MML
CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC
Stamford Harbor Park
333 Ludlow Street
Stamford, CT 06902 USA
tel: 203 323 9118
fax: 203 323 9119
May 19, 2009
The Board of Directors
Argyle Security, Inc.
12903 Delivery Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78247
Members of the Board of Directors:
MML Capital Partners LLC, on behalf of itself and its affiliates (MML) is pleased to submit this
offer to acquire the outstanding shares of common stock (the Common Stock) of Argyle Security,
Inc. (Argyle or the Company) subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this letter (the
Offer Letter).
Founded in 1988, MML is a leading Pan-European and Transatlantic investment management firm. MML
has offices in London, Paris, Frankfurt and Stamford, CT and has invested over $1.7 billion in over
80 companies across 11 countries. MML is now investing its fourth fund over which we have
discretionary management.
This proposal reflects our belief that all constituents, especially the common shareholders, are
best served by Argyle being taken private through the proposed transaction.
Offer Summary. Our offer allows for the Companys shareholders to receive a cash purchase
price of $1.00 per share. This purchase price implies an enterprise value of $54.6 million based
upon Argyles debt and preferred outstanding (including accrued dividends) as of its most recent
public quarterly filing. This enterprise valuation equates to 31.5x trailing consolidated earnings
before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) (excluding goodwill impairment
charges) through March 31, 2009. Our offer represents a premium of approximately 120% and 40% to
the 30 day average closing price of the Companys common stock as quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board
and the closing price as of May 19, 2009, respectively.
Transaction Rationale. Argyle experienced significant internal challenges resulting in cost
overruns and margins that were well below expectations in 2008. The Company achieved a gross
margin of 15.1% which was materially below the prior years result of 22.7%. This margin erosion,
combined with high operating costs, contributed to the Company reporting a 2008 net loss of ($31.2)
million, or to ($5.38) per share.
LONDON PARIS FRANKFURT STAMFORD
May 19, 2009
According to the Companys recently released Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009,
total revenue and EBITDA (excluding non cash expenses) for the Company were down approximately 16%
and 21%, respectively, from the March 31, 2008 quarter. Furthermore, the backlog as of March 31,
2009 was down approximately 23% and 19% from March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
These results highlight the challenges the Company is facing.
In addition, the equity holders have experienced limited liquidity for their common shares due
to thin trading volume. We believe this limited liquidity will continue to preclude any
significant institutional equity interest in the Company and, together with the operating
performance, has and will prevent the Company from using its equity as an effective currency for
raising new capital.
Significant management resources are currently being expended on dealing with public
compliance and regulatory issues thereby diverting these limited and valuable resources from the
actual operation of the Companys business. By remaining a public company, the Company is also at
a potential competitive disadvantage when bidding for new business due in part to its SEC financial
disclosure requirements.
Finally, the Company has not been able to support the significant public company costs,
including audit, legal, regulatory, compliance, consulting and other public company costs from
Argyles operating businesses. Consequently, the Company has and will continue to diminish its
limited holding company cash position, which is also needed to support its bonding facility
required under many of its customer contracts.
We are prepared to pay a substantial premium for the Company, because we believe Argyle has
the ability to realize its long term potential as a private company. However, given its current
structure and the reasons discussed above, we believe our offer is fair and provides shareholders
with certainty and liquidity.
Structure. The structure of our proposed transaction is provided as follows:
| |
|
|
Acquisition Co. (Acquisition Co.) and a wholly owned subsidiary (Merger Sub)
would be formed, and Merger Sub would be merged with and into Argyle, with Argyle
surviving the merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Acquisition Co.; |
| |
| |
|
|
Assuming full management participation in the equity rollover as described
below, MML will fund Acquisition Co. with approximately $16.8 million in newly
issued convertible preferred stock (the New Preferred) and $2.4 million in common
stock. Any reduction in managements participation in the equity rollover will
result in a corresponding decrease in MMLs $2.4 million common stock investment
and a corresponding increase in MMLs $16.8 million preferred stock investment.
