Atlas to Host Conference Call November 2 at 8:30 a.m.
Eastern Time
LONDON,
UK, Nov. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Atlas
("Atlas" or the "Company") (NYSE: ATCO) and Poseidon Acquisition
Corp. ("Poseidon"), an entity formed by certain affiliates of
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited ("Fairfax"), certain affiliates
of the Washington Family ("Washington"), David Sokol, Chairman of the Board of Atlas, and
Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. ("ONE"), and certain of their
respective affiliates today announced they have entered into a
definitive agreement under which Poseidon will acquire Atlas in an
all-cash transaction for an enterprise value of approximately
$10.9 billion.
Under the terms of the agreement, Poseidon will acquire all
outstanding common shares of Atlas not owned by Fairfax,
Washington and Mr. Sokol for
$15.50 per share in cash. Fairfax,
Washington and Mr. Sokol currently
own approximately 68% of the outstanding common shares. Atlas will
continue payment of all ordinary course quarterly dividends
regardless of the timing of any closing. The per share purchase
price represents a 34% premium to Atlas' unaffected share price as
of August 4, 2022, the last trading
day prior to a publicly disclosed proposal from Poseidon to acquire
Atlas.
"We are pleased to have reached this agreement which, through
the combination with Poseidon, introduces Atlas to an important
corporate sponsor in the form of ONE," said Nicholas Pitts-Tucker, Chair of the Special
Committee of the Board of Atlas ("Special Committee"). "The
agreement also provides Atlas' minority shareholders with a certain
cash outcome due to be paid on closing, subject to the approval of
a majority of the minority shareholders. Today's announcement is
the result of a comprehensive process in which the Special
Committee, with the assistance of external financial and legal
advisers, carefully considered Poseidon's proposal and other
strategic alternatives available to Atlas. Fairfax, Washington, Mr. Sokol and ONE will be
outstanding partners as Atlas advances its operational improvements
and drives growth to support its customers and enhance
opportunities for its employees."
"Atlas has continued to develop its long-term strategic
partnerships and differentiated business model to position the
Company for sustainable and quality growth. We believe this
transaction with Poseidon is an exciting culmination of those
efforts for our shareholders," said Bing Chen, President and CEO
Atlas Corp. "As we look at the industry's trajectory, we believe
the financial, operational and strategic flexibility we will gain
as a privately held company with this group of owners and investors
will position Atlas, our employees and customers for greater
opportunity. I want to thank all Atlas employees for their
continued dedication and hard work. This transaction is a testament
to our team's unwavering commitment to customers and consistent
execution. I look forward to continuing to work with David and the
rest of the Atlas team as we continue our progress, including
preparing for the launch of our new vessel fleet, which we expect
to be fully delivered by 2024."
"Poseidon Acquisition Corp. is pleased to have reached this
agreement to acquire the Atlas Corp. shares not previously owned by
our shareholders," said Mr. Sokol. "We all look forward to
continuing our relationship with our talented CEO Bing Chen and the
excellent Atlas, Seaspan and APR Energy employees under his
direction."
Closing and Leadership
The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2023,
subject to approval by holders of a majority of Atlas common shares
not owned by Poseidon and its affiliates and certain closing
conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals and
third-party consents.
Upon the closing of the transaction, Atlas common shares will
cease trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). Atlas
preferred shares will continue trading on the NYSE under current
terms.
Following completion of the transaction, Washington and Fairfax will own a majority of
the equity of Atlas. Mr. Chen will continue to serve as President
and CEO of Atlas and will contribute his equity in Atlas to become
an owner of the Company along with Poseidon.
Third Quarter 2022 Financial
Results
Atlas plans to release its financial results for the quarter
ended September 30, 2022, after the
market closes on Tuesday, November 1,
2022.
Atlas plans to host a conference call for all shareholders and
interested parties at 8:30 a.m. Eastern
Time on November 2, 2022, to
discuss the results. To attend the conference call or webcast,
participants should register online at
ir.atlascorporation.com/events-and-presentations, and you will be
provided with details to access the event. To avoid delays,
participants are encouraged to register a day in advance or at a
minimum 15 minutes before the start of the call. A replay of the
call will also be available approximately two hours following the
conclusion of the call and accessible until November 1, 2023, on the same webpage.
Advisors
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor to
the Special Committee and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and
Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP are serving as legal
advisors to the Special Committee. Citi is serving as financial
advisor to ONE and Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as legal
advisor to ONE. Torys LLP is serving as legal advisor to Fairfax,
K&L Gates LLP is serving as legal advisor to Washington, and Honigman LLP is serving as
legal advisor to David Sokol and
Poseidon.
About Atlas
Atlas is a leading global asset management company,
differentiated by its position as a best-in-class owner and
operator with a focus on disciplined capital deployment to create
sustainable shareholder value. We target long-term, risk-adjusted
returns across high-quality infrastructure assets in the maritime
sector, energy sector and other infrastructure verticals. For more
information, visit atlascorporation.com. Information on the
Company's website is not part of this release.
About Fairfax Financial Holdings
Limited
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited is a holding company which,
through its subsidiaries, is primarily engaged in property and
casualty insurance and reinsurance and the associated investment
management.
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements
included in this press release other than statements of historical
fact, including, but not limited to, expectations regarding the
timing, benefits and impact of the transaction, are forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements represent Atlas'
estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this release and
are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. As a
result, you are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements in this release are
estimates and assumptions reflecting the judgment of senior
management and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties.
These forward-looking statements are based upon a number of
assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to
significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are
beyond Atlas' control (including actions by third parties and
regulatory authorities). Actual results may differ materially from
those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Accordingly, all forward-looking statements should be considered in
light of various important factors listed above and including, but
not limited to, those set forth in "Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk
Factors" in Atlas' Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2021 on Form 20-F filed with the SEC
on March 24, 2022, and in its
subsequent filings with the SEC. Atlas does not intend to revise
any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any change in
its expectations or events or circumstances that may subsequently
arise. Atlas expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise
any of these forward-looking statements, whether because of future
events, new information, a change in Atlas' views or expectations,
or otherwise. You should carefully review and consider the various
disclosures included in Atlas' Annual Report and in Atlas' other
filings made with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties
of the risks and factors that may affect Atlas' businesses,
prospects and results of operations.
Certain participants in the transaction between Atlas and
Poseidon will prepare and file with the SEC a Schedule 13E-3
Transaction Statement, which will contain important information on
Atlas, the parties to the transaction, the transaction and related
matters, including the terms and conditions of the transaction.
Shareholders of Atlas are urged to carefully read these documents,
as they may be amended from time to time, before making any
decision with respect to the transaction. The Schedule 13E-3 and
all other documents filed with the SEC in connection with the
transaction will be available when filed, free of charge, on the
SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In addition, these documents will be
made available, free of charge, to shareholders of Atlas who make a
written request to the investor contacts named in this release.
This announcement is neither a solicitation of a proxy, an offer to
purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities and
it is not a substitute for any filings that may be made with the
SEC should the transaction proceed.
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SOURCE Atlas Corp.