Information included herein is subject to completion or amendment. A Registration Statement on Form 10 relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
PRELIMINARY INFORMATION STATEMENT
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 14, 2013
ERA GROUP INC.
Common Stock
(par value $0.01)
SEACOR Holdings Inc. (“SEACOR”) is furnishing this Information Statement to its stockholders in connection with the planned distribution by SEACOR to its stockholders of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of its wholly owned subsidiary, Era Group Inc. (“Era Group,” “we,” “us” or “our”).
SEACOR will distribute all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Era Group on a pro rata basis to holders of SEACOR common stock, which we refer to as the “distribution.” We refer to the separation of Era Group from SEACOR as the “separation” or the “spin-off.” Holders of SEACOR common stock as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 24, 2013, the record date for the distribution, will be entitled to receive one share of Era Group common stock for every share of SEACOR common stock held thereby. The distribution will be made in book-entry form. We expect that the spin-off will be tax-free to SEACOR’s stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Immediately after the distribution is completed, we will be an independent, publicly traded company. No action will be required of you to receive shares of Era Group common stock, which means that:
| |
• | we are not asking you for a proxy, and you should not send us a proxy; |
| |
• | you will not be required to pay for the shares of our common stock that you receive in the distribution; and |
| |
• | you do not need to surrender or exchange any of your SEACOR common stock in order to receive shares of our common stock, or take any other action in connection with the spin-off. |
There is currently no trading market for our common stock. However, we expect that a limited market, commonly known as a “when issued” trading market, for our common stock will develop on or shortly prior to the record date for the distribution, and we expect “regular way” trading of our common stock will begin the first trading day after the completion of the distribution. We have received approval to list our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “ERA.”
In reviewing this Information Statement, you should carefully consider the matters described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 23 for a discussion of certain factors that should be considered by recipients of our common stock.
We are an Emerging Growth Company as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act. See page 14.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Information Statement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This Information Statement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.
The date of this Information Statement is , 2013.
This Information Statement is being furnished solely to provide information to SEACOR stockholders who will receive shares of our common stock in the distribution. It is not and is not to be construed as an inducement or encouragement to buy or sell any of our securities or any securities of SEACOR. This Information Statement describes our business, our relationship with SEACOR and how the spin-off affects us and SEACOR and its stockholders, and provides other information to assist you in evaluating the benefits and risks of holding or disposing of our common stock that you will receive in the distribution. You should be aware of certain risks relating to the spin-off, our business and ownership of our common stock, which are described under the heading “Risk Factors.”
You should not assume that the information contained in this Information Statement is accurate as of any date other than the date set forth on the cover. Changes to the information contained in this Information Statement may occur after that date, and we undertake no obligation to update the information, except in the normal course of our public disclosure obligations and practices.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THE SPIN-OFF
Set forth below are commonly asked questions and answers about the spin-off and the transactions contemplated thereby. You should read the section entitled “The Spin-Off” elsewhere in this Information Statement for a more detailed description of the matters described below.
All references in this Information Statement to “SEACOR” refer to SEACOR Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation; all references in this Information Statement to “Era Group,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Era Group Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of SEACOR. Throughout this Information Statement, we refer to the shares of SEACOR common stock, $0.01 par value per share, as SEACOR common stock or SEACOR shares; and the Era Group common stock, par value $0.01 per share, that will be distributed in the distribution as Era Group common stock, our common stock or Era Group shares.
Q: What is the spin-off?
| |
A: | The spin-off is the transaction of separating Era Group from SEACOR, which will be accomplished by distributing our common stock pro rata to holders of SEACOR common stock. If all conditions to the effectiveness of the spin-off are met, then all of the outstanding shares of Era Group common stock will be distributed to holders of SEACOR common stock on the distribution date. Every share of SEACOR common stock outstanding as of the record date for the distribution will entitle its holder to receive one share of Era Group common stock. Following the spin-off, SEACOR will no longer hold any outstanding capital stock of Era Group, all of which will be held by SEACOR stockholders as of the record date, and Era Group will be an independent, publicly traded company. We have applied to list our common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “ERA.” |
| |
Q: | What will happen to Era Group’s Series A and Series B preferred stock and Class A and Class B common stock? |
| |
A: | We currently have two classes of authorized common stock: Class A and Class B, of which only Class B common stock is outstanding, and two series of authorized preferred stock: Series A and Series B, of which only Series A preferred stock remains outstanding. SEACOR owns all of the outstanding shares of our capital stock, including our Class B common stock and our Series A preferred stock. Prior to consummation of the Series B Exchange (as defined below), SEACOR also owned all of the outstanding shares of our Series B preferred stock. On December 18, 2012, we entered into an agreement with SEACOR (the “Series B Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement”) pursuant to which SEACOR transferred to us 500,000 shares of our Series B preferred stock ($50.0 million in liquidation value) that it held in partial satisfaction for the benefit that SEACOR (and other SEACOR U.S. federal consolidated group members) will receive by applying U.S. federal net operating losses generated by us in 2012 against SEACOR group taxable income. We repurchased for cash the remaining 500,000 shares of Series B preferred stock ($50.0 million in liquidation value) outstanding not transferred to us as described in the preceding sentence for $50.0 million (the transfer and purchase collectively referred to as the “Series B Exchange”). We funded the cash repurchase with borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements between SEACOR and Era Group Relating to the Separation—Series B Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement.” Immediately before the spin-off we will recapitalize (the “Recapitalization”) our then outstanding capital stock and will exchange our then outstanding Class B common stock and Series A preferred stock for shares of newly-issued common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Following the Recapitalization, we will have only one class of common stock issued and outstanding, and no preferred stock will be outstanding. The common stock that SEACOR receives in the Recapitalization, which will represent all of our outstanding capital stock at that time, will be the stock distributed by SEACOR in the spin-off. |
Q: What is the reason for the spin-off?
| |
A: | SEACOR regularly reviews and evaluates the various businesses that SEACOR conducts and the fit that these businesses have within its overall business and growth strategies to help ensure that SEACOR’s resources are being put to use in a manner that is in the best interests of SEACOR and its stockholders. In August 2011, SEACOR determined to commence an initial public offering (“IPO”) process in respect of our Class A common stock pursuant to which shares of our Class A common stock would have been sold to the public markets. It was anticipated that following the consummation of our IPO, SEACOR would have retained a majority controlling interest in our company. For a number of reasons, including the then existing state of the equity capital markets, it was determined that we abandon the IPO and pursue the spin-off. This determination was made based on SEACOR’s board of directors' belief that the separation of our business from SEACOR's other businesses was the most efficient manner to distribute the business to SEACOR’s stockholders and that separating us from SEACOR would provide financial, operational and managerial benefits to both SEACOR and us, including but not limited to the following: |
| |
• | Ability to Use Equity as Consideration for Acquisitions. The spin-off will provide each of SEACOR and us with enhanced flexibility to use our respective stock as consideration in pursuing certain financial and strategic objectives, including mergers and acquisitions involving other companies or businesses engaged in our respective industries. |
We believe that we will be able to more easily facilitate future strategic transactions with businesses in our industry through the use of our stand-alone stock as consideration. Although we have no current plans to engage in a merger or similar transaction with any particular company, we believe that potential targets in our industry are often more interested in receiving stock of a company, the value of which is tied directly to the helicopter services business, rather than stock of a more diversified company in which value is tied to a number of other businesses in addition to the helicopter services business. Further, SEACOR believes that potential acquisition targets of some of its other businesses would be more interested in pursuing transactions in which they received stock, the value of which is not tied, in part, to the helicopter services business.