The New Preferred will carry a liquidation preference, be entitled to a 8%
cumulative dividend, have pari passu voting rights with common, and will have the
right to convert at any time, at the option of the holder, into common stock at a
price of $1.00 per share (subject to any subsequent anti-dilution adjustments); |
| |
| |
|
|
Subject to the Conditions Precedent discussed below, management will be able to
roll up to approximately 2.4 million common shares into Acquisition Co. This
equity roll will be structured to ensure the most tax efficient treatment for the
exchange of managements ownership interests. Following the transaction, should
management roll its full ownership into the new common shares, its fully diluted
interest will be approximately 18.4% of Acquisition Co. (including a newly created
8% management incentive option pool, a portion of which will be reserved at closing
for future issuances); |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Strictly Confidential
|
|
Page 2 of 6 |
May 19, 2009
| |
|
|
The transaction is structured to ensure the Companys existing indebtedness will
remain outstanding at the operating company level. No additional debt will be
raised to fund the transaction; |
| |
| |
|
|
The existing series A and B preferred stock will be redeemed at closing. |
Conditions Precedent. Our offer is subject to certain conditions precedent to the closing of
a transaction including:
| |
|
|
The completion of limited confirmatory due diligence in MMLs sole satisfaction,
which we would expect to complete within 45 days; |
| |
| |
|
|
Voting and support agreements executed by management, holding at least 2 million
shares subject to any fiduciary out exercised by the Company in termination of the
merger agreement; |
| |
| |
|
|
A co-investment by management of at least $2 million into the common stock of
Acquisition Co subject to satisfactory documentation, including a shareholder
agreement with MML and Acquisition Co. The shareholder agreement will include,
among other things, customary restrictions on transfer, and tag along and drag
along rights; |
| |
| |
|
|
Waiver of certain existing severance and change of control payments for
management of the Company and its subsidiaries. The determination of employment
issues and contracts will be evaluated by MML during the due diligence period; |
| |
| |
|
|
Each outstanding warrant will, by its terms (or, if necessary, by amendment),
become exercisable into the right to receive the cash merger consideration per
share, although the exercise price per share provided in such warrants exceeds the
merger consideration per share; |
| |
| |
|
|
Cancellation of all out of the money options pursuant to the terms of the
Companys existing option plan or respective option agreement; |
| |
| |
|
|
Mutually satisfactory stock option plan representing 8% of the fully diluted
shares outstanding, a portion of which will be granted at closing to management
with the remainder held in reserve for future grants. The options would vest over
a four year period, and those that are granted at closing will have an exercise
price equal to the fair market value per share as of the date of grant
(specifically, the $1.00 cash price per share being paid to the Company
shareholders in the transaction); |
| |
| |
|
|
Signing of mutually satisfactory definitive agreements within 45 days from the
acceptance of this Offer Letter; |
| |
| |
|
|
No default, event of default or acceleration event on any of the Companys
indebtedness will have occurred between the date of this Offer Letter and the
closing (regardless of whether the date of reporting such event has occurred); |
| |
| |
|
|
The Company to be managed and operated in the ordinary course of business
through the closing with no material adverse change in the financial condition,
debt levels or prospects of the Company, including the absence of the acquisition
of any operating business or the issuance of any capital stock of the Company,
including in connection with the repayment or prepayment of any indebtedness of the
Company or its subsidiaries (other than in connection with the exercise of any
currently outstanding warrants or compensatory stock options); and |
| |
| |
|
|
Necessary governmental approvals, consents and clearances. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Strictly Confidential
|
|
Page 3 of 6 |
May 19, 2009
Exclusivity. Upon acceptance of this Offer Letter by the Company, MML will be granted an
exclusivity period expiring on the earlier of the execution of a definitive agreement or 45 days
after the Company executes this Offer Letter (the Exclusivity Period) in which to complete its
confirmatory due diligence and execute definitive documentation with the Company. During the
Exclusivity Period, the Company will not, and it will cause its subsidiaries and the respective
representatives and agents of the Company and its subsidiaries not to contact, negotiate or discuss
with, or solicit any offer from, and third party for the sale of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, its capital stock or any material portion of its assets (by merger, sale of capital
stock or assets or otherwise). In addition, the Company will, and will cause its subsidiaries and
the respective representatives and agents of the Company and its subsidiaries to cease any pending
negotiations or discussions for the sale of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, its capital
stock or any material portion of its assets.
Once definitive documents are signed, such documents will provide the Company up to 45 days
thereafter (the Go Shop Period) to solicit third party acquisition proposals that are more
favorable, from a financial point of view, than the proposal contained in this Offer Letter (a
superior proposal). If during this Go Shop Period, the Companys board of directors concludes,
in good faith and consistent with its fiduciary duties, that such third party acquisition proposal
constitutes a superior proposal, the Company may terminate the definitive acquisition agreement
with Acquisition Co. and Merger Sub, subject to the contemporaneous payment of a break up fee to
Acquisition Co. equal to 1.5% of implied enterprise value plus reimbursement of all out-of-pocket
transaction-related expenses. Acquisition Co. will also be provided a match right to revise its
offer so as to render the third party acquisition proposal no longer a superior proposal.
