Market-leading industrial technology company Acuity Brands announced it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire QSC for a purchase price of $1.215 billion – or $1.1 billion net of approximately $100 million in the present value of expected tax benefits. This net purchase price represents approximately 14 times QSC’s estimated EBITDA for the last twelve months ending August 31, 2024. It is expected to be accretive to Acuity’s’ fiscal 2025 full-year adjusted diluted earnings per share.
QSC is a disrupter in a large and transforming AV&C industry. It provides a cloud-manageable audio, video, and control platform that includes controls, sensors, and software. This platform has broad applications across multiple end markets, including education, commercial, hospitality, government, healthcare, and transportation. For the 12 months ending August 31, 2024, QSC delivered sales of approximately $535 million.
The company anticipates funding the transaction using $600 million of term loan financing and the remainder with cash on the balance sheet.
The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
Allen & Company is serving as Acuity’s financial advisor, and Baker McKenzie is providing external legal counsel. JPMorgan Chase Bank and Bank of America are leading the financing.
KEY QUOTES:
“In our Intelligent Spaces business we are delivering meaningful outcomes for end users that are powered by disruptive technologies and that generate strong financial results. QSC has built a differentiated cloud-manageable audio, video and control platform that controls what happens in a built space. Our acquisition of QSC builds on our vision of data interoperability as we continue to make spaces smarter, safer and greener.”
– Neil Ashe, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands
“We are excited to be joining a company that is aligned around our long-term mission and shares our values. Our shared vision of how we can leverage data with our technology solutions will elevate our ability to service our end-users and drive growth.”
– Joe Pham, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of QSC