| |
• | Improved Management Incentive Tools. We expect to use equity-based incentive awards to compensate current and future employees. SEACOR believes that compensation of our employees in the form of SEACOR equity does not serve the desired purpose of incentivizing our employees to maximize our profits because the relative performance and size of SEACOR’s other businesses have a significant impact on the value of SEACOR equity-based compensation issued to our employees. Following the distribution, appreciation in the value of shares underlying our equity-based awards granted to our employees will no longer be impacted by the performance of SEACOR’s other businesses. Rather, equity-based incentive awards granted to our employees following the distribution will be tied directly to our performance, providing employees with incentives more closely linked to the achievement of our specific performance objectives. This will better align our employee interests with the interests of our stockholders. SEACOR also believes that equity-based compensation arrangements tied more closely to our performance will benefit recruitment efforts. Certain members of our senior management have expressed a strong preference for receiving equity compensation tied solely to our performance. We believe that offering equity compensation tied directly to our performance will assist in attracting and retaining qualified personnel, especially in light of the fact that many of our competitors have the ability to provide employees with equity compensation tied directly to the helicopter services business. |
| |
• | Focused Management. The separation will allow management of each company to devote its time and attention to the development and implementation of corporate strategies and policies that are based primarily on the specific business characteristics of the respective companies without the need to consider the effect those decisions may have on the other company. SEACOR has a limited pool of capital with which to develop its businesses and pursue new projects. SEACOR’s management spends significant time determining how this capital will be allocated among its businesses. An increasing amount of SEACOR’s capital has been allocated to us, to the detriment of SEACOR’s other businesses, to finance the expansion and modernization of our fleet. This has resulted in significant pressure in the allocation of capital among us and SEACOR’s other businesses. SEACOR’s board of directors believes that the spin-off will allow the management of each of us and SEACOR to focus on our and its respective businesses rather than spend significant time resolving the appropriate allocation of capital. |
In addition, the SEACOR board of directors believes that following the spin-off, the aggregate value of our common stock and SEACOR’s common stock should, over time and assuming the same market conditions, exceed the pre-spin-off value of SEACOR’s common stock. SEACOR’s board of directors believes that the public markets and securities analysts have a difficult time evaluating SEACOR because of the combination of our business activities focused on helicopter assets and services and SEACOR’s other businesses primarily focused on marine assets and services. The board of directors believes public market participants may not fully understand each of the business units, and it is more difficult to compare SEACOR to companies that primarily operate in only one of these business lines. As a result, SEACOR’s board of directors believes that the market value of SEACOR’s common stock does not accurately reflect the total value of its individual business units. SEACOR’s board of directors believes that by separating us from SEACOR and creating an independent company focused on helicopter assets and services, while retaining SEACOR’s other businesses that are primarily focused on marine assets and services, it will be easier for investors and analysts to better understand the business strengths and future prospects of each company's respective businesses. SEACOR’s board of directors believes that, over time, this will result in better stock market analysis and a higher aggregate stock price for our and SEACOR’s common stock. The SEACOR board of directors believes that a higher aggregate stock price will help facilitate some of the other business purposes of the spin-off, particularly by limiting the dilutive effect of equity issuances in connection with employee compensation arrangements and business acquisitions. Despite the belief of SEACOR’s board of directors, we cannot assure you that following the spin-off the aggregate value of our common stock and SEACOR’s common stock will ever exceed the pre-spin-off value of SEACOR’s common stock and it is possible that our common stock will come under initial selling pressure which could affect the value of our common stock in the near term. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Common Stock—Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales might occur, could reduce the price of our common stock and may dilute your voting power and your ownership interest in us.”
SEACOR’s board of directors also considered a number of potentially negative factors in evaluating the separation including, in the case of (i) both companies, increased costs, disruptions to the businesses as a result of the separation, the risk of being unable to achieve expected benefits from the separation, the risk that the separation might not be completed, the initial costs of the separation and the ongoing costs of our operating as a separate, publicly traded company, (ii) SEACOR, that the separation would eliminate from SEACOR the valuable businesses of Era Group in a transaction that produces no direct economic consideration for SEACOR and (iii) us, the loss of the ability to obtain capital resources from SEACOR and the limitations placed on us as a result of the Tax Matters Agreement (as defined below) and other agreements expected to be entered into in connection with the spin-off.
For further discussion of these and other considerations, see “The Spin-Off—Reasons for the Spin-Off.”
Q: What are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to me of the separation?
| |
A: | It is a condition to the completion of the distribution that SEACOR obtain (i) a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) together with an opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, tax counsel to SEACOR, substantially to the effect that, among other things, the separation qualifies as a transaction that is tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or (ii) an opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, substantially to the effect that the separation qualifies as a transaction that is described in Section 355(a) of the Code. Assuming the separation so qualifies, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, no gain or loss generally will be recognized by SEACOR in connection with the separation and no gain or loss will be recognized by you, and no amount will be included in your income, upon the receipt of Era Group shares in the distribution. For more information regarding the private letter ruling and the potential U.S. federal income tax consequences to SEACOR and to you of the separation, see the section entitled “The Spin-Off—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.” |
Q: What will I receive in the spin-off?
| |
A: | Each share of SEACOR common stock outstanding as of the record date for the distribution will entitle its holder to receive one share of Era Group common stock. For a more detailed description, see “The Spin-Off.” |
Q: What is being distributed in the spin-off?
| |
A: | Approximately 19.9 million shares of our common stock will be distributed in the spin-off, based on the number of SEACOR common shares we expect to be outstanding as of the record date. The shares of our common stock to be distributed by SEACOR will constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock immediately prior to the distribution after giving effect to the Recapitalization. For more information on the shares being distributed in the spin-off, see “Description of Our Capital Stock—Common Stock.” |
Q: On what date did the SEACOR board of directors approve the spin-off and declare the spin-off dividend?
A: The SEACOR board of directors approved the spin-off and declared the spin-off dividend on January 14, 2013.
Q: What is the record date for the distribution?
| |
A: | Record ownership will be determined as of 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on January 24, 2013 which we refer to as the record date. |
Q: When will the separation be completed?
| |
A: | The distribution date for the distribution, which is the date on which we will distribute shares of Era Group common stock, is expected to be January 31, 2013. The separation will be completed pursuant to the terms of a Distribution Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) between SEACOR and Era Group. We expect that it will take the distribution agent, acting on behalf of SEACOR, up to 10 days after the distribution date to fully distribute the shares of Era Group common stock to SEACOR stockholders, which will be accomplished in book-entry form. However, your ability to trade our common stock received in the distribution will not be affected during this time. It is also possible that factors outside our control, or a decision by SEACOR to terminate the Distribution Agreement pursuant to its terms, could require us to complete the separation at a later time or not at all. See “The Spin-Off.” |
Q: What do I have to do to participate in the distribution?
| |
A: | No action will be required of SEACOR stockholders to receive shares of Era Group common stock, which means that (1) SEACOR is not seeking and you are not being asked to send a proxy, (2) you will not be required to pay for the shares of Era Group common stock that you receive in the separation, and (3) you do not need to surrender or exchange any shares of SEACOR common stock in order to receive shares of Era Group common stock, or take any other action in connection with the distribution. |
Q: What are the estimated costs that Era Group will incur in connection with the spin-off?
| |
A: | We expect to incur approximately $3.2 million annually for the services provided under the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement. As we transition the functions covered by the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement to us over the two year term of the agreement, the amount paid to SEACOR will be reduced by the fee related to that respective support function. All other expenses incurred by us or SEACOR in connection with the spin-off will be paid by SEACOR. |
Q: Will Era Group have a relationship with SEACOR following the spin-off?
| |
A: | In connection with the spin-off, we will enter into the Distribution Agreement and other agreements with SEACOR that will govern the relationship between us and SEACOR after the completion of the spin-off. The Distribution Agreement, in particular, will set forth our agreement with SEACOR regarding the principal transactions necessary to separate us from SEACOR. The Distribution Agreement will provide that on the distribution date, after giving effect to the Recapitalization, SEACOR will distribute to its stockholders one share of our common stock for every share of SEACOR common stock held by SEACOR stockholders. It will also provide (i) for the removal of any guarantees that are necessary in advance of the separation, (ii) for the settlement or extinguishment of certain liabilities and other obligations between us and SEACOR and (iii) broad releases pursuant to which we will release SEACOR and its affiliates and indemnify and hold them harmless against any claims that arise out of or relate to the spin-off or the management of our business and affairs prior to the distribution date. |
We will also enter into an Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement”) with SEACOR pursuant to which SEACOR will continue to provide us with certain support services on an interim basis, including payroll processing, information systems support, benefit plan management, cash disbursement support, cash receipt processing and treasury management. Amounts payable for services provided under the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement will be calculated on a fixed-fee basis, with the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement specifying fixed fees for each category of services. The Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement may continue in effect for two years after the spin-off, subject to certain exceptions. Initially, we expect to pay SEACOR an aggregate annualized fee of $3.2 million for the services provided under the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement. As we transition the functions covered by the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement to us over the two year term of the agreement, the amount paid to SEACOR will be reduced by the fee related to that respective support function.
Prior to consummation of the spin-off we will also enter into a Tax Matters Agreement (the “Tax Matters Agreement”) and Employee Matters Agreement (the “Employee Matters Agreement”) with SEACOR. In addition, on December 18, 2012, we entered into the Series B Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement with SEACOR and consummated the Series B Exchange.