In addition, following the Go Shop Period and until the receipt of the required Company
shareholder vote for the transaction with Acquisition Co. (the Extended Unsolicited Offer
Period), the Company, its subsidiaries and their respective representatives and agents may no
longer solicit offers, but may furnish information or enter into negotiations or discussions with
respect to any unsolicited third party acquisition proposal that the Companys board of directors
determines in good faith is reasonably expected to lead to a superior proposal and which action is
required by its fiduciary duties to its stockholders. If during the Extended Unsolicited Period,
the Companys board of directors determines that such third party acquisition proposal constitutes
a superior proposal, the Company may terminate the definitive acquisition agreement with
Acquisition Co. and Merger Sub, subject to the contemporaneous payment of a break up fee to
Acquisition Co. equal to 3.5% of implied enterprise value plus reimbursement of all out-of-pocket
transaction-related expenses. Acquisition Co. will also be provided a match right to revise its
offer so as to render the third party acquisition proposal no longer a superior proposal.
Inspection; Confidentiality. MML and its officers, employees and agents will have the right
upon reasonable prior notice and during normal business hours to inspect Argyles books and records
of accounts, and to consult with its officers, provided that any such inspection or consultation
shall be conducted in a manner that does not unreasonably disrupt the operations of the Companys
business, and provided, further, that (a) no contact with Argyles employees, agents, suppliers,
customers or contract counterparties shall be made without the prior written consent of the
Company, and MML and Argyle shall coordinate such contacts in a manner such that all such contacts
shall be made jointly with a representative of the Company, if the Company so desires and (b) no
access or information shall be required to be provided if such access or disclosure would violate a
confidentiality obligation to which the Company is subject or would waive the Companys
attorney-client privilege as to any material matter. Except as required by applicable law, MML
will, and it will cause all of its representatives to keep all information disclosed to them
pursuant to this paragraph in confidence and not disclose such information until such information
becomes public through no fault of MML or its representatives.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Strictly Confidential
|
|
Page 4 of 6 |
May 19, 2009
Brokers. Neither MML, Argyle nor any of their respective representatives, has employed any
broker, agent, or finder, or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees, agents fees,
commissions, or finders fees in connection with this Offer Letter, provided that, Argyle (or any
special committee of its board of directors) will be permitted to engage a single financial advisor
in connection with its consideration of the transactions contemplated by this Offer Letter.
Governing Law. This Offer Letter and the definitive agreement as well as all other agreements
contemplated hereby and thereby shall, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, be
governed by and interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and the
United States applicable in Texas (other than with respect to matters governed by the Delaware
General Corporation Law (DGCL), to which the DGCL shall apply).
Counterparts. This Offer Letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such
counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together
shall constitute but one agreement. Delivery of a copy of this Offer Letter bearing an original
signature by facsimile transmission or by electronic mail in portable document format form shall
have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing the original signature.
Termination; Binding Provisions. Except for the provisions under the heading Exclusivity,
Inspection; Confidentiality, Brokers, Governing Law, Counterparts and Termination; Binding
Provisions which are binding, the terms of this letter are non-binding and no agreement,
arrangement or undertaking between the parties shall be created until such time as definitive
transaction documents have been executed and delivered by the parties and all other appropriate
persons, and the definitive transaction documents have been approved by the Companys board of
directors. This offer shall expire at 5:00pm EDT on May 29, 2009.
As mentioned above, we believe our offer is fair and in the best interest of Argyle and its various
stakeholders, including its public equity holders.
[Signature Page Follows]
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Strictly Confidential
|
|
Page 5 of 6 |
May 19, 2009
If the foregoing correctly sets forth our declaration of the parties intent to proceed in a
transaction and the preparation of definitive documents on a basis consistent with this Offer
Letter, please so indicate by signing this Offer Letter in the space provided below and returning a
copy to the undersigned.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Very truly yours, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
MML Capital Partners LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Robert M. Davies
Robert M. Davies
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Managing Director |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Agreed to and accepted by: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Argyle Security, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
|
|
|
Title: |
|
|
|
|
Date: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Strictly Confidential
|
|
Page 6 of 6 |