Toromont to acquire Hewitt Equipment

“Acquiring Hewitt marks a very important milestone for Toromont and is beneficial to our customers, employees and shareholders on many levels,” said Scott J. Medhurst, Toromont President and CEO. “The Hewitt family has built a world-class organization throughout much of Eastern Canada over many decades with a strong reputation for quality service among its customers. We are very proud to have the Hewitt Group join us and are privileged to be taking on the stewardship of this excellent business and building on the family legacy. We intend to add to its position of strength by investing in people, facilities, technology and rental fleets. Our position will allow us to better capitalize on organic growth opportunities given the recovery of the mining sector that we are currently experiencing and the promise of significant infrastructure investment. We look forward to working with key members of Hewitt’s leadership team.”

Mr. Medhurst added, “The acquisition delivers a substantial growth opportunity, allowing us to expand into the significant Québec, Western Labrador and Maritime markets, and strengthens our expertise in the mining, construction, power systems and forestry sectors. We are focused on ensuring a seamless transition for our customers and employees.”

“For more than 65 years, the Hewitt Group has been at the centre of the resource and construction industries in Quebec and the Maritimes, helping to get roads, dams and mines built and running,” said Jim Hewitt, Chairman and CEO of Hewitt Equipment. “With the trend towards consolidation taking root in each of the sectors in which Hewitt operates, we are confident that our customers and employees will benefit from working within an even larger organization with access to even more resources and capital.”

Headquartered in Pointe-Claire, Québec, Hewitt sells, rents and services the full line of Caterpillar and other products through its six operating business entities: Hewitt Equipment, Atlantic Tractors, Location Hewitt/Hewitt Rentals, Hewitt Material Handling, Montréal Hydraulique and SITECH QM. Founded in 1952, Hewitt has 45 branches across Eastern Canada and employs more than 2,000 people. Hewitt is privately held.

In the year ended December 28, 2016, Hewitt generated revenues of over $1.0 billion, operating profit of $66.4 million2 and net earnings of $46.6 million. Toromont advises that Hewitt’s historical performance should not be viewed as guidance for future performance.

Upon close of the acquisition, Toromont’s Caterpillar dealership will operate 120 branches in Nunavut, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland & Labrador, giving the company one of the largest sales territories in the Caterpillar dealer network. Toromont expects to maintain existing facilities and under its decentralized business model, regional leadership will continue to run their businesses locally – empowered to make decisions in the best interests of their customers.

Mr. Medhurst added, “The acquisition is the largest in our 56-year history and is only possible because of the strength of our balance sheet and proven track record as a disciplined operator focused on generating steady growth across each of our core markets. We are confident in the opportunities and bright future this transaction will bring to all of our key stakeholders – employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders and the communities we serve. We are very proud of our partnership with Caterpillar and appreciative of this opportunity.”

Québec is recognized and appreciated as a distinctive market, however it is not new to Toromont. Toromont’s CIMCO refrigeration division has 130 employees in Québec, where it has operated since 1951. Over the past 66 years, it has led in the design, engineering, fabrication, installation and servicing of refrigeration in the broad food distribution network together with community hockey rinks and curling clubs, including such marquee facilities as Montréal’s Bell Centre.

Toromont will fund the acquisition through current cash on hand, unsecured debt financing of up to $750 million and the issuance of 2.25 million Toromont shares (equating to $100 million based on the 10 day average share price prior to this announcement). A syndicate of financial institutions has provided Toromont with committed bank financing of up to $750 million to fund the acquisition and a revolving working capital facility of up to $500 million. Prior to close, Toromont intends to launch a bond offering (private placement) of up to $400 million and correspondingly reduce the draw on the bank financing. The transaction is expected to close by mid-October, 2017, subject to the timing of certain regulatory consents, including TSX approval, and customary closing conditions.

TD Securities Inc., CIBC Capital Markets and BMO Capital Markets are acting as financial advisors and their respective affiliates have provided committed financing. Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP is acting as legal advisor to Toromont and EY Canada provided due diligence support.

For more information
www.toromont.com