Advisors
RBC Capital Markets is serving as financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as legal advisor to AV. Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher is serving as strategic communications advisor to AV. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is serving as financial advisor and Goodwin Procter LLP is serving as legal advisor to Arlington Capital Partners and BlueHalo.
About AeroVironment, Inc.
AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) provides technology solutions at the intersection of robotics, sensors, software analytics and connectivity that deliver more actionable intelligence so you can Proceed with Certainty. Headquartered in Virginia, AeroVironment is a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, and serves defense, government and commercial customers. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.
About BlueHalo
BlueHalo is purpose-built to provide industry-leading capabilities in the areas of Space, C-UAS and Autonomous Systems, Electronic Warfare & Cyber, and AI/ML. The company develops and brings to market next-generation capabilities to support customers’ critical missions and national security. Learn more at http://www.bluehalo.com.
About Arlington Capital Partners
Arlington Capital Partners is a Washington, D.C.-area private investment firm specializing in government-regulated industries. The firm partners with founders and management teams to build strategically important businesses in the government services and technology, aerospace and defense, and healthcare sectors. Since its inception in 1999, Arlington has invested in over 175 companies and is currently investing out of its $3.8 billion Fund VI. For more information, visit Arlington’s website at www.arlingtoncap.com and follow Arlington on LinkedIn.
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains statements regarding the Company, BlueHalo, the proposed transactions and other matters that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “approximate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “could,” “should,” “strategy,” “will,” “intend,” “may” and other similar expressions or the negative of such words or expressions. Statements in this press release concerning (i) the Company’s or BlueHalo’s expected future financial position, results of operations, revenues, business strategy, production capacity, competitive positions, growth opportunities, employment opportunities and mobility, plans and objectives of management and (ii) the Company’s proposed acquisition of BlueHalo, the expected benefits of the acquisition, including with respect to the business outlook or future economic performance, anticipated profitability, revenues, expenses or other financial items, and product or services line growth, the structure of the proposed acquisition, the closing date of the proposed acquisition, and plans following the closing of the proposed acquisition, together with other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements that are estimates reflecting management’s best judgment based upon currently available information. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and stockholders and other potential investors must recognize that actual results may differ materially from expectations as a result of a variety of factors, including, without limitation, those discussed below. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which the Company and BlueHalo are unable to predict or control, that may cause actual results, performance or plans to differ materially from any future results, performance or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these statements as a result of a number of factors, including, but not limited to:
- the risk that the transaction described herein will not be completed or will not provide the expected benefits, or that we will not be able to achieve the cost or revenue synergies anticipated;
- the failure to timely or at all obtain Company stockholder approval for the acquisition;
- the inability to obtain required regulatory approvals for the acquisition;
- the timing of obtaining such approvals and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the acquisition;
- the risk that a condition to closing of the acquisition may not be satisfied on a timely basis or at all;
- the possible occurrence of an event, change or other circumstance that would give rise to the termination of the transaction agreement;
- the risk of shareholder litigation in connection with the proposed transaction, including resulting expense or delay in delay in closing of the transaction;
- the failure of the proposed transaction to close for any other reason;
- the diversion of the attention of the Company and BlueHalo management from ongoing business operations;
- unexpected costs, liabilities, charges or expenses resulting from the acquisition;
- the risk that the integration of the Company and BlueHalo will be more difficult, time-consuming or expensive than anticipated;
- the risk of customer loss or other business disruption in connection with the transaction, or of the loss of key employees;
- the fact that unforeseen liabilities of the Company or BlueHalo may exist;
- the risk of doing business internationally;
- the challenging macroeconomic environment, including disruptions in the defense industry;
- risks that the Company may not be able to manage strains associated with its growth;
- dependence on key personnel;
- stock price volatility;
- the effect of legislative initiatives or proposals, statutory changes, governmental or other applicable regulations and/or changes in industry requirements;
- the Company’s and BlueHalo’s ability to protect their intellectual property and litigation risks; and
- other risks and uncertainties identified in the “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business” sections of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other risks as identified from time to time in its Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports.
Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, neither the Company nor BlueHalo undertakes (and each of the Company and BlueHalo expressly disclaim) any obligation and do not intend to publicly update or review any of these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the proposed transactions or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act. Subject to certain exceptions to be approved by the relevant regulators or certain facts to be ascertained, the public offer will not be made directly or indirectly, in or into any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of such jurisdiction, or by use of the mails or by any means or instrumentality (including without limitation, facsimile transmission, telephone and the internet) of interstate or foreign commerce, or any facility of a national securities exchange, of any such jurisdiction.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This press release is being made in respect of the proposed transaction between the Company and BlueHalo. In connection with the proposed transaction, the Company will file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, which will include a proxy statement and a prospectus, to register the shares of the Company stock that will be issued to BlueHalo’s shareholders (the “Proxy and Registration Statement”), as well as other relevant documents regarding the proposed transaction. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ IN THEIR ENTIRETY THE PROXY AND REGISTRATION STATEMENT REGARDING THE TRANSACTION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.