Directly after the Gilat and Wavestream announcement, SatMagazine Publisher Silvano Payne managed a quick meeting with the executives responsible for this business acquisition... pictured are...
From left to right: Dave Kaaon, Senior VP M&A, Spacenet — Robert Turner, VP, Business Development, SIGS — Cliff Cooke, CEO, Wavestream — Andreas Georghiou, CEO, Spacenet — Ili Cohen, VP, Corporate Development, Gilat
Wavestream is a provider of high power solid state amplifiers. Wavestream’s family of K-a, Ku-, X- and C-band Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPA) and Block Upconverters (BUC) provide systems integrators with field-proven, high performance solutions designed for mobile and fixed SATCOM systems worldwide. Gilat expects to leverage Wavestream’s technology and sales reach to further enhance Spacenet Integrated Government Solutions’ (SIGS) market position in the government sector. Wavestream’s advanced technology has achieved broad-based success within the MILSATCOM and COMSATCOM sectors. The company’s products have been selected as key components in a number of DoD programs. Wavestream has an extensive tier-1 customer list of DoD system integrators as well as commercial and international customers. Last week, Wavestream announced receipt of a $19 million order from General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies for the company’s high power 50W Ka-band solid state amplifiers to support U.S. Army and Marine Corps satellite communications systems. Product deliveries started in October 2010.
The consideration for the acquisition is approximately $130 million in cash and is expected to be completed prior to year end. According to Gilat’s analysis, the acquisition will be accretive. Gilat expects to complete the purchase with cash on hand, but may raise a limited amount of financing either before or after closing to replenish its cash reserves. Upon closing, Wavestream is to be acquired without any cash or debt. The purchase is also to include an earn-out over the next 12 months of up to $7 million. Wavestream is expected to generate revenues of approximately $70 million in 2010 and have a positive EBITDA of between 15 and 20 percent. Upon completion of the acquisition, Wavestream will operate as a separate business unit. Wavestream’s highly experienced management team has agreed to stay with the company and Cliff Cooke will remain CEO of Wavestream, reporting to Amiram Levinberg. The closing of the transaction is subject to certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
