(By Balaseshan) TeleCommunication Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:TSYS), which develops wireless communication technology, said it has purchased privately-held microDATA GIS Inc. for about $37 million.
The acquisition is anticipated to be immediately accretive to TeleCommunication's GAAP earnings and will be reported as part of the company's commercial segment. microDATA GIS is a provider of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) software and solutions.
microDATA expects to generate more than $20 million in systems and services revenue in calendar 2012, with EBITDA of 30% to 35%. This is expected to enhance TSYS' projected average EBITDA margin.
The aggregate acquisition consideration comprises of $20 million in cash at closing, plus $14 million in promissory notes and performance-based earn-out opportunities. TeleCommunication is financing the cash portion with an updated bank term loan arrangement.
The company said microDATA executive Christine Heinrich would lead the newly constituted and TeleCommunication's subsidiary as vice president of NG9-1-1. microDATA executive Jason Heinrich will become vice president of NG9-1-1 product development. Both will report to Chris Nabinger, senior vice president of TSYS' Safety and Security Group.
In addition, TeleCommunication has closed the syndication of a new secured credit facility for up to $80 million, with a consortium of lenders administered by Silicon Valley Bank, financial partner to technology and life science companies of all sizes worldwide.
The facility lending group also includes M&T Bank, and, with this financing, GE Capital Bank has joined TSYS' senior lending group. The new term debt interest rate of 4.0% is lower than the loan it replaces.
A new $45 million secured-term loan facility subsumed TSYS' $19 million term loan balance on June 30, 2012 and funded the cash portion of the microDATA acquisition.
In addition, the facility includes continuation of TSYS' $35 million revolving credit line to provide working capital for general corporate purposes, supplementing the company's more than $50 million of cash and marketable securities.
TSYS is trading down 4.61% at $1.45 on Friday. The stock has been trading between $1.20 and $5.57 for the past 52 weeks.