Upon Completion of the Odeon & UCI Cinemas Group Acquisition, AMC
Will Be the Largest Theatre Exhibition Company in the World
LEAWOOD, Kan. & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
AMC Theatres (AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.) (NYSE:AMC) (“AMC”)
announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to
acquire the largest theatre exhibitor in Europe, London-based Odeon &
UCI Cinemas Group (“Odeon & UCI”) from private equity firm Terra Firma
in a transaction valued at approximately £921 million1
comprised of £500 million for the equity, 75% in cash and 25% in stock
consideration, subject to lock-ups, and the assumption of £407 million
of net debt as of March 31, 2016 to be simultaneously refinanced at
closing. Assuming the transaction closes December 31, 2016 and a GBP/USD
exchange rate of 1.30 the transaction is valued at approximately $1,199
million under UK GAAP.
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In connection with the transaction, the company will make adjustments to
conform Odeon & UCI financial statements to US GAAP. Those adjustments
primarily include currency translation and the adjustment of certain
operating leases to capital and financing lease obligations, with those
obligations totaling approximately $195 million in additional debt.
The transaction is conditional upon antitrust clearance by the European
Commission and is subject to consultation with the European Works
Council.
The Combined Company After Transaction Close
With 242 theatres and 2,236 screens, Odeon & UCI is currently the #1
theatre operator in Europe. With 90 million tickets sold annually, it is
also the #1 theatre operator in the UK & Ireland, Italy and Spain; the
#2 theatre operator in Austria and Portugal; and the #4 theatre operator
in Germany. Odeon & UCI had approximately $1,156 million of revenue for
the last twelve months ending March 31, 2016. The combination of AMC and
Odeon & UCI will result in AMC’s operation of 627 theatres and more than
7,600 screens in eight countries.
AMC also is currently in a process to acquire US-based theatre exhibitor
Carmike Cinemas (NASDAQ: CKEC). AMC remains interested in, and committed
to, closing the Carmike transaction. The Odeon & UCI transaction does
not impact AMC’s ability to complete the Carmike transaction as AMC has
the financing commitments and flexibility to do both transactions.
Even without taking into account the potential Carmike transaction, the
combination of AMC and Odeon & UCI will make AMC the largest movie
theatre operator in the world.
Key Benefits of the Transaction
-
Increases in attendance and revenue are expected at Odeon & UCI
theatres after the introduction of AMC’s proven and successful guest
experience strategies. Emphasis will be placed on accelerating AMC’s
proven growth initiatives, featuring recliner seating, enhanced food
and beverage and premium large format auditoriums, as well as further
developing Odeon & UCI’s innovative marketing, customer relationship
management and pricing expertise
-
The acquisition is expected to further diversify AMC’s footprint by
adding theatres with complementary global geographic and guest
demographic profiles that strengthen the combined company’s growth
potential
-
To complement AMC’s domestic acquisition strategy, Odeon & UCI
establishes a strong and scalable market position in Europe and
creates a strong platform for AMC to pursue additional domestic and
international growth when it can do so on terms favorable to AMC
shareholders
Comments
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire Europe’s leading
cinema chain and create the world’s biggest and best theatre operator,”
said AMC CEO and President Adam Aron. “With this opportunistic
transaction, AMC will be extending the reach of our proven guest
experience strategies to transform the movie-going experience for
millions of movie goers in Europe. Odeon & UCI is a great business with
iconic brands, strong market presence and passionate teams, and their
impressive recent transformation is just the beginning. By introducing
AMC’s operational expertise, scale and innovative guest initiatives
across Odeon & UCI’s prime theatre locations and digital channels, we
expect to drive attendance in these international markets and leverage
the growing international demand for movie-going. While we acknowledge
that there are some uncertainties related to Brexit, we are encouraged
that current currency rates are highly favorable to AMC with the pound
falling to a three decade low versus the dollar. In total, we believe
this transaction will generate long-term value for our guests, our
studio partners and our shareholders.”
