LASALLE, Quebec — GDI Integrated Facility Services Inc. announced that it and its wholly-owned subsidiary Ainsworth Inc. have entered into an agreement to acquire Direct Energy Business Services Limited, doing business as Airtron Canada, a subsidiary of Direct Energy Marketing Limited.

Airtron is a leading provider of HVAC, building automation, and energy efficiency services, with approximately 400 employees and operations across Canada. The acquisition of Airtron will expand Ainsworth’s services portfolio and will strengthen GDI’s Technical Services segment, creating a business with proforma revenue of approximately $225 million and more than 1,200 employees across the country. The acquisition adds building automation and energy efficiency services to Ainsworth’s service portfolio, as well as the ability to remotely monitor and manage facility energy consumption, perform remote equipment diagnostics and problem resolution, and provide clients with real-time data analytics on building system performance.

Ainsworth will acquire Airtron for a purchase price of approximately $19.5 million including vehicle leases, and will be subject to certain closing adjustments including working capital. The acquisition will be funded through GDI’s existing credit facilities, $4.5 million of vehicle leases and a balance of sale. Airtron generated approximately $82 million in revenue in its fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2015. Following the realization of cost efficiencies expected to be obtained progressively over the 12 months following the acquisition, GDI expects the acquisition to contribute approximately $5 million to Ainsworth’s adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) on a run rate basis. At closing, the acquisition will have a beneficial effect on GDI’s debt to EBITDA coverage ratios on a proforma basis.

“We are pleased to welcome the Airtron team to the Ainsworth family,” said Claude Bigras, president and CEO of GDI. “Airtron is a highly strategic acquisition for Ainsworth, and will allow GDI to offer energy efficiency services, real-time intelligence and remote management of a facility’s building systems, enabling us to assist our clients to maximize asset performance, reduce operating costs, increase environmental responsibility, and ensure consistent customer/employee comfort. Additionally, Airtron strengthens Ainsworth’s platform in certain regions that are key markets for GDI.”  

The acquisition is expected to close during November 2016 and is subject to customary closing conditions.

For more information, visit www.gdi.com.

Publication date: 11/16/2016

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