictive covenants in
our credit agreement; risks associated with international operations;
business activities in high security risk countries; third-party
software risks; natural and man-made disaster risks; our relationships
with labor unions; our ability to protect our intellectual property
rights; anti-takeover risks and other factors discussed more fully in
URS’ Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2011 as well as in
other reports subsequently filed from time to time with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking
statements represent URS’ current expectations and intentions as of the
date on which made and we assume no obligation to revise or update any
forward-looking statements.
Forward-Looking Statements by Flint
This press release contains forward-looking statements and
forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities
laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue",
"estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should",
"believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements or information. More particularly
and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking
statements and information concerning: the anticipated benefits of the
Arrangement to Flint and its securityholders, the timing and anticipated
receipt of required regulatory, court, securityholder approvals for the
Arrangement; the ability of Flint and URS to satisfy the other
conditions to, and to complete, the Arrangement; and the anticipated
timing of the mailing of the information circular regarding the
Arrangement and the closing of the Arrangement.
In respect of the forward-looking statements and information concerning
the anticipated completion of the proposed Arrangement and the
anticipated timing for completion of the Arrangement, Flint has provided
such in reliance on certain assumptions that it believes are reasonable
at this time, including assumptions as to the time required to prepare
and mail Flint securityholder meeting materials, including the required
information circular; the ability of the parties to receive, in a timely
manner, the necessary regulatory, court, securityholder and other third
party approvals, including but not limited to the Investment Canada Act
approval and the ability of the parties to satisfy, in a timely manner,
the other conditions to the closing of the Arrangement. These dates may
change for a number of reasons, including unforeseen delays in preparing
meeting materials, inability to secure necessary securityholder,
regulatory, court or other third party approvals in the time assumed or
the need for additional time to satisfy the other conditions to the
completion of the Arrangement. Accordingly, readers should not place
undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information
contained in this press release concerning these times.
Risks and uncertainties inherent in the nature of the Arrangement
include the failure of Flint or URS to obtain necessary securityholder,
regulatory, court and other third party approvals, or to otherwise
satisfy the conditions to the Arrangement, in a timely manner, or at
all. Failure to so obtain such approvals, or the failure of Flint or URS
to otherwise satisfy the conditions to the Arrangement, may result in
the Arrangement not being completed on the proposed terms, or at all. In
addition, the failure of Flint to comply with the terms of the
Arrangement Agreement may result in Flint being required to pay a
non-completion or other fee to URS, the result of which could have a
material adverse effect on Flint's financial position and results of
operations and its ability to fund growth prospects and current
operations.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not
exhaustive. Additional information on other factors that could affect
the operations or financial results of Flint are included in reports on
file with applicable securities regulatory authorities, including but
not limited to: Flint’s Annual Information Form for the year ended
December 31, 2010 and the Flint’s Notice of Annual General Meeting and
Information Circular and Proxy Statement dated March 31, 2011, each of
which may be accessed on Flint's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
The forward-looking statements and information contained in this press
release are made as of the date hereof and Flint undertakes no
obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements
or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.
GAAP and IFRS Financial Measures
Flint’s historical financial statements for its fiscal year ended
December 31, 2010, were prepared in accordance with Canadian generally
accepted accounting principles and its 2011 subsequent fiscal quarters
were prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting
Standards 1, First time Adoption of International Financial Reporting
Standards, and with International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 34,
Interim Financial Reporting, as issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board (“IASB”). All pro forma combined financial information
is based upon a combination of URS’ historical financial statements
prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting
principles (GAAP) and Flint’s historical financial statements prepared
in accordance with IFRS. Flint has not reconciled its historical
financial statements to U.S. GAAP.
This release also contains prospective financial measures that are not
calculated in accordance with GAAP, including prospective estimated
acquisition costs, estimated amortization of intangible assets and
estimated cost synergies. Management does not believe it is able to
reconcile this information without unreasonable effort. URS’ management
believes that these U.S. non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful
supplemental information regarding the expected benefits of the
acquisition to investors in URS.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release is not intended to and does not constitute an offer
to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an
invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the
solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the
acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or
transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of
applicable law.

Source: URS Corporation
URS Corporation
Sam Ramraj, 415-774-2700
Vice
President, Investor Relations
or
Sard Verbinnen & Co
Hugh
Burns/Jamie Tully/Briana Kelly, 212-687-8080
or
Flint
Energy Services
Guy Cocquyt, 403-218-7195
Vice President
Communications