“With our shared vision for creating a world class cinema experience, we
are delighted to be joining the AMC family,” said Paul Donovan, Odeon &
UCI CEO. “As an innovator in guest experiences, AMC is the ideal partner
for the next stage of our long-term growth in Europe, and this is very
exciting news for our guests, our colleagues and the wider film
industry. In recent years, Terra Firma has supported our new management
team and our transformation strategy, and so established a solid
financial footing for the company. We have created strong momentum, and
are looking forward to introducing many of AMC’s ground-breaking guest
experience strategies, and working with them on long-term initiatives to
give our guests the best cinema hospitality experience in Europe. With a
strong future film slate, and the unparalleled expertise of our combined
teams, there are exciting opportunities ahead and strong prospects for
growth.”
Guy Hands, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Terra Firma, said,
“We are delighted to realize our investment in Odeon & UCI after 12
years of ownership. In that time, over £600 million was invested in
growing the business and delivering our long-term transformational
strategy. Under Terra Firma, the number of Odeon & UCI screens increased
from 1,453 in 2004 to 2,236 today, and the business has emerged as
Europe’s leading cinema operator. We are confident that under AMC’s
ownership, Odeon & UCI will continue to grow and thrive.”
Transaction Financing
-
75% in cash / 25% in stock consideration, subject to lock-ups
-
The transaction has fully committed debt financing in place arranged
by Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“Citi”)
-
Permanent financing plan anticipates a mix of term loans and bonds,
targeting leverage in the near-term of approximately 4.0x Adjusted
EBITDA
-
AMC believes this funding plan is prudent and balances the interests
of both our debt and equity investors while providing the company the
flexibility it needs to execute its business plan and pursue future
investment opportunities
-
The Odeon & UCI transaction does not impact AMC’s ability to complete
the Carmike transaction
Approvals and Timing
The transaction has been approved by both the Board of Directors of AMC
and the shareholder of Odeon & UCI.
The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of
2016 and is conditional upon antitrust clearance by the European
Commission and is subject to consultation with the European Works
Council.
Additional Details
-
AMC expects to maintain its quarterly dividend
-
AMC will continue to be headquartered in Leawood, Kansas. Adam Aron
will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer and President, and
Craig Ramsey will continue to serve as Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
-
Odeon & UCI will continue to be headquartered in London and will
operate as a subsidiary of AMC. It will continue operating under its
current brand names, Odeonin the UK & Ireland; UCIin Germany, Italy, Austria and Portugal; and Cinesa in
Spain. Odeon & UCI will continue to be led by Paul Donovan, Group
Chief Executive Officer, and his management team
-
Citi is serving as exclusive financial advisor to AMC and Pinsent
Masons LLP, Husch Blackwell LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP are
serving as AMC’s lead legal advisors
-
Goldman Sachs International is serving as exclusive financial advisor
to Terra Firma and Odeon & UCI and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP are
serving as lead legal advisors to Terra Firma and Odeon & UCI
Conference Call
AMC will discuss the transaction in greater detail on a conference call
and webcast on July 12, 2016, at 7:15 AM CDT/8:15 AM EDT/1:15 PM GMT. To
listen to the conference call via the internet, please visit the
investor relations section of the AMC website at www.amctheatres.com
for a link to the webcast. Investors and interested parties should go to
the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register, and/or
download and install any necessary audio software. To access the call
from the US, dial (877) 407-3982. From international locations, the
conference call can be accessed at (201) 493-6780. An archive of the
webcast will be available at www.investor.amctheatres.com
for a limited time after the call.
About AMC Theatres
AMC (NYSE:AMC) is the guest experience leader with 385 locations and
5,380 screens located primarily in the United States. AMC has propelled
innovation in the theatrical exhibition industry and continues today by
delivering more comfort and convenience, enhanced food & beverage,
greater engagement and loyalty, premium sight & sound, and targeted
programming. AMC operates the most productive theatres in the United
States’ top markets, including No. 1 market share in the top three
markets (NY, LA, Chicago). www.amctheatres.com
About Odeon & UCI Group Cinemas
Odeon & UCI Cinemas Group is a leading European cinema operator with 242
cinemas and 2,236 screens. Odeon & UCI operates in four major markets:
UK, Spain, Italy and Germany; and three smaller markets: Austria,
Portugal and Ireland.
About Terra Firma
Founded by Guy Hands in 1994, Terra Firma is one of Europe’s leading
private equity firms. Terra Firma specializes in the acquisition and
fundamental transformation of asset-backed businesses in essential
industries, focusing on investments in transformational private equity,
operational real estate and infrastructure. Since 1994, Terra Firma has
invested over €16 billion of equity and completed transactions with an
aggregate enterprise value of €48 billion.