For a more detailed discussion of each of the agreements we will enter into with SEACOR in connection with the spin-off, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements between SEACOR and Era Group Relating to the Separation.”
| |
Q: | How will SEACOR equity awards be affected as a result of the spin-off? |
| |
A: | In connection with the spin-off, we currently expect that, subject to approval of the SEACOR board of directors, SEACOR’s outstanding equity-based compensation awards will generally be treated as follows: |
Treatment of SEACOR Restricted Stock Awards
In connection with the spin-off, except with respect to SEACOR restricted stock awards granted to our CEO, Mr. Gustafson, and our CFO, Mr. Bradshaw, in December 2012, outstanding restricted stock awards of SEACOR common stock held by our employees and employees and directors of SEACOR that were granted under SEACOR’s equity incentive plans will generally be treated the same as other shares of SEACOR’s common stock in the spin-off. Holders of these SEACOR restricted stock awards will be entitled to receive one fully vested share of our common stock for each SEACOR restricted stock award held by such employee. All other terms of these SEACOR restricted stock awards will remain the same, including continued vesting of SEACOR restricted stock awards pursuant to the vesting schedule of the current awards. In connection with the spin-off, due to the size of the grants and the proximity of the grants to the anticipated distribution date, SEACOR restricted stock awards granted to Messrs. Gustafson and Bradshaw in December 2012 will be converted into restricted stock awards for our common stock. All other terms of these awards, including vesting schedule, will remain the same.
Treatment of SEACOR Stock Options
In connection with the spin-off, outstanding stock options to purchase shares of SEACOR common stock granted to employees and directors of SEACOR under SEACOR’s equity incentive plans will be adjusted to reflect the difference in value prior to the spin-off of SEACOR’s common stock on the “regular way” market and “ex-dividend” market for such stock and to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options, by changing the exercise price and number of shares of SEACOR common stock subject to the stock options. In addition, Era Group employees and directors of SEACOR that will join our board and resign from SEACOR’s board after the spin-off will have their outstanding stock options to purchase shares of SEACOR common stock converted into stock options to purchase shares of our common stock based on an adjustment formula that is meant to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of SEACOR options held prior to the spin-off.
For additional information, see “The Spin-Off—Treatment of SEACOR Stock Awards.”
Q: Will the Era Group common stock be listed on a stock exchange?
| |
A: | Yes. Although there is currently not a public market for our common stock, we have applied to list our common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “ERA.” It is anticipated that trading of our common stock will commence on a “when-issued” basis on or shortly prior to the record date for the distribution. When-issued trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. When-issued trades generally settle within four trading days after the distribution date. On the first trading day following the distribution date, when-issued trading with respect to our common stock will end and “regular-way” trading will begin. “Regular-way” trading refers to trading after a security has been issued and typically involves a transaction that settles on the third full trading day following the date of the transaction. |
Q: Will the distribution affect the trading price of my SEACOR common stock?
| |
A: | Yes, the trading price of SEACOR common stock immediately following the distribution is expected to change because its trading price will no longer reflect the value of Era Group. However, we cannot provide you with any guarantees as to the price at which the SEACOR common stock will trade following the distribution. We also cannot assure you that following the spin-off the aggregate value of our common stock and SEACOR common stock will ever exceed the pre-spin-off value of SEACOR's common stock. |
Q: What indebtedness will Era Group have following the spin-off?
| |
A: | On December 7, 2012, we completed an offering of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.750% senior unsecured notes (the “Senior Notes”) to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A and to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The net proceeds of the offering were used to repay $190.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), which we entered into on December 22, 2011. In connection with the Senior Notes Offering, we permanently reduced the borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility from $350.0 million to $200.0 million. On December 20, 2012, we borrowed $50.0 million under the Revolving Credit Facility to fund the repurchase of 500,000 shares of our Series B preferred stock in the Series B Exchange. Following the completion of the Senior Notes offering and the Series B Exchange, our total indebtedness was $283.2 million, including $200.0 million of Senior Notes, $50.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and $33.2 million of secured debt of one of our subsidiaries, and we had the ability to borrow up to $52.7 million under our Revolving Credit Facility, after taking into account the financial ratios we are required to maintain under the facility. |
Q: Do I have appraisal rights in connection with the separation?
Q: Who is the transfer agent for Era Group shares?
| |
A: | American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. |
Q: Are there any risks in connection with the separation that I should consider?
| |
A: | Yes. There are certain risks associated with the separation. These risk factors are discussed in more detail in the section titled “Risk Factors.” |
Q: Where can I get more information?
| |
A: | If you have any questions relating to the mechanics of the distribution, you should contact the distribution agent at: |
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Tel: (800) 937-5449
Before the spin-off, if you have any questions relating to the Distribution, you should contact SEACOR at:
2200 Eller Drive
P.O. Box 13038
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316
Tel: (954) 523-2200
After the spin-off, if you have any questions relating to Era Group, you should contact us at:
818 Town & Country Blvd.
Suite 200
Houston, Texas 77024
Tel: (281) 606-4900
SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Information Statement and may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. For a more complete understanding of our business and the spin-off, you should read this summary together with the more detailed information and financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Information Statement. You should read this entire Information Statement carefully, including the “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” sections.
Our Company
We are one of the largest helicopter operators in the world and the longest serving helicopter transport operator in the U.S., which is our primary area of operations. In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, approximately 56% and 17% of our total operating revenues were earned in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, respectively. We also provide helicopters and related services to third-party helicopter operators in other countries. In addition to our U.S. customers, we currently have customers in Brazil, Canada, Denmark, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Our helicopters are primarily used to transport personnel to, from and between offshore installations, drilling rigs and platforms.
The primary users of our helicopter services are major integrated and independent oil and gas companies, including Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (“Anadarko”), Shell Exploration and Production Company (“Shell”), and Petrobras America Inc. (“Petrobras America”), and the U.S. government. In the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 63% and 55% of our operating revenues, respectively, were derived from helicopter services, including emergency search and rescue services, provided to clients primarily involved in oil and gas activities. In addition to serving the oil and gas industry, we provide helicopters under contract-lease, air medical services, firefighting support and Alaska flightseeing tours, among other activities. Historically, our operations have primarily served the U.S. offshore oil and gas industry. We have initiated efforts to diversify our revenue base and take advantage of the mobility and versatility of our helicopters in order to expand into other geographic regions.
We own and operate three classes of helicopters:
| |
• | Heavy helicopters, which have twin engines and a typical passenger capacity of 19, are primarily used in support of the deepwater offshore oil and gas industry, frequently in harsh environments or in areas with long distances from shore, such as those in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, Australia and the North Sea. Heavy helicopters are also used to support search and rescue operations. |
| |
• | Medium helicopters, which mostly have twin engines and a typical passenger capacity of 11 to 12, are primarily used to support the offshore oil and gas industry, search and rescue services, air medical services, firefighting activities and corporate uses. |
| |
• | Light helicopters, which may have single or twin engines and a typical passenger capacity of four to nine, are used to support a wide range of activities, including the shallow water oil and gas industry, the mining industry, power line and pipeline surveying, air medical services, tourism and corporate uses. |
The following table identifies the types of helicopters that comprise our fleet and the number of those helicopters in our fleet as of September 30, 2012. “Owned” are those helicopters owned by us. “Joint Ventured” are those helicopters owned by entities in which we have an interest of 50% or less. “Leased-in” are those helicopters leased-in under operating leases. “Managed” are those helicopters that are owned by non-affiliated entities and operated by us for a fee.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Owned(1) | | Joint Ventured | | Leased-in | | Managed | | Total(2) | | Average Age(3) (years) |
Heavy: | | | | | | | | | | | |
EC225 | 10 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 10 |
| | 3 |
|
Total Heavy | 10 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 10 |
| | 3 |
|
Medium: | | | | | | | | | | | |
AW139 | 31 |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 32 |
| | 3 |
|
Bell 212 | 13 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 13 |
| | 34 |
|
Bell 412 | 6 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 6 |
| | 31 |
|
S76 A/A++ | 6 |
| | — |
| | 1 |
| | 1 |
| | 8 |
| | 26 |
|
S76 C/C++ | 8 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2 |
| | 10 |
| | 6 |
|
Total Medium | 64 |
| | 1 |
| | 1 |
| | 3 |
| | 69 |
| | 15 |
|
Light—twin engine: | | | | | | | | | | | |
A109 | 7 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2 |
| | 9 |
| | 6 |
|
BK-117 | — |
| | — |
| | 4 |
| | 4 |
| | 8 |
| | N/A |
|
EC135 | 17 |
| | — |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| | 19 |
| | 4 |
|
EC145 | 3 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2 |
| | 5 |
| | 4 |
|
Total Light—twin engine | 27 |
| | — |
| | 6 |
| | 8 |
| | 41 |
| | 5 |
|
Light—single engine: | | | | | | | | | | | |
A119 | 17 |
| | 7 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 24 |
| | 6 |
|
AS350 | 35 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 35 |
| | 16 |
|
Total Light—single engine | 52 |
| | 7 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 59 |
| | 12 |
|
Total Helicopters | 153 |
| | 8 |
| | 7 |
| | 11 |
| | 179 |
| | 11 |
|
_______________________
| |
(1) | Excludes two BO-105s removed from service. |
| |
(2) | As of September 30, 2012, we had commitments to purchase 12 new helicopters, consisting of two AgustaWestland AW139 medium helicopters, five AgustaWestland AW169 light twin helicopters and five AgustaWestland AW189 medium helicopters, which are not reflected in the table above. See “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Commitments” and “—Contractual Obligations and Financial Commitments.” In addition, we had outstanding options to purchase up to an additional five AW139 medium helicopters and five AW189 medium helicopters. |
| |
(3) | Reflects the average age of helicopters that are owned by us. |
Safety Record
The safety of our passengers and the maintenance of a safe working environment for our employees is our number one operational priority. Our customers subject our operations to regular audits and evaluate us based on our safety record and operational fitness, and we believe our attention to safety is a critical element in obtaining and retaining customers.
