
Skip Navigation LinksHome / News / Read News


B. Riley Principal Merger Corp., Alta Equipment Holdings Inc. Agree to Business Combination

December 13, 2019, 07:15 AM
Filed Under: Mergers & Acquisitions

B. Riley Principal Merger Corp. (BRPM), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of B. Riley Financial, and Alta Equipment Holdings Inc., a provider of industrial and construction equipment and related services, announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement for a business combination transaction to create a leading publicly traded equipment dealership platform with an anticipated pro forma enterprise value of approximately $550 million.

In connection with the closing of the business combination, BRPM intends to change its name to Alta Equipment Group Inc. and intends to apply to list its shares of common stock on The New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "ALTG." Alta Equipment Group is anticipated to have pro forma revenue of $900 million for the year ended Dec. 31, after taking into account the effect of the acquisition of two dealers by Alta Equipment Group contingent on the closing of the business combination which are currently under non-binding letter of intent and pending negotiation of definitive agreements.

Founded in 1984, Alta Equipment Holdings owns and operates as one of the largest integrated equipment dealership platforms in the U.S., providing diversified product and service offerings across the industrial and heavy construction equipment markets for an array of manufacturers including Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc., AB Volvo, and JCB Co., Ltd., among more than 30 others.

With broad end market coverage in the construction, logistics and warehousing, wholesale and retail trade, and manufacturing industries, Alta Equipment Holdings’ business model consists of populating its geographies with new, used and rental equipment and contracting with its vast customer base to provide product support and services. Following the consummation of the business combination and the closing of the potential acquisitions, Alta Equipment Group will operate in 43 locations across Michigan, Illinois, New England, New York and Florida. The business combination is expected to accelerate the company’s acquisition strategy, including its geographical market expansion plans.

The Alta Equipment Group’s executive management team will continue to be led by Chief Executive Officer Ryan Greenawalt. The board of directors is expected to include Greenawalt, who will serve as Chairman, and Dan Shribman, Chief Investment Officer of B. Riley Financial and the Chief Financial Officer of BRPM.

Greenawalt joined Alta Equipment Holdings Inc. in 2008 and under his leadership, the company has successfully acquired 16 equipment dealers, grown revenue at a compounded annual rate of approximately 27 percent for the period from 2008 to 2019 (after taking into account the potential acquisitions that are anticipated to close at the time of the business combination), and created substantial equity value.

"The business combination with BRPM is an important next step in our growth strategy as we look to leverage our strong operating platform by expanding our dealer network in a fragmented market and driving profitable growth and cash flow. This transaction is a great fit for Alta, providing efficient access to the public markets in partnership with a savvy investment firm with a terrific track record of supporting growth companies and positioning them to build shareholder value,” Greenawalt said. “We look forward to partnering with Bryant Riley, Chairman and CEO of B. Riley Financial, Dan Shribman and the B. Riley Financial team and to becoming a publicly listed company."

Shribman said, "We are thrilled to be able to partner with Ryan and his team. Alta exhibits a rare combination of value, growth and tremendous leadership. Ryan's stewardship over the last decade speaks for itself. The pro forma business is anchored off an extremely high-quality parts- and service-led cash flow stream that we believe public markets will come to appreciate. Our growth lever is a robust acquisition pipeline, which we believe we are uniquely positioned to execute as the only publicly-listed industrial and construction dealership group in the country."

Bryant Riley, Chairman and CEO of B. Riley Financial, said, "Alta is the exact type of company we envisioned bringing to market when we raised BRPM. This is a high-quality growth business with a proven management team that we believe deserves and will benefit from public currency. We have already seen a strong reception from a diverse group of long-term oriented shareholders, and we are excited to serve as a strategic partner to Alta in support of its future growth."

Transaction Terms & Financing
The business combination has been approved by the boards of directors of both Alta Equipment Holdings Inc.  and BRPM. The business combination is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020, subject to regulatory and stockholder approvals.

  • The approximately $550 million business combination is expected to be funded through a combination of equity and debt financings, including:
  • $300 million in a new asset-based revolving credit facility being arranged by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., of which approximately $140 million will be drawn at closing;
  • $170 million in a new term loan credit facility under documentation with a syndication of institutional investors;
  • $35 million of common stock committed to be sold in a private placement with certain institutional and accredited investors; and
  • $25 million of units consisting of one share of common stock and one-half of one redeemable warrant to be sold to B. Riley Principal Investments or its designees at $10.00 per unit in a private placement pursuant to a forward purchase agreement.

B. Riley FBR, Inc. is acting as the exclusive placement agent to BRPM. Winston & Strawn LLP is acting as legal advisor to BRPM. KPMG is acting as financial advisor to Alta Equipment Holdings. Howard & Howard is acting as legal advisor to Alta Equipment Holdings.

Comments From Our Members
