Ceska Zbrojovka Group, CZG, said it signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of the outstanding equity interest in Colt Holding Company LLC, the parent company of U.S. firearms manufacturer, Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC as well as its Canadian subsidiary, Colt Canada Corporation.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the definitive agreement, CZG will acquire a 100 percent stake in Colt for upfront cash consideration of $220 million and the issuance of 1,098,620 shares of newly issued CZG common stock. The agreement also provides for potential earnout consideration of up to 1,098,620 shares of newly issued CZG common stock if defined EBITDA thresholds are achieved in the years 2021 to 2023.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Lubomír Kovařík, president and chairman of CZG, said: “This merger is a strategic step for both companies. The acquisition of Colt, an iconic brand and a benchmark for the military, law enforcement and commercial markets globally, fits perfectly in our strategy to become the leader in the firearms manufacturing industry and a key partner for the armed forces. We are proud to include Colt, which has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the U.S. Army for over 175 years, in our portfolio. We believe in the successful connection of our corporate cultures, the proven track record of the current management team and the complementary nature of the CZ and Colt brands. The combined group will have revenues in excess of $600 million and presents a real small arms powerhouse. The experience of CZ and Colt management will further strengthen both brands and ensure CZ and Colt continue to deliver top quality products and solutions to all our customers.”
Dennis Veilleux, president and CEO of Colt, agreed: “We are very pleased with the prospect of such a strategic combination. Having completed a historic turn-around of the operations and financial performance at Colt over the past five years, this important next step with CZG positions the company to take advantage of significant growth opportunities. We are excited to join forces with CZG which will be a powerful combination for both brands and for our customers.”
The acquisition will be financed from the company’s existing cash resources, including recent IPO proceeds and from the contemplated bond issuance. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval but is anticipated to close in Q221.
With this strategic move, CZG will acquire significant production capacity in the United States and Canada and substantially expand its global customer base. Colt is a traditional supplier to global military and law enforcement customers. Among others, Colt is a long-term supplier to the U.S. Army, whose relationship dates back over 175 years, and through its Canadian subsidiary, Colt a designated exclusive supplier of small arms to the Canadian military.
CZG, whose firearms include CZ (Ceska Zbrojovka), Dan Wesson, Brno Rifles, and 4M Systems, is active in the U.S. and building a factory in Little Rock, AK.
Photo courtesy Colt Holding Company