We believe we have an excellent safety record and a strong safety culture throughout our organization. We have implemented a safety program that includes, among many other features, (i) transition and recurrent training using flight training devices, (ii) a Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) approved flight operational quality assurance program and (iii) health and usage monitoring systems, otherwise known as HUMS, which automatically monitor and report on vibrations and other anomalies on key components of certain helicopters in our fleet.
Competitive Strengths
We believe the following are our key competitive strengths:
Blended operating and contract-leasing business model—We believe, based on our industry experience and understanding of the business models of our competitors, the combination of operating helicopters and contract-leasing helicopters to other operators is a distinctive business model in the helicopter services industry. We believe our operating business in the U.S. provides a critical competitive benefit when offering helicopters to operators outside the U.S. because our U.S. operations are able to serve as a support center for non-U.S. clients. Our contract-leasing activities, which accounted
for approximately 20% and 28% of our revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011, respectively, enable us to reach new geographic markets, achieve more stable cash flow, create diverse uses for our helicopters and help maintain higher utilization than would otherwise be feasible. In addition, we can penetrate these markets without the cost associated with setting up a full service, proprietary operation. Unlike financial leasing entities, we can work with clients that need helicopters for relatively short-term contracts. We also offer operational support, training, maintenance and access to our inventory of spare parts. We believe this blended business model allows for a more efficient deployment of our capital resources.
Our diverse and modern fleet—We have one of the largest U.S.-based helicopter fleets and one of the largest fleets of helicopters operating on a global basis. We own or lease 12 different models of helicopters, including heavy, medium, light twin engine and light single engine helicopters. As of September 30, 2012, 131 of our helicopters were located in the U.S. and 48 in international markets. As of September 30, 2012, we had placed orders for 12 new helicopters and had outstanding options to purchase up to an additional 10 helicopters. We believe our size allows us to purchase helicopters and spare parts on attractive terms. Since 2004, we have invested over $900.0 million to purchase over 120 helicopters and have sold or otherwise divested 80 helicopters, allowing us to upgrade our fleet's capabilities and reduce the average age of our owned fleet to 11 years.
Asset ownership model—We generally prefer to own, rather than lease, our helicopters because of the additional flexibility and the attractive return potential provided by ownership due to the significant asset value retention of helicopters. As of September 30, 2012, we owned 161 helicopters, either directly or through joint ventures, representing 90% of our total fleet. Helicopters have extended useful lives with various uses across multiple end markets and generally retain a significant amount of their value over their useful lives. Since helicopter components are replaced on a regular basis after a certain number of flight hours, we are consistently installing new components to maintain our fleet. Since SEACOR's acquisition of Era Aviation, Inc. in 2004, we have sold over 70 helicopters for aggregate sale proceeds that exceeded original acquisition costs by over $25.0 million and for an aggregate gain of more than $51.0 million over book value at the time of sale.
Long-term customer relationships—We have longstanding relationships with many of our key oil and gas industry customers and international clients. Our customers include major oil and gas companies, such as Anadarko, Shell and Petrobras America. We also have a long-term relationship with the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (“BSEE”), a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which accounted for 9.4% and 7.2% of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011, respectively. Effective February 2012, we entered into a new contract with BSEE with an initial term of five years that is subject to annual renewal. We believe that our level of service, our technologically advanced fleet and our focus on safety have helped us establish and maintain our long-term customer relationships.
High quality workforce—Our pilots average over 6,800 hours of flight experience, and a significant number of them are qualified to operate more than one type of helicopter. Our mechanics average over 16 years of experience and receive ongoing training from both helicopter manufacturers and our in-house team of professional instructors.
Strong, experienced leadership team—Our senior management team has a broad range of domestic and international experience in the aviation industry. We believe this team has a proven track record of managing assets through market cycles and identifying, acquiring and integrating assets while maintaining efficient operations. Our management team has also been successful in maintaining strong relationships with our customers.
Strategy
Our goal is to be a leading, cost effective global provider of helicopter transport and related services. The following are our key business strategies:
Expand into new and growing geographic markets—We believe there are significant opportunities in offshore oil and gas markets outside of the U.S., and we continually seek to access these growth markets. In July 2011, we acquired an interest in Aeróleo Taxi Aereo S/A (“Aeróleo”), a Brazilian company servicing the Brazilian offshore oil and gas industry and to which we contract-lease helicopters and provide support services. We also have working relationships with operators in Africa, Asia and Australia. We believe that several of these markets are underserved by larger multinational helicopter operators and, as a result, provide us with opportunities for growth.
Further develop contract-leasing opportunities—We believe contract-leasing helps to provide a source of revenues and cash flow and access to emerging, international oil and gas markets. We believe customers look to us for helicopter contract-leasing because of our modern, efficient fleet, with a selection of helicopter models to meet their needs. We intend
to continue to develop and grow our participation in international markets, where the fundamentals for helicopter demand are favorable, particularly to service offshore deepwater installations and new areas of exploration. We believe that the market for contract-leasing will continue to grow as smaller operators in developing areas prefer the limited financial commitments of contracting equipment over purchasing, which has become increasingly difficult for them given the reduction in capital made available from financial institutions to these smaller operators. Under certain circumstances, we may elect to establish our own operations or acquire operating certificates if we believe there is sufficient opportunity in a market to warrant the cost and effort of us offering and overseeing a full-service operation.
Continue to expand and upgrade our versatile fleet—We regularly review our asset portfolio by assessing market conditions and changes in our customers' demand for different helicopter models. We buy, sell and lease out equipment in the ordinary course of our business. As offshore oil and gas drilling and production move to deeper water in most parts of the world, we believe more heavy and medium helicopters may be required in the future. We believe our strong relationships with the original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) will help us maintain an asset base suitable for use within our own operations and for contract-leasing to other operators. In addition, we intend to continue to pursue opportunities to realize value from our fleet's versatility by shifting assets between markets when circumstances warrant.
Continue to selectively diversify sources of earnings and cash flow—Where attractive opportunities exist, we seek to diversify into related markets. One of our joint ventures, Dart Holding Company Ltd. (“Dart”), engineers and manufactures after-market helicopter parts and accessories for sale to helicopter manufacturers and operators, and distributes parts and accessories on behalf of other manufacturers. Another joint venture, Era Training Center LLC (“Era Training”), provides instruction, flight simulator and other training to our employees, pilots working for other helicopter operators, including our competitors and government agencies.
Pursue joint ventures and strategic acquisitions—Over the last few years, in addition to expanding and diversifying our fleet, we have grown our business and entered new markets through joint ventures. Since 2004, we have entered into six joint ventures and partnering arrangements, including Aeróleo, Dart, Era do Brazil LLC, Era Training, Heli-Union Era Australia Pty Ltd. and Lake Palma, S.L. (“Lake Palma”). We regularly seek to identify potential joint venture opportunities, as well as pursue strategic acquisitions when available. For instance, in 2007 we acquired the air medical services operations of Keystone Helicopter Corporation, which we successfully integrated into our operations.
We will continue to build upon the expertise, relationships and buying power in our operating businesses to develop other business opportunities and sources of revenue.
