Private Credit Club Snags $2.9bn ManTech Buyout Debt

Aug 9, 2022 | News

A consortium of private credit firms has lined up a roughly $2.9bn debt package backing Carlyle Group Inc.’s acquisition of US government contractor ManTech International marking the latest win for deal-hungry direct lenders.  

The group of lenders includes the credit arm of Blackstone Inc., as well as Oak Hill Advisors, Crescent Capital Group and Blue Owl Capital Inc., according to people familiar with the matter.

Under the terms of the transaction, ManTech shareholders will receive $96.00 per share in cash, which represents a 32% premium to ManTech’s unaffected closing share price of $72.82 on February 2, 2022, the last trading day prior to published media reports regarding a potential strategic process for the Company, and a 17% premium to the closing stock price of $81.97 on May 13, 2022.

“We have always admired ManTech’s unwavering commitment to support national security customers and their critical missions through differentiated capabilities and technology solutions. ManTech’s talented employees and leadership team have built a remarkable Company with strong market positions across the federal government,” said Dayne Baird, a Managing Director on Carlyle’s Aerospace & Government Services team. “Through this partnership, we look forward to leveraging our sector expertise and resources to accelerate growth and innovation and to drive greater value for customers and employees.”

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“This announcement is an important milestone for ManTech and a testament to our growth and the leadership position we have built since our founding by George Pedersen more than 50 years ago,” said ManTech Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Kevin M. Phillips. “Following a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives, our Board determined that this transaction is in the best interest of our shareholders and provides them with the most compelling value maximization outcome, offering liquidity at a significant premium. We look forward to leveraging Carlyle’s deep knowledge and experience investing in and growing companies, as we deliver stronger outcomes for our customers and increased opportunities for our employees.”

The transaction was unanimously approved by ManTech’s Board of Directors, which recommends that ManTech shareholders vote in favor of the transaction. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of calendar 2022, subject to approval by ManTech shareholders, receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. 

Stockholders holding shares of common stock representing 49.2% of the current outstanding voting power of the ManTech common stock have entered into a voting agreement pursuant to which they have agreed, among other things, to vote their shares of common stock in favor of the transaction, subject to certain conditions.  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor and King & Spalding LLP is serving as legal counsel to ManTech in connection with the transaction.

Robert W. Baird & Co. is serving as financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as legal advisor to Carlyle in connection with the transaction.

Source: Bloomberg

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