Manatron Announces Definitive Agreement to Be Acquired by Thoma Cressey Bravo in a Transaction Valued at Approximately $66 Million
Share:
Shareholders to receive $12.00 per share in cash
KALAMAZOO, Mich., Jan. 15 -- Manatron, Inc. (NASDAQ:MANA) the nation's leading provider of integrated, enterprise-level property tax solutions for state and local governments, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of Thoma Cressey Bravo ("TCB"), a leading private equity investment firm in a transaction valued at approximately $66 million. Under the terms of the agreement, the shareholders of Manatron, Inc. will receive $12.00 in cash in exchange for each share of stock.
"Our Board of Directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and is recommending that all Manatron shareholders vote in favor of this transaction," said Paul R. Sylvester, Manatron's Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We have been reviewing our strategic alternatives for the past year and believe that the opportunity presented by TCB was in the best interests of our clients, our employees and our shareholders. For our shareholders, the purchase price represents a 38% premium over the closing price on January 11, 2008, as well as a valuation that we felt was very fair based on current industry standards. For our clients and employees, this transaction provides the opportunity for Manatron to continue its journey of being the nation's leading provider of property tax solutions."
Scott Crabill, Partner of TCB, said, "Manatron represents an exciting platform investment opportunity for our firm. We look forward to working with the Company's management team to enhance and extend its track record as a leading property tax software vendor and deliver increased value for Manatron's customers." Holden Spaht, Principal with TCB, added, "It is our intention to continue to invest in Manatron's GRM® suite of software and grow the company through strategic acquisitions. We plan to aggressively pursue Manatron's mission of building a national company that will be the clear leader in this market."
The transaction is expected to close during Manatron, Inc.'s fiscal fourth quarter, which ends on April 30, 2008, subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval by Manatron shareholders. The completion of the transaction is not subject to any financing contingency. Upon closing, Manatron, Inc. will no longer be publicly traded, but will be privately held by an affiliate of Thoma Cressey Bravo.
Advisors: First Analysis Securities Corporation rendered a fairness opinion to Manatron's Board of Directors and Warner Norcross & Judd LLP provided legal counsel to Manatron, Inc. in connection with the transaction. Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided legal counsel to Thoma Cressey Bravo. Wells Fargo Foothill, part of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) has committed to provide debt financing in support of the acquisition.
About Manatron, Inc.:
Manatron is focused on providing software and services to enable state and local governments in North America to completely, fairly and efficiently assess real and personal property, and to bill and collect the related property taxes in their jurisdictions. The Company's software manages the entire property life cycle, which includes deed recording, land records, GIS (Geographic Information System) integration, valuation, assessment administration, personal property, business licenses, cashiering, tax billing and collection, delinquents and tax sales, and e-government. Manatron's revenues are primarily generated from software license fees, software maintenance fees, professional services, and sales of hardware and supplies. Professional services consist of data conversions, installation, training, project management, hardware maintenance, forms processing and printing, consulting and appraisal services. Manatron is headquartered in Portage, Michigan and has offices in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. Manatron currently serves approximately 1,400 customers in 40 states, two Canadian territories, South Africa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More information about Manatron, Inc. is available at the Company's site on the World Wide Web at www.manatron.com/.
About Thoma Cressey Bravo:
Thoma Cressey Bravo is a leading private equity investment firm that has been providing equity and strategic support to experienced management teams building growing companies for more than 25 years. The firm originated the concept of "industry consolidation" or "build and buy" investing, which seeks to create value through the strategic use of acquisitions to accelerate business growth. Through a series of private equity funds, Thoma Cressey Bravo currently manages approximately $2.0 billion of equity capital. In the software industry, Thoma Cressey Bravo has completed 34 acquisitions across 10 platform companies with total annual earnings of approximately $500 million. For more information on Thoma Cressey Bravo, visit http://www.tcb.com/.
CONTACT:
Paul Sylvester,
CEO and Co-Chairman
Manatron, Inc.
(269) 567-2900 paul.sylvester@manatron.com
Amber Roberts
Lane PR
(On behalf of Thoma Cressey Bravo)
(503) 546-7891
amber@lanepr.com
Cameron Donahue
Hayden Communications, Inc.
(651) 653-1854
mailto:cameron@haydenir.com
Source: Manatron, Inc.
Web site: www.manatron.com/
http://www.tcb.com/