Risks Associated with Our Business
Our business is subject to numerous risks, as discussed more fully in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” which you should read in its entirety. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
| |
• | The effect of the spin-off on our business relationships, operating results and business generally. |
| |
• | Demand for many of our services is impacted by the level of activity in the offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production industry. |
| |
• | Demand for using helicopters is cyclical, not just due to cycles in the oil and gas business but also due to fluctuation in government programs and spending, as well as overall economic conditions. |
| |
• | We are highly dependent upon the level of activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. |
| |
• | The helicopter industry is subject to intense competition. |
| |
• | Difficult economic and financial conditions could have a material adverse effect on us. |
| |
• | Failure to maintain an acceptable safety record may have an adverse impact on our ability to obtain and retain customers. |
| |
• | Incidents involving the helicopter models we operate may result in suspension of operations of those models, whether we or other companies were involved in the incidents. |
| |
• | We rely on relatively few customers for a significant share of our revenues, some of whom are affiliates of ours, the loss of any of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. No assurance can be given that we will be able to maintain these and other customer relationships after the spin-off. |
| |
• | Consolidation of our customer base could adversely affect demand for our services and reduce our revenues. |
| |
• | The implementation by our customers of cost-saving measures could reduce the demand for our services. |
| |
• | Operational risks including, but not limited to, equipment failure and negligence could adversely affect our results of operations and in some instances expose us to liability. |
| |
• | Weather and seasonality can impact our results of operations. |
| |
• | We face control and oversight risks associated with our international operations. |
| |
• | Tax and other legal compliance risks, including anti-corruption statutes, the violation of which may adversely affect our business and operations. |
| |
• | Risks associated with our debt structure and liquidity. |
| |
• | A shortfall in availability of components and parts required for repair and maintenance of our helicopters could adversely affect us, as would cost increases imposed by suppliers if they cannot be passed on to customers or if our equipment has been committed to contracts without coverage for escalating expenses. |
| |
• | Our operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico were adversely impacted by the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig incident and resulting oil spill and may be adversely impacted by new environmental guidelines and regulations adopted in response to that incident. |
| |
• | Any increase in fuel costs may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. |
| |
• | We may not be able to obtain work on acceptable terms covering some of our new helicopters, and some of our new helicopters may replace existing helicopters already under contract, which could adversely affect the utilization of our existing fleet. |
| |
• | If we do not restrict the amount of foreign ownership of our common stock, we could be prohibited from operating helicopters in the U.S., which would adversely impact our business, our financial condition and results of operations. |
| |
• | The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as amended, provides the federal government with broad discretion to restrict the leasing of offshore resources for the production of oil and gas. |
| |
• | Helicopter operations involve risks that may not be covered by our insurance or our insurance may be inadequate to protect us from the liabilities that could arise. |
| |
• | If our employees were to unionize, our operating costs could increase. |
Relationship with SEACOR
We are a subsidiary of SEACOR, a NYSE-listed company that is in the business of owning, operating, investing in and marketing equipment, primarily in the offshore oil and gas, industrial aviation and marine transportation industries. Era Aviation, Inc. was acquired by SEACOR in 2004, and we have conducted our business as SEACOR’s Aviation Services business segment. After giving effect to the spin-off, we will be an independent, publicly traded company. For more information on our relationship with SEACOR, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
SEACOR currently owns all of the outstanding shares of our capital stock, including all of the outstanding shares of our Class B common stock and all of our outstanding Series A preferred stock. Prior to consummation of the Series B Exchange, SEACOR also owned all of the outstanding shares of our Series B preferred stock. On December 18, 2012, we entered into the Series B Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement with SEACOR pursuant to which SEACOR transferred to us 500,000 shares of Series B preferred stock ($50.0 million in liquidation value) that it held in partial satisfaction for the benefit that SEACOR (and other SEACOR U.S. federal consolidated group members) received by applying U.S. federal net operating losses generated by us in 2012 against SEACOR group taxable income. We repurchased for cash the remaining 500,000 shares of Series B preferred stock ($50.0 million in liquidation value) outstanding not transferred to us as described in the preceding sentence for $50.0 million. We funded the cash repurchase with borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements between SEACOR and Era Group Relating to the Separation—Series B Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement.” In the Recapitalization to be effective immediately prior to the spin-off, we will exchange our then outstanding Class B common stock and Series A preferred stock for shares of newly-issued common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Following the Recapitalization, we will have only one class of common stock issued and outstanding, and no preferred stock will be outstanding. The common stock that SEACOR receives in the Recapitalization, which will represent all of our outstanding capital stock, will be the stock distributed by SEACOR in the spin-off.
Immediately before our spin-off from SEACOR, we will enter into a Distribution Agreement, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form 10 of which this Information Statement forms a part, and several other agreements with SEACOR and its subsidiaries related to the spin-off. These agreements will govern the relationship between us and SEACOR after the completion of the spin-off.
SEACOR currently provides us with support functions, including payroll processing, information systems support, benefit plan management, cash disbursement support, cash receipt processing and treasury management pursuant to the terms of a Transition Services Agreement (the “Transition Services Agreement”). SEACOR will continue to provide certain of these services on an interim basis after the separation pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form 10 of which this Information Statement forms a part. Amounts payable for services provided under the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement will be calculated on a fixed-fee basis, with the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement specifying fixed fees for each category of services described therein. The Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement may continue in effect for two years, subject to certain exceptions. Initially, we expect to pay SEACOR an aggregate annualized fee of $3.2 million for the services provided under the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement. As we transition the functions covered by the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement to us over the two year term of the agreement, the amount paid to SEACOR will be reduced by the fee related to that respective support function. For a description of the Transition Services Agreement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Transition Services Agreement.” For a description of the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement and other agreements we have entered or intend to enter into with SEACOR in connection with the separation, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements between SEACOR and Era Group Relating to the Separation.”
Indebtedness
Prior to entering into the Revolving Credit Facility, we participated in a cash management program with SEACOR and, to the extent necessary, relied on advances from SEACOR. In December 2011, we entered into the Revolving Credit Facility to fund capital expenditures. The Revolving Credit Facility matures in December 2016 and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our election, either a “base rate” or LIBOR, plus in each case, an applicable margin. The facility requires us to comply with certain financial ratios and, as a result, our ability to borrow under the facility is limited by our ability to comply with these ratios.
On December 7, 2012, we completed an offering of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.750% Senior Notes to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A and to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S of the Securities Act. The net proceeds of the offering were used to repay $190.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility. In connection with the Senior Notes Offering, we permanently reduced the borrowing capacity under that facility from $350.0 million to $200.0 million. On December 20, 2012, we borrowed $50.0 million under the Revolving Credit Facility to fund the repurchase of 500,000 shares of Series B preferred stock in the Series B Exchange. In addition, one of our subsidiaries is the borrower under two separate promissory notes, with $33.2 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding as of November 30, 2012, the proceeds of which were used to fund the purchase of two helicopters. These notes bear interest at variable rates and mature in December 2015. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Corporate Information
We are a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of SEACOR. After giving effect to the spin-off, we will be an independent, publicly traded company. Era Group Inc. was incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1999. Our principal executive office is located at 818 Town & Country Blvd., Suite 200, Houston, TX 77024, and our telephone number is (281) 606-4900. Our website address is www.eragroupinc.com. Information contained on, or connected to, our website or SEACOR’s website does not and will not constitute part of this Information Statement or the Registration Statement on Form 10 of which this Information Statement is a part.
Emerging Growth Company
We are an “Emerging Growth Company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), and are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “Emerging Growth Companies.” These include, but are not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and the requirement to obtain stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “Emerging Growth Company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “Emerging Growth Company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We do not intend to take advantage of such extended transition period, and as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates
on which adoption of such standards is required for public companies. Our election not to take advantage of the extended transition period is irrevocable.
We could remain an “Emerging Growth Company” for up to five years, or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.0 billion, (ii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which would occur if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three-year period.
SUMMARY OF THE SPIN-OFF
The following is a summary of the terms of the spin-off. See “The Spin-Off” for a more detailed description of the matters described below.
