Expands U.S. operations into Wisconsin with acquisition of 8 funeral homes and 2 crematoria
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.
TORONTO, April 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Park Lawn Corporation (TSX: PLC) (“PLC” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters (the “Underwriters”) co-led by National Bank Financial Inc., CIBC Capital Markets and Cormark Securities Inc. to issue 4,874,000 common shares (the “Common Shares”) at a price of $25.65 per Common Share, on a bought deal basis, for gross proceeds of approximately $125 million. (the “Offering”). The Company has also granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 731,100 Common Shares on the same terms and conditions, exercisable at any time, in whole or in part, up to 30 days after the closing of the Offering (the “Over-Allotment Option”).
The net proceeds from the Offering will be used to repay the Company’s outstanding indebtedness under its credit facility, to fund the Company’s ongoing growth initiatives, and for general corporate purposes.
The Common Shares will be offered pursuant to a short-form prospectus to be filed in each of the provinces of Canada, which will describe the terms of the Offering. The Offering is expected to close on or about April 23, 2019 and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all regulatory approvals including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Concurrently with the announcement of the Offering, PLC is also pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of all the outstanding equity of Cress Funeral Service, Inc. (“Cress Funeral Service”), an 8-location funeral business in Madison, Wisconsin for a purchase price of approximately US$20.3 million, subject to customary working capital adjustments (the “Acquisition”).
The securities offered pursuant to the Offering have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “1933 Act”) and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, “U.S. persons” (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act), except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons.
About Park Lawn Corporation
PLC provides goods and services associated with the disposition and memorialization of human remains. Products and services are sold on a pre-planned basis (pre-need) or at the time of a death (at-need). PLC and its subsidiaries own and operate businesses including cemeteries, crematoria, funeral homes, chapels, planning offices and a transfer service. PLC has a North American wide platform with operations in five Canadian provinces and thirteen U.S. states.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of applicable securities laws) relating to the business of PLC and the environment in which it operates. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as “believe”, “anticipate”, “project”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “will”, “may”, “estimate”, “pro-forma” and other similar expressions. These statements are based on PLC’s expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections and include, without limitation, statements regarding the completion of the Offering, the proposed use of proceeds of the Offering, PLC’s continued growth strategy, the anticipated effect of the Offering on the performance of PLC, the expected purchase price multiple of the Acquisition and the impact of the Acquisition on PLC’s business. The forward-looking statements in this news release are based on certain assumptions, including without limitation that all conditions to completion of the Offering will be satisfied or waived, those regarding present and future business strategies, the environment in which PLC will operate in the future, expected revenues, expansion plans, the impact of the Acquisition on PLC’s business, and PLC’s ability to achieve its goals. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the risk that the Offering will not be completed and the factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in PLC’s Annual Information Form available at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, PLC assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact Information
Andrew Clark
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
(416) 231-1462
Joseph Leeder
Chief Financial Officer & Director
(416) 231-1462
Suzanne Cowan
VP, Business Development & Corporate Affairs
scowan@parklawncorp.com
(416) 231-1462