MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGPI), a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches, today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Luxco, Inc., and its affiliated companies (“Luxco”). Luxco is a leading branded beverage alcohol company across various categories, with a more than 60-year business heritage. For the unaudited twelve month period ended October 31, 2020, Luxco generated approximate net revenues of $202 million and 9-liter case volume of 4.8 million.
Luxco provides an established platform of extensive operational capabilities and a comprehensive national sales footprint with an attractive portfolio of brands including Ezra Brooks Bourbon Whiskey, Daviess County Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Yellowstone Bourbon Whiskey, El Mayor Tequila and Everclear. This transaction will immediately increase MGP’s scale and market position in the branded-spirits sector and strengthen its platform for future growth of higher value-added products. Importantly, the transaction is expected to improve MGP’s gross margin and cash flow generation profile, and management expects EPS to be low to middle single digit percentage accretive in the first full year following its close, excluding one-time transaction expenses.
“Luxco presents a unique opportunity to take a material step towards realizing our long-term strategy. It significantly expands our product line in the higher-value branded-spirits sector and increases our sales and distribution capabilities across all 50 states,” said David Colo, president and CEO of MGP Ingredients, Inc. “We have enormous respect for the platform Luxco has built, and we’re excited to add its portfolio of fast-growing premium distilled spirits brands together with strong, cash-flow generating legacy brands. We welcome Donn and his family into the MGP shareholder base and look forward to growing together.”
“There is a clear strategic fit between Luxco and MGP and I believe this transaction represents a great outcome for Luxco employees and customers,” said Donn Lux, chairman and CEO of Luxco. “I’m excited to continue my involvement with this blend of two well-positioned companies whose strong records of performance and commitment to excellence provide an attractive platform for continued growth.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Luxco shareholders will receive aggregate cash consideration of $238 million, subject to customary adjustments for working capital, net indebtedness and transaction expenses. They will also receive 5.0 million shares of MGP common stock, valued at approximately $238 million based on a 20-day volume-weighted average price as of January 11, 2021. Luxco shareholders will have the right, subject to certain conditions, to nominate up to two of the Company’s nine Board directors with Donn Lux being designated as the Luxco shareholders’ first director following the closing of the transaction.
The cash portion of the purchase price, plus transaction-related expenses, will be financed by borrowings under MGP’s existing revolving credit facility. The transaction is anticipated to be completed during the first half of 2021, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Nomura Securities International, Inc. acted as exclusive financial adviser to MGP in this transaction. Stinson LLP acted as MGP’s legal counsel. Perella Weinberg Partners acted as exclusive financial adviser to Luxco, and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP acted as Luxco’s legal counsel.
DEAL REPRESENTS AN ENTERPRISE VALUE OF $475 MILLION COMPRISED OF EQUAL PARTS CASH AND STOCK
- Consistent with MGP’s strategy of shifting into higher value-added products
- Luxco represents a unique and attractive national spirits platform
- Materially increases MGP’s scale in the branded-spirits sector and establishes an additional platform for future growth
- Financially attractive and significantly diversifies the MGP business
About MGP Ingredients, Inc.
Founded in 1941, MGP (Nasdaq: MGPI) is a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches. Distilled spirits include bourbon and rye whiskeys, gins and vodkas, which are carefully crafted through a combination of art and science backed by a long history of experience. The company’s proteins and starches are created in the same manner and provide a host of functional, nutritional, and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products. MGP additionally is a top producer of high quality industrial alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications. The company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, where it produces premium distilled spirits and food ingredients. The company also produces premium distilled spirits in Washington, D.C., and at its historic distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. For more information, visit mgpingredients.com.
About Luxco
A leading producer, supplier, importer, and bottler of beverage alcohol products, Luxco’s mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates, and business partners. Founded in St. Louis in 1958, Luxco remains locally owned and operated by the Lux family. Lux Row Distillers brings the family’s legacy to the heart of Bourbon Country in Bardstown, Kentucky and is now the home of Luxco’s bourbon portfolio, including Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson, and Daviess County. Luxco has also built a distillery in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico – Destiladora González Luxco – where the company’s 100 percent agave tequilas, El Mayor and Exotico, are produced. Luxco’s innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey, and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit www.luxco.com.
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