|
| |
Distributing company | SEACOR Holdings Inc. After the distribution, SEACOR will not own any shares of Era Group Inc. |
Distributed company | Era Group Inc. |
Primary purposes of the spin-off | The SEACOR board of directors believes that separating Era Group from SEACOR will (i) facilitate focused management of each of Era Group and SEACOR by reducing the competition for capital allocations, (ii) enhance Era Group’s ability to attract, retain, and properly incentivize key employees with Era Group equity-based compensation and (iii) allow SEACOR and Era Group to use equity that relates to the SEACOR businesses and Era Group’s business, respectively, to undertake desired acquisitions. |
Distribution ratio | Each share of SEACOR common stock outstanding as of January 24, 2013, the record date for the distribution, will entitle its holder to receive one share of Era Group common stock. We expect approximately 19.9 million shares of our common stock will be distributed in the spin-off based on the number of shares of SEACOR common stock we expect to be outstanding on the record date. |
Securities to be distributed | All of the shares of Era Group common stock owned by SEACOR, which will be 100% of our common stock, after giving effect to the Series B Exchange and the Recapitalization, in which (i) 500,000 shares of our outstanding Series B preferred stock were transferred to us by SEACOR in exchange for the benefits that SEACOR will receive by applying U.S. federal net operating losses generated by us against SEACOR group taxable income, and we repurchased for $50.0 million in cash the remaining 500,000 shares of Series B preferred stock outstanding and (ii) immediately prior to the spin-off, our then outstanding Class B common stock and Series A preferred stock will be exchanged for shares of our newly-issued common stock. The common stock that SEACOR receives in the Recapitalization, which will represent all of our outstanding capital stock at that time, will be the stock distributed by SEACOR in the spin-off. |
|
| |
Treatment of stock-based awards | In connection with the distribution, we currently expect that, subject to approval by the SEACOR board of directors, SEACOR’s equity-based compensation awards will generally be treated as follows: Treatment of SEACOR Restricted Stock Awards In connection with the spin-off, except with respect to SEACOR restricted stock awards granted to our CEO, Mr. Gustafson, and our CFO, Mr. Bradshaw, in December 2012, outstanding restricted stock awards of SEACOR common stock held by our employees and employees of SEACOR that were granted under SEACOR’s equity incentive plans will generally be treated the same as other shares of SEACOR’s common stock in the spin-off. Holders of these SEACOR restricted stock awards will be entitled to receive one fully vested share of our common stock for each SEACOR restricted stock award held by such employee. All other terms of these SEACOR restricted stock awards will remain the same, including continued vesting of SEACOR restricted stock awards pursuant to the vesting schedule of the current awards. In connection with the spin-off, due to the size of the grants and the proximity of the grants to the anticipated distribution date, SEACOR restricted stock awards granted to Messrs. Gustafson and Bradshaw in December 2012 will be converted into restricted stock awards for our common stock. All other terms of these awards, including vesting schedule, will remain the same. Treatment of SEACOR Stock Options In connection with the spin-off, outstanding stock options to purchase shares of SEACOR common stock granted to employees and directors of SEACOR under SEACOR’s equity incentive plans will be adjusted to reflect the difference in value prior to the spin-off of SEACOR’s common stock on the “regular way” market and “ex-dividend” market for such stock and to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options by changing the exercise price and number of shares of SEACOR common stock subject to the stock options. In addition, Era Group employees and directors of SEACOR that will join our board and resign from SEACOR’s board after the spin-off will have their outstanding stock options to purchase shares of SEACOR common stock converted into stock options to purchase shares of our common stock, based on an adjustment formula that is meant to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of SEACOR options held prior to the spin-off. For additional information, see “The Spin-Off—Treatment of SEACOR Stock Awards.” |
Record date | The record date for the distribution is 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on January 24, 2013. |
Distribution date | The distribution date is January 31, 2013. |
The spin-off | On the distribution date, SEACOR will release all of the shares of Era Group common stock to the distribution agent to distribute to SEACOR stockholders. The distribution of shares will be made in book-entry form. It is expected that it will take the distribution agent up to 10 days to electronically issue shares of Era Group common stock to you or your bank or brokerage firm on your behalf by way of direct registration in book-entry form. However, your ability to trade the shares of our common stock received in the distribution will not be affected during this time. You will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange your shares of SEACOR common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of Era Group common stock. |
Trading market and symbol | We have received approval to list our common stock on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “ERA.” We anticipate that, shortly prior to the record date for the distribution, trading of our common stock will begin on a “when-issued” basis and will continue up to and including the distribution date. See “The Spin-Off—Manner of Effecting the Spin-Off.” |
Indebtedness | On December 7, 2012, we completed an offering of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.750% Senior Notes. The net proceeds of the offering were used to repay $190.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility, which we entered into on December 22, 2011. In connection with the Senior Notes Offering, we permanently reduced the borrowing capacity under that facility from $350.0 million to $200.0 million. On December 20, 2012, we borrowed $50.0 million under the Revolving Credit Facility to fund the repurchase of 500,000 shares of Series B preferred stock in the Series B Exchange. Following the completion of the notes offering and the Series B Exchange, our total indebtedness was $283.2 million, including $200.0 million of notes, $50.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and $33.2 million of secured debt of one of our subsidiaries and we had the ability to borrow up to $52.7 million under our Revolving Credit Facility, after taking into account the financial ratios we are required to maintain under the facility. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Senior Notes.” |
|
| |
Dividend policy | Holders of shares of Era Group common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, or if, declared by Era Group’s board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. See “Dividend Policy.” |
Tax consequences to SEACOR stockholders | SEACOR stockholders are not expected to recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the distribution. See “The Spin-Off—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” for a more detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution. Each stockholder is urged to consult his, her or its tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences of the distribution to that stockholder, including any U.S., state, local or foreign income tax consequences of the distribution. |
Relationship with SEACOR after the spin-off | We will enter into the Distribution Agreement and other agreements with SEACOR related to the spin-off. These agreements will govern the relationship between us and SEACOR after the completion of the distribution. The Distribution Agreement, in particular, will set forth our agreement with SEACOR regarding the principal transactions necessary to separate us from SEACOR, as well as other agreements that govern certain aspects of our relationship with SEACOR after the completion of the spin-off. We will enter into an Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement with SEACOR pursuant to which SEACOR will continue to provide to us certain services on an interim basis following the distribution. Further, we will enter into the Tax Matters Agreement with SEACOR that will govern the respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of us and SEACOR after the spin-off with respect to taxes, tax attributes, the preparation and filing of tax returns, the control of tax audits and other tax proceedings and assistance and cooperation in respect of tax matters. We will also enter into the Employee Matters Agreement that will set forth our agreements with SEACOR concerning certain employee compensation and benefit matters and we have entered into the Series B Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement pursuant to which we consumated the Series B Exchange. We describe these arrangements in greater detail under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements between SEACOR and Era Group Relating to the Separation” and describe some of the risks of these arrangements under “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Spin-Off.” |
Certain restrictions | In general, under the Tax Matters Agreement we will enter into with SEACOR, we may not take any action that would jeopardize the favorable tax treatment of the distribution. In addition, except in certain specified transactions, we may not, during a two-year period following the distribution, sell or issue a substantial amount of, or redeem, our equity securities, sell or dispose of a substantial portion of our assets, liquidate or merge or consolidate with any other person unless we have obtained the approval of SEACOR or provided SEACOR with an IRS ruling or an unqualified opinion of tax counsel to the effect that such sale, issuance or redemption or other identified transaction will not affect the tax-free nature of the distribution. |
Transfer Agent | American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. |
Risk factors | You should carefully consider the matters discussed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this Information Statement. |
SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth our summary historical consolidated financial data for the periods indicated. We derived the summary historical consolidated financial data presented below as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Information Statement. We derived the summary historical consolidated financial data presented below as of September 30, 2012 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 from our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Information Statement.
Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. You should read the information set forth below in conjunction with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Information Statement.
The following tables also include unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data that gives effect to the distribution and the related transactions, based on certain assumptions and adjustments. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data” for a discussion of the assumptions and adjustments used in preparing the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data.
The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data presented below consists of unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet data as of September 30, 2012 that gives effect to the spin-off as if it had occurred on September 30, 2012, and unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations data for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011, in each case, that gives effect to the spin-off as if it had occurred on January 1, 2011. The following summary historical and unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Information Statement.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | | For the Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2012 Pro Forma | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2011 Pro Forma | | 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 |
| | (in thousands, except share data) |
Statement of Operations Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Revenues | | $ | 202,026 |
| | $ | 202,026 |
| | $ | 196,452 |
| | $ | 258,148 |
| | $ | 258,148 |
| | $ | 235,366 |
| | $ | 235,667 |
|
Costs and Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating | | 124,913 |
