RESTON, Va. - Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: BWMN), a national engineering services firm, has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Surdex Corporation, a geospatial and engineering services firm. The $44 million deal, which includes cash, seller notes, and shares, is expected to close by April 10, 2024, pending customary closing conditions.
Surdex Corporation, a St. Louis-based company established in 1954, specializes in digital orthoimagery, LiDAR, and intelligent digital mapping. Their services support various public and private sector functions, such as infrastructure planning, environmental studies, and disaster response planning. Surdex's clientele includes multiple state departments of transportation and federal agencies like the US Department of Agriculture and the US Geological Survey.
Gary Bowman, CEO of Bowman, sees the acquisition as a strategic move to expand geospatial services and grow public sector market presence. He anticipates immediate cost savings and revenue synergies, citing Surdex's high-resolution image capture and processing services as key assets. Ron Hoffmann, president of Surdex, expressed confidence in the partnership, highlighting Bowman's market access as a decisive factor in the agreement.
The acquisition is set to enhance Bowman's offerings by integrating Surdex's high-altitude geospatial solutions with its terrestrial and low-altitude capabilities. Surdex is projected to operate at an annualized net service billing run rate of approximately $28 million post-acquisition.
The transaction's purchase price multiple on adjusted EBITDA is at the higher end of Bowman's target range, but the acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive with respect to adjusted EBITDA per share, a non-GAAP metric. Bowman will provide more detailed information on M&A activities and guidance updates in its upcoming quarterly and annual communications.
This move marks a significant step for Bowman as it continues to expand its services and solidify its position in the geospatial market. The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Bowman Consulting Group.
InvestingPro Insights
Bowman Consulting Group Ltd.'s definitive agreement to acquire Surdex Corporation represents a strategic expansion into the geospatial sector. As the company embarks on this significant step, it's valuable to consider the financial health and market performance of Bowman, as reflected in key metrics and insights from InvestingPro.
InvestingPro Data shows a robust revenue growth of 32.3% over the last twelve months as of Q4 2023, with a gross profit margin standing impressively at 50.84%. This indicates that Bowman has been effectively managing its cost of goods sold and suggests potential for leveraging economies of scale following the acquisition. The company's market capitalization is currently at $547.31M USD, providing a sense of its size and market value.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that analysts are optimistic about Bowman's future profitability, predicting net income growth this year. This outlook could be bolstered by the acquisition's anticipated immediate cost savings and revenue synergies. Moreover, the company's impressive gross profit margins are a testament to its strong operational efficiency, which may be further enhanced by integrating Surdex's specialized services.
Still, it is worth noting that Bowman has been trading at a high EBITDA valuation multiple and operates with a moderate level of debt, which investors should consider in the context of the acquisition's financial structure. Additionally, the stock has experienced volatility with a significant hit over the last week, but it has also seen a large price uptick over the last six months, reflecting a dynamic market performance.
For investors seeking a deeper dive into Bowman's financials and market outlook, InvestingPro offers detailed analytics and additional tips, with a total of 11 InvestingPro Tips available for Bowman. To access these insights and inform your investment decisions, visit https://www.investing.com/pro/BWMN and use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription.
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