Blue Coat Agrees To Be Acquired By Private Equity Firm Thoma Bravo
Shareholders to receive $25.81 per share in cash; transaction valued at approximately $1.3B
Blue Coat Systems, Inc., a leading provider of Web security and WAN optimization solutions, recently announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an investor group led by San Francisco-based private equity investment firm Thoma Bravo, LLC, in a transaction valued at approximately $1.3B. The Blue Coat Board of Directors has approved the agreement and resolved to recommend that the shareholders of Blue Coat adopt this agreement. Blue Coat will continue to operate with its focus on Web security and WAN optimization.
The investor group is led by Thoma Bravo and includes the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (Teachers') through its private investor department, Teachers' Private Capital.
Under the terms of the agreement, Blue Coat shareholders will receive $25.81 in cash for each share of Blue Coat common stock they hold, representing a premium of approximately 48% over Blue Coat's closing price on December 8, 2011 and a premium of approximately 62% over the 60-day trailing average for the period ended December 8, 2011.
"Over the last six months, our Board of Directors engaged in a comprehensive review of all strategic options available to Blue Coat," said David W. Hanna, Chairman of the Board, Blue Coat Systems, Inc. "After an extensive evaluation of strategic alternatives with our independent advisors, the Board has determined that the definitive agreement with Thoma Bravo provides an attractive all-cash valuation to our shareholders. We look forward to completing the transaction under the terms of the agreement as expeditiously as possible."
"Blue Coat has strong, differentiated products for protecting enterprises from the ever increasing levels of Web-based security threats and for accelerating and optimizing applications and rich media content, such as video, over their networks," said Gregory S. Clark, president and chief executive officer, Blue Coat Systems, Inc. "Our partnership with Thoma Bravo will assist Blue Coat in more aggressively realizing the opportunities in its two markets, by providing a platform that enables greater focus on the business that supports the future growth of the company."
"Blue Coat is an award-winning, global leader in next generation Web security and WAN optimization, and we welcome the opportunity to work with its existing management team," said Orlando Bravo, managing partner at Thoma Bravo. "As a private company, Blue Coat will be better positioned to innovate at an accelerated rate and achieve a higher level of growth."
"Blue Coat marks the continuation of Thoma Bravo's investment efforts in the security technology industry, and is the firm's fifth security technology platform investment," said Seth Boro, partner at Thoma Bravo. "We are excited to partner with Blue Coat on strengthening its industry leadership position through product innovation, enhancing its world-class customer support and identifying organic and strategic growth opportunities."
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including requisite regulatory approvals and approval of Blue Coat shareholders. Blue Coat expects the transaction to close in the first calendar quarter of 2012
For further information regarding all terms and conditions contained in the definitive merger agreement, please see Blue Coat's Current Report on Form 8-K, which will be filed in connection with this transaction.
Goldman, Sachs & Co. is serving as financial advisor to Blue Coat.
Thoma Bravo, LLC has received financing commitments from Jefferies Finance LLC
About Blue Coat Systems
Blue Coat Systems is a leading provider of Web security and WAN optimization solutions. Blue Coat offers solutions that provide the visibility, acceleration and security required to optimize and secure the flow of information to any user, on any network, anywhere. This application intelligence enables enterprises to tightly align network investments with business requirements, speed decision making and secure business applications for long-term competitive advantage. Blue Coat also offers service provider solutions for managed security and WAN optimization, as well as carrier-grade caching solutions to save on bandwidth and enhance the end-user Web experience. For more information, visit www.bluecoat.com.
About Thoma Bravo LLC.
Thoma Bravo is a leading private equity investment firm that has been providing equity and strategic support to experienced management teams building growing companies for 30 years. The firm originated the concept of industry consolidation investing, which seeks to create value through the strategic use of acquisitions to accelerate business growth. Thoma Bravo applies its investment strategy across multiple industries, with a particular focus on the software and service sectors, and works in partnership with management to implement its operating and consolidation expertise to build long-term value. In software, Thoma Bravo has completed more than 46 add-on acquisitions across 18 platform companies with total annual earnings of approximately $1B. For more information, visit www.thomabravo.com.
Information regarding the solicitation of proxies
In connection with the proposed transaction, Blue Coat will file a proxy statement and relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction with the SEC relating to the solicitation of proxies to vote at a special meeting of stockholders to be called to approve the proposed transaction. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to the stockholders of the company in advance of the special meeting. Shareholders of Blue Coat are urged to read the proxy statement and other relevant materials when they become available because they will contain important information about Blue Coat and the proposed transaction. Shareholders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement and any other relevant documents filed by Blue Coat with the SEC (when available) at the SEC's Web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, shareholders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Blue Coat by contacting Blue Coat Investor Relations by e-mail at jane.underwood@bluecoat.com or by phone at 408-541-3015.
Blue Coat and its directors and certain executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Blue Coat shareholders in respect of the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Blue Coat and their respective interests in Blue Coat by security holdings or otherwise is set forth in its proxy statements and Annual Reports on Form 10-K, previously filed with the SEC. Investors may obtain additional information regarding the interest of the participants by reading the proxy statement regarding the acquisition when it becomes available. Each of these documents is, or will be, available for free at the SEC's Web site at www.sec.gov and at the Blue Coat Investor Relations Web site at: www.bluecoat.com/company/corporate-investor.
SOURCE: Blue Coat Systems, Inc.