| | 124,913 |
| | 121,623 |
| | 162,707 |
| | 162,707 |
| | 147,233 |
| | 147,955 |
|
Administrative and general | | 27,639 |
| | 27,210 |
| | 20,090 |
| | 32,393 |
| | 31,893 |
| | 25,798 |
| | 21,396 |
|
Depreciation | | 31,031 |
| | 31,031 |
| | 33,402 |
| | 42,612 |
| | 42,612 |
| | 43,351 |
| | 37,358 |
|
| | 183,583 |
| | 183,154 |
| | 175,115 |
| | 237,712 |
| | 237,212 |
| | 216,382 |
| | 206,709 |
|
Gains on Asset Dispositions and Impairments, Net | | 3,455 |
| | 3,455 |
| | 13,260 |
| | 15,172 |
| | 15,172 |
| | 764 |
| | 316 |
|
Operating Income | | 21,898 |
| | 22,327 |
| | 34,597 |
| | 35,608 |
| | 36,108 |
| | 19,748 |
| | 29,274 |
|
Other Income (Expense): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income | | 765 |
| | 765 |
| | 376 |
| | 738 |
| | 738 |
| | 109 |
| | 52 |
|
Interest expense | | (13,475 | ) | | (6,891 | ) | | (847 | ) | | (17,251 | ) | | (1,376 | ) | | (94 | ) | | (13 | ) |
Interest expense on advances from SEACOR | | — |
| | — |
| | (18,924 | ) | | — |
| | (23,410 | ) | | (21,437 | ) | | (20,328 | ) |
SEACOR management fees | | — |
| | (1,500 | ) | | (7,476 | ) | | — |
| | (8,799 | ) | | (4,550 | ) | | (5,481 | ) |
Derivative gains (losses), net | | (492 | ) | | (492 | ) | | (1,308 | ) | | (1,326 | ) | | (1,326 | ) | | (118 | ) | | 266 |
|
Foreign currency gains (losses), net | | 633 |
| | 633 |
| | 596 |
| | 516 |
| | 516 |
| | (1,511 | ) | | 1,439 |
|
Other, net | | 30 |
| | 30 |
| | — |
| | 9 |
| | 9 |
| | 50 |
| | — |
|
| | (12,539 | ) | | (7,455 | ) | | (27,583 | ) | | (17,314 | ) | | (33,648 | ) | | (27,551 | ) | | (24,065 | ) |
Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Expense (Benefit) and Equity in Earnings (Losses) of 50% or Less Owned Companies | | 9,359 |
| | 14,872 |
| | 7,014 |
| | 18,294 |
| | 2,460 |
| | (7,803 | ) | | 5,209 |
|
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | | 3,229 |
| | 5,212 |
| | 2,666 |
| | 5,590 |
| | 434 |
| | (4,301 | ) | | 2,883 |
|
Income (Loss) Before Equity in Earnings (Losses) of 50% or Less Owned Companies | | 6,130 |
| | 9,660 |
| | 4,348 |
| | 12,704 |
| | 2,026 |
| | (3,502 | ) | | 2,326 |
|
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of 50% or Less Owned Companies, Net of Tax | | (5,444 | ) | | (5,444 | ) | | 1,061 |
| | 82 |
| | 82 |
| | (137 | ) | | (487 | ) |
Net Income (Loss) | | 686 |
| | 4,216 |
| | 5,409 |
| | 12,786 |
| | 2,108 |
| | (3,639 | ) | | 1,839 |
|
Accretion of redemption value on Series A Preferred Stock | | — |
| | 6,334 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 210 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Net Income (Loss) attributable to Common Shares | | $ | 686 |
| | $ | (2,118 | ) | | $ | 5,409 |
| | $ | 12,786 |
| | $ | 1,898 |
| | $ | (3,639 | ) | | $ | 1,839 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share | | $ | 0.03 |
| | $ | (0.09 | ) | | $ | 0.99 |
| | $ | 0.64 |
| | $ | 0.18 |
| | $ | (3,639.00 | ) | | $ | 1,839.00 |
|
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding | | 19,887,933 |
| | 24,500,000 |
| | 5,475,136 |
| | 19,887,933 |
| | 10,270,444 |
| | 1,000 |
| | 1,000 |
|
Other Financial Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EBITDA (1) | | $ | 47,656 |
| | $ | 46,585 |
| | $ | 60,872 |
| | $ | 77,501 |
| | $ | 69,202 |
| | $ | 56,833 |
| | $ | 62,369 |
|
Adjusted EBITDAR(1) | | $ | 60,179 |
| | $ | 60,608 |
| | $ | 71,797 |
| | $ | 86,007 |
| | $ | 86,507 |
| | $ | 66,021 |
| | $ | 73,000 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of September 30, | | As of December 31, |
| | 2012 Pro Forma | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2010 |
| | (in thousands) |
Balance Sheet Data: | | | | | | | | |
Current Assets: | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 10,854 |
| | $ | 9,232 |
| | $ | 79,122 |
| | $ | 3,698 |
|
Receivables | | 62,244 |
| | 62,244 |
| | 50,084 |
| | 41,157 |
|
Inventories | | 26,590 |
| | 26,590 |
| | 24,504 |
| | 23,153 |
|
Prepaid expenses | | 1,443 |
| | 1,443 |
| | 1,776 |
| | 2,077 |
|
Deferred income taxes | | 1,979 |
| | 51,979 |
| | 2,293 |
| | 1,672 |
|
Total current assets | | 103,110 |
| | 151,488 |
| | 157,779 |
| | 71,757 |
|
Property and Equipment, Net | | 777,706 |
| | 777,706 |
| | 709,451 |
| | 612,078 |
|
Investments, at Equity, and Advances to 50% or Less Owned Companies | | 35,755 |
| | 35,755 |
| | 50,263 |
| | 27,912 |
|
Goodwill | | 352 |
| | 352 |
| | 352 |
| | 352 |
|
Other Assets | | 20,480 |
| | 15,480 |
| | 15,379 |
| | 6,925 |
|
| | $ | 937,403 |
| | $ | 980,781 |
| | $ | 933,224 |
| | $ | 719,024 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities | | $ | 37,587 |
| | $ | 37,587 |
| | $ | 78,252 |
| | $ | 29,172 |
|
Long-Term Debt | | 277,630 |
| | 221,008 |
| | 285,098 |
| | 35,885 |
|
Advances from SEACOR | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 355,952 |
|
Deferred Income Taxes | | 198,068 |
| | 198,068 |
| | 146,177 |
| | 127,799 |
|
Deferred Gains and Other Liabilities | | 8,226 |
| | 8,226 |
| | 8,340 |
| | 6,623 |
|
Series A Preferred Stock | | — |
| | 142,097 |
| | 140,210 |
| | — |
|
Series B Preferred Stock | | — |
| | 100,000 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Equity: | |
|
| | | | | | |
Stockholder equity attributable to Era Group Inc. stockholders | | 415,645 |
| | 273,548 |
| | 275,147 |
| | 163,593 |
|
Non-controlling interest | | 247 |
| | 247 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Total equity | | 415,892 |
| | 273,795 |
| | 275,147 |
| | 163,593 |
|
| | $ | 937,403 |
| | $ | 980,781 |
| | $ | 933,224 |
| | $ | 719,024 |
|
_______________________
| |
(1) | Our management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR to assess the performance and operating results of our business. EBITDA is defined as Earnings before Interest (includes interest income, interest expense and interest expense on advances from SEACOR), Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. Adjusted EBITDAR is defined as EBITDA further adjusted for Lease Expense (included as components of operating expense and general and administrative), SEACOR Management Fees and certain other items that occur during the reported period. We include EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR in this Information Statement to provide investors with a supplemental measure of our operating performance. Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDAR is a recognized term under generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”). Accordingly, neither should be used as an indicator of, or an alternative to, net income as a measure of operating performance. In addition, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR are not intended to be measures of free cash flow available for management’s discretionary use, as they do not consider certain cash requirements, such as debt service requirements. Because the definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR (or similar measures) may vary among companies and industries, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. |
Management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR as performance metrics for internal monitoring and planning purposes, including the presentation of our annual operating budget and quarterly operating reviews, and to facilitate analysis of investment decisions. In addition, the Adjusted EBITDAR performance metric allows us to evaluate profitability and make performance trend comparisons between us and our competitors. Further, we believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. For example, these measures:
•do not reflect our historical cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
•do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
•do not reflect the significant interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt;
•do not reflect our income tax expenses or the cash requirements to pay our taxes; and
| |
• | although depreciation and amortization charges are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and the foregoing metrics do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements. |
The following table provides a reconciliation of Net Income (Loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR for the historical periods presented: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | | For the Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2012 Pro Forma | |
2012 | |
2011 | | 2011 Pro Forma | |
2011 | |
2010 | |
2009 |
| | (in thousands) |
Net Income (Loss) | | $ | 686 |
| | $ | 4,216 |
| | $ | 5,409 |
| | $ | 12,786 |
| | $ | 2,108 |
| | $ | (3,639 | ) | | $ | 1,839 |
|
Depreciation | | 31,031 |
| | 31,031 |
| | 33,402 |
| | 42,612 |
| | 42,612 |
| | 43,351 |
| | 37,358 |
|
Interest Income | | (765 | ) | | (765 | ) | | (376 | ) | | (738 | ) | | (738 | ) | | (109 | ) | | (52 | ) |
Interest Expense | | 13,475 |
| | 6,891 |
| | 847 |
| | 17,251 |
| | 1,376 |
| | 94 |
| | 13 |
|
Interest Expense on Advances from SEACOR | | — |
| | — |
| | 18,924 |
| | — |
| | 23,410 |
| | 21,437 |
| | 20,328 |
|
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | | 3,229 |
| | 5,212 |
| | 2,666 |
| | 5,590 |
| | 434 |
| | (4,301 | ) | | 2,883 |
|
EBITDA | | 47,656 |
| | 46,585 |
| | 60,872 |
| | 77,501 |
| | 69,202 |
| | 56,833 |
| | 62,369 |
|
Rent Expense | | 2,927 |
| | 2,927 |
| | 3,181 |
| | 4,335 |
| | 4,335 |
| | 4,259 |
| | 5,150 |
|
SEACOR Management Fees | | — |
| | 1,500 |
| | 7,476 |
| | — |
| | 8,799 |
| | 4,550 |
| | 5,481 |
|
Special Items(a) | | 9,596 |
| | 9,596 |
| | 268 |
| | 4,171 |
| | 4,171 |
| | 379 |
| | — |
|
Adjusted EBITDAR | | $ | 60,179 |
| | $ | 60,608 |
| | $ | 71,797 |
| | $ | 86,007 |
| | $ | 86,507 |
| | $ | 66,021 |
| | $ | 73,000 |
|
_______________________
(a)Special items include the following:
| |
• | Severance expense of $4.2 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $0.7 million and $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, due to prior changes in executive management; |
| |
• | Expenses incurred in connection with our abandoned initial public offering of $3.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012; and |
| |
• | An impairment charge of $5.9 million, net of tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, on our investment in Aeróleo that was recorded in March 2012. |
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information included in this Information Statement, in evaluating the Company and our common stock. If any of the risks described below actually occurs, our business, financial results, financial condition and stock price could be materially adversely affected.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
Demand for many of our services is impacted by the level of activity in the offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production industry.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and in the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 63% and 55%, respectively, of our operating revenues were generated by the provision of helicopter services, including search and rescue services, to companies primarily engaged in offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production activities, in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. Demand for our services and our results of operations are significantly impacted by levels of activity in those regions. These levels of activity have historically been volatile. This volatility is likely to continue in future periods. The level of offshore oil and natural gas exploration, development and production activity is not only likely to be volatile, but it is also subject to factors beyond our control, including:
| |
• | general economic conditions; |
| |
• | prevailing oil and natural gas prices and expectations about future prices and price volatility; |
| |
• | assessments of offshore drilling prospects compared with land-based opportunities; |
| |
• | the cost of exploring for, producing and delivering oil and natural gas offshore; |
| |
• | worldwide demand for energy, petroleum products and chemical products; |
| |
• | availability and rate of discovery of new oil and natural gas reserves in offshore areas; |
| |
• | federal, state, local and international political conditions, and policies including cabotage, local content, exploration and development of oil and gas reserves; |
| |
• | technological advancements affecting exploration, development, energy production and consumption; |
| |
• | environmental regulation; |
| |
• | regulation of drilling activities and the availability of drilling permits and concessions; and |
| |
• | the ability of oil and natural gas companies to generate or otherwise obtain funds for offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production. |
We are in a cyclical business.
