News

AE Industrial Partners LLC has agreed to acquire CDI Corp, a provider of engineering, information technology and staffing solutions, for $8.25 per share. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of this year. Houlihan Lokey is providing financial advice to CDI on the transaction while Lincoln International is doing likewise for AEI.

PRESS RELEASE

PHILADELPHIA, July 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — CDI Corp. (NYSE: CDI) (“CDI”, or the “Company”), a leading provider of engineering, information technology, and staffing solutions, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by affiliates of AE Industrial Partners, LLC (“AEI”), a private equity investor specializing in aerospace, power generation, and specialty industrial companies. Pursuant to the agreement, AEI will acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock for $8.25 per share in an all-cash tender offer and follow-on merger. The agreement was unanimously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors following a review of strategic alternatives that the Company announced in March 2017. In addition, shareholders representing 26% of shares outstanding have entered into tender and support agreements.

“After a review of strategic alternatives by our Board of Directors, we are pleased to reach this agreement with AEI, which provides our shareholders with immediate liquidity and substantial certainty of value. We further believe that this transaction presents a winning proposition for all of our stakeholders,” said Michael S. Castleman, President, Interim CEO and Chief Financial Officer of CDI. “AEI has a proven track record of partnering with company management, is a strategic-minded and growth-oriented investor that has substantial experience in many of our core end markets, and has a strong understanding of the Company’s capabilities and business model. With AEI’s longer-term commitment, strategic vision, deep capital base, and relevant investing and operating experience, we believe that CDI will strengthen its market position and its delivery of value-added engineering, IT and staffing solutions.”

“We are excited to partner with CDI’s exceptional leadership team and market-leading brand,” said Michael Greene, Managing Partner of AEI. “We believe that the Company’s capabilities and reputation, combined with AEI’s deep operating expertise in engineering, IT solutions, and human capital management, will allow the Company to expand and strengthen its relationships and its value proposition to key customers. We look forward to working with the Company and accelerating the growth of the business.”

Under the terms of the agreement, AEI will commence a tender offer to purchase any and all of the outstanding shares of CDI’s common stock for $8.25 per share in cash. The purchase price represents a 33% premium to the closing price of $6.20 on July 28th and a 36% premium to the average closing price for the last 30 trading days of $6.06. Upon completion of the transaction, CDI will become a privately held company.

The transaction, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017, is conditioned upon, among other things, satisfaction of a minimum tender condition, regulatory filings, and other customary closing conditions. There are no financing conditions associated with the proposed agreement.

Houlihan Lokey is serving as financial advisor to the Company and Dechert LLP is serving as the Company’s legal advisor. Lincoln International is serving as financial advisor to AEI and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as AEI’s legal advisor.

About CDI Corporation
CDI (NYSE: CDI) seeks to create extraordinary outcomes with our clients by delivering solutions based on highly skilled and professional talent. Our business is comprised of four segments: Enterprise Talent, Specialty Talent & Technology Solutions, Engineering Solutions, and MRI. We provide engineering, information technology, and staffing solutions to clients in multiple industries, including aerospace, chemicals, energy, industrial equipment, infrastructure, and technology, as well as municipal and state governments and the U.S. Department of Defense. We have offices and delivery centers in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, we also provide recruiting and staffing services through our global MRINetwork® of franchisees. Learn more at www.cdicorp.com.

About AE Industrial Partners
AE Industrial Partners is a leading private equity firm specializing in control-oriented investments in aerospace, power generation, and specialty industrial businesses and has strong experience investing in businesses with similar capabilities and end-market exposure as CDI. AEI invests in market-leading companies that can benefit from its deep operating experience, industry knowledge, and relationships. AEI is able to provide a powerful level of industry insight and strategic direction that helps drive success within its portfolio investments. Learn more at www.aeroequity.com.