LONDON: National Express Group PLC has acquired 60 percent of the shares of WeDriveU Holdings Inc., Silicon Valley’s premier employee shuttle company, against a cash consideration of US$84.3 million.
WeDriveU provides employee shuttle services to many of the largest Fortune 500 companies based in Silicon Valley and the broader San Francisco Bay Area. It also has a presence in several other fast-growing US cities (such as Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston, Portland, Denver and Austin), presenting other platforms for growth in the employee shuttle market. The business has grown rapidly in recent years, as many new contracts have been won and existing customers’ services have expanded.
The remaining WeDriveU shares are held by Dennis Carlson (the CEO) and the senior management team, who will remain in place to oversee the next phase of their expansion. As part of the Transaction, National Express and the WeDriveU management team retain call and put options, respectively, over the remaining shares, exercisable annually over the next three years, with the option price determined by reference to WeDriveU’s profitability.
With this acquisition National Express will form a new shuttle division within its North American business, led by the WeDriveU management team, to drive expansion in the employee, university and hospital shuttle markets. Together these US markets are worth over US$5 billion in annual revenue.
WeDriveU transports almost 7 million passengers annually and is an asset light business. In the year ended 31 December 2018, it generated annual revenues of $139.9 million, normalised EBITDA of $21.1 million and normalised operating profit of $15.4 million; as at 31 December 2018 gross assets were $80 million. The Transaction will be earnings accretive from completion.
Dean Finch, CEO of National Express Group, said: “I am delighted WeDriveU are joining National Express as part of our strategic acquisition programme. As the premier operator in Silicon Valley and the wider San Francisco Bay Area, WeDriveU provides the opportunity for expansion into a fast-growing market. WeDriveU also has a presence in other fast-growing cities in the US, which present other platforms for growth in this very attractive market.
“I am impressed with the growth Dennis has achieved in recent years and the whole business’ commitment to safety and customer service, which mirrors our own. I look forward to working with Dennis and his team to achieve their exciting growth plans and exploit additional, complementary opportunities as part of National Express Group to deliver further value to our shareholders.”
WeDriveU’s Chairman and CEO Dennis Carlson said: “I am delighted to be joining National Express. We have grown our business significantly in recent years and plan to continue expanding into new markets, drawing on National Express’ reputation for excellence and its extensive nationwide presence. I look forward to working with Dean and the team in this exciting next phase for our business.”[the_ad id=”31605”]