Website Information
This press release, along with other news about AMC, is available at www.amctheatres.com.
We routinely post information that may be important to investors in the
Investor Relations section of our website, www.investor.amctheatres.com.
We use this website as a means of disclosing material, non-public
information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under
Regulation FD, and we encourage investors to consult that section of our
website regularly for important information about AMC. The information
contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not
incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.
Investors interested in automatically receiving news and information
when posted to our website can also visit www.investor.amctheatres.com to
sign up for email Alerts.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may
be identified by the use of words such as “forecast,” “plan,”
“estimate,” “will,” “would,” “project,” “maintain,” “intend,” “expect,”
“anticipate,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,”
“believe,” “continue,” and other similar expressions that predict or
indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of
historical matters. Similarly, statements made herein and elsewhere
regarding the pending acquisitions of Odeon & UCI and Carmike Cinemas
(collectively “the targets”) are also forward-looking statements,
including statements regarding the anticipated closing date of the
acquisitions, the source and structure of financing, management’s
statements about effect of the acquisitions on AMC’s future business,
operations and financial performance and AMC’s ability to successfully
integrate the targets into its operations. These forward-looking
statements are based on information available at the time the statements
are made and/or managements’ good faith belief as of that time with
respect to future events, and are subject to risks, trends,
uncertainties and other facts that could cause actual performance or
results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the
forward-looking statements. These risks, trends, uncertainties and facts
include, but are not limited to, risks related to: the parties’ ability
to satisfy closing conditions in the anticipated time frame or at all;
obtaining regulatory approval, including the risk that any approval may
be on terms, or subject to conditions, that are not anticipated;
obtaining the Carmike stockholders approval for the Carmike transaction;
the possibility that these acquisitions do not close, including in
circumstances in which AMC would be obligated to pay a termination fee
or other damages or expenses; related to financing these transactions,
including AMC’s ability to finance the transactions on acceptable terms
and to issue equity at favorable prices; responses of activist
stockholders to the transactions; AMC’s ability to realize expected
benefits and synergies from the acquisitions; AMC’s effective
implementation, and customer acceptance, of its marketing strategies;
disruption from the proposed transactions- making it more difficult to
maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; the
diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; the negative
effects of this announcement or the consummation of the proposed
acquisitions- on the market price of AMC’s common stock; unexpected
costs, charges or expenses relating to the acquisitions; unknown
liabilities; litigation and/or regulatory actions related to the
proposed transactions; AMC’s significant indebtedness, including the
indebtedness incurred to acquire the targets; AMC’s ability to utilize
net operating loss carry-forwards to reduce future tax liability;
continued effectiveness of AMC’s strategic initiatives; the impact of
governmental regulation, including anti-trust investigations concerning
potentially anticompetitive conduct, including film clearances and
participation in certain joint ventures; operating a business in markets
AMC is unfamiliar with; the United Kingdom’s exit from the European
Union; and other business effects, including the effects of industry,
market, economic, political or regulatory conditions, future exchange or
interest rates, changes in tax laws, regulations, rates and policies;
and risks, trends, uncertainties and other facts discussed in the
reports AMC has filed with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks,
trends, uncertainties or facts materialize, or should underlying
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from
those indicated or anticipated by the forward-looking statements
contained herein. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the
date they are made. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a
guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be
accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or
results will be achieved. For a detailed discussion of risks, trends and
uncertainties facing AMC, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in
AMC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2016,
and the risks, trends and uncertainties identified in their other public
filings. AMC does not intend, and undertakes no duty, to update any
information contained herein to reflect future events or circumstances,
except as required by applicable law.
1 Includes approximately £14 million of employee incentive
costs.

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AMC Contacts
Investor Relations:
John
Merriwether, (866) 248-3872
InvestorRelations@amctheatres.com
or
Media
Contacts:
Ryan Noonan, (913) 213-2183
rnoonan@amctheatres.com
or
For
all Odeon & UCI enquiries, please contact:
Odeon & UCI Group
Simon
Soffe, +44 (0)207 766 1809
or
Finsbury
Rollo Head /
Nicola McGowan, +44 (0)207 251 3801
terrafirma@finsbury.com
Source: AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.