CAI International entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Mitsubishi HC Capital. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Mitsubishi HC Capital will acquire all of CAI’s outstanding and fully diluted common stock in an all-cash transaction for $56 per share, which represents a total equity value of approximately $1.1 billion, consisting of $104 million (par value) of preferred stock and $986 million of common stock equity value, assuming a fully-diluted share count of 17.6 million based on the treasury stock method, and an enterprise value of $2.9 billion, based on balance sheet information included in CAI’s most recent quarterly report as of March 31.

“After a review of strategic alternatives by our board of directors, we are pleased to reach this agreement with MHC, which we believe is in the long-term best interests of our shareholders. This merger is the culmination of discussions that started in fall of 2019,” David Remington, chairman of CAI’s board of directors, said. “During those discussions, we have been most impressed by the vision of MHC, a vision shared by Hiromitsu Ogawa, who founded CAI over 30 years ago. Mr. Ogawa built a world class container leasing company by focusing on delivering value to customers and we are pleased that this vision will endure. We believe our shipping line customers and manufacturing partners will most certainly benefit from the scale and financial strength of the merged company.”

The cash consideration of $56 per share of common stock represents a 46.8% premium over CAI’s closing stock price on June 17 and a 31.3% premium over the volume weighted average share price during the 60 trading days ended June 17. Holders of the company’s Series A and Series B preferred stock will receive cash equal to $25 per share of preferred stock plus all accrued and unpaid dividends as of the date the merger is consummated.

CAI’s board of directors unanimously approved the transaction, which is currently expected to close in the late Q3/21 or early Q4/21. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by CAI’s stockholders and receipt of certain regulatory and lender approvals, as well as the migration of the jurisdiction of certain of the company’s subsidiaries to the United States. The transaction is not contingent on receipt of financing by Mitsubishi HC Capital.

CAI will continue to pay quarterly non-pro-rated dividends at $0.30 per share per quarter until the closing of the transaction. Following the closing, shares of capital stock of CAI will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

CAI’s board of directors also unanimously voted to promote Timothy Page from interim president and CEO to president and CEO.

“Over the past year, we have delivered on the commitment we made to our shareholders to return CAI’s focus to its core container leasing business,” Page said. “Executing on that strategy put CAI in position to partner with MHC, a strong, quality, global financial organization. Going forward, the combination of CAI and MHC will allow MHC to leverage CAI’s global marketing and operational expertise and, along with MHC’s existing container investments, will provide enhanced value to MHC’s container leasing customers, suppliers, employees and other stakeholders. After the closing of the transaction, MHC expects to retain CAI’s existing management team and employees. CAI’s headquarters will remain in San Francisco.”

Centerview Partners is acting as the exclusive financial advisor to CAI and Perkins Coie is acting as CAI’s legal advisor.