Our industry has historically been cyclical and is affected by the volatility of oil and gas price levels, fluctuations in government programs and spending and general economic conditions. Changes in commodity prices can have a significant effect on demand for our services, and periods of low activity intensify price competition in the industry and often result in our helicopters being idle for long periods of time. A prolonged significant downturn in oil and natural gas prices, or increased regulation containing onerous compliance requirements, are likely to cause a substantial decline in expenditures for exploration, development and production activity, which would result in a decline in demand and lower rates for our services. Similarly, the government agencies with which we do business could face budget cuts or limit spending, which would also result in a decline in demand and lower rates for our services. These changes could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are highly dependent upon the level of activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, which are mature exploration and production regions.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011, our operating revenues derived from helicopter services provided to clients primarily involved in oil and gas activities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, represented approximately 55% and 8%, respectively, and 46% and 9%, respectively, of our total operating revenues. The U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska are mature exploration and production regions that have undergone substantial seismic survey and exploration activity for many years. Because a large number of oil and gas properties in these regions have already been drilled, additional prospects of sufficient size and quality could be more difficult to identify. We believe that the production from these mature oil and gas properties is declining and that the future production may decline to the point that such properties are no longer economically viable to operate, in which case, our services with respect to such properties will no longer be needed. Oil and gas companies may not identify sufficient additional drilling sites to replace those that become depleted. If activity in oil and gas exploration, development and production in either the U.S. Gulf of Mexico or Alaska materially declines, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We cannot predict the levels of activity in these areas.
The helicopter industry is subject to intense competition.
The helicopter industry is highly competitive. In the U.S., we face competition for business in the oil and gas industry from three major operators, Bristow Group Inc. (“Bristow”), PHI, Inc. and Rotorcraft Leasing Company LLC. We also face potential competition from customers that establish their own flight departments and smaller operators that can, with access to capital, expand their fleets and operate more sophisticated and costly equipment. In providing air medical transport services, we face competition from Air Methods Corporation and PHI, Inc. and many other operators. In our international markets, we face competition from local operators in countries where foreign regulations may require that contracts be awarded to local companies owned by nationals. We also face competition from operators that may have better recognized reputations in some of those markets. In addition, we compete with other providers of medical air transport, search and rescue, firefighting and flightseeing services, as well as leasing companies in various markets.
Chartering of helicopters usually involves an aggressive bidding process or intense negotiations. To qualify for work in most instances, an operator must have an acceptable safety record, demonstrated reliability, and the requisite equipment for the job, as well as sufficient resources to provide coverage when primary equipment comes out of service for maintenance. Companies that can satisfy these criteria and meet these needs are invited to bid for work. Customers typically make their final choice based on the best price available for the helicopter that is needed in the time frame that is mandated by their need. If we were unable to satisfy the criteria to participate in bids, we would be unable to compete effectively and our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
Following the separation, we no longer expect to receive funds from SEACOR, which could adversely affect our ability to maintain our fleet and compete effectively in our markets.
Prior to our entry into our Revolving Credit Facility on December 22, 2011, we participated in a cash management program whereby certain of our operating and capital expenditures, including funds for our investments in new helicopters, were funded through advances from SEACOR. We do not expect to receive additional advances from SEACOR and will depend on cash generated from our own operations or from equity or debt offerings (such as our recent issuance of $200.0 million of Senior Notes) and our Revolving Credit Facility, to fund our investments in our fleet, purchase new helicopters, fund our operations or joint ventures and make acquisitions or investments. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash from operations or obtain adequate financing on commercially reasonable terms, on a timely basis or at all, our ability to invest in our business or fund our business strategy may be limited and may materially and adversely affect our ability to compete effectively in our markets.
In order to grow our business, we may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available to us.
Our business is capital intensive, and to the extent we do not generate sufficient cash from operations, we will need to raise additional funds through public or private debt or equity financings to execute our growth strategy. Adequate sources of capital funding may not be available when needed, or may not be available on favorable terms. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity or certain types of convertible debt securities, dilution to the holdings of our existing stockholders may result. If we raise additional debt financing, we will incur additional interest expense and the terms of such debt may be at less favorable rates than existing debt and could require the pledge of assets as security or subject us to financial and/or operating covenants that affect our ability to conduct our business. Any capital raising activities would be subject to the restrictions in the Tax Matters Agreement. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions–Agreements between SEACOR and Era Group Relating to the Separation—Tax Matters Agreement” and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.” If funding is insufficient at any time in the future, or we are unable to conduct capital raising activities as a result of restrictions in the Tax Matters Agreement, we may be unable to acquire additional helicopters, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Difficult economic and financial conditions could have a material adverse effect on us.
The financial results of our business are both directly and indirectly dependent upon economic conditions throughout the world, which in turn can be impacted by conditions in the global financial markets. These factors are outside our control and changes in circumstances are difficult to predict. Uncertainty about global economic conditions may lead businesses to postpone spending in response to tighter credit and reductions in income or asset values, which may lead many lenders and institutional investors to reduce, and in some cases, cease to provide funding to borrowers. Weak economic activity may lead government customers to cut back on services. Factors such as interest rates, availability of credit, inflation rates, economic uncertainty, changes in laws (including laws relating to taxation), trade barriers, commodity prices, currency exchange rates and controls, and national and international political circumstances (including wars, terrorist acts or security operations) could have a material adverse effect on our business and investments, which could reduce our revenues, profitability and value of our assets. These factors (including the failure of lenders participating in our new Revolving Credit Facility to fulfill their commitments and obligations) may also adversely affect our liquidity and our financial condition, and the business, liquidity and financial condition of our customers. Adverse liquidity conditions for our customers could negatively impact their capital investment activity. In addition, periods of poor economic conditions could increase our ongoing exposure to credit risks on our accounts receivable balances. We have procedures that are designed to monitor and limit exposure to credit risk on our receivables; however, there can be no assurance that such procedures will effectively limit our credit risk and avoid losses. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
For example, a slowdown in economic activity could reduce worldwide demand for energy and result in an extended period of lower oil and natural gas prices. Demand for our services depends on oil and natural gas industry activity and expenditure levels that are directly affected by trends in oil and natural gas prices. A reduction in oil and natural gas prices could depress the activity levels of oil and gas companies, which in turn would reduce demand for our services. Perceptions of longer-term lower oil and natural gas prices by oil and gas companies can similarly further reduce or defer major expenditures given the long-term nature of many large-scale development projects. Lower levels of activity can result in a corresponding decline in the demand for our services, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenue and profitability. Unstable economic conditions or turmoil in financial markets may also increase the volatility of our stock price.
Failure to maintain an acceptable safety record may have an adverse impact on our ability to obtain and retain customers.
Our customers consider safety and reliability a primary concern in selecting a helicopter service provider. We must maintain a record of safety and reliability that is acceptable to, and in certain instances is contractually required by, our customers. In an effort to maintain an appropriate standard, we incur considerable costs to maintain the quality of (i) our safety program, (ii) our training programs and (iii) our fleet of helicopters. For example, we have implemented a safety program that includes, among many other features, (i) transition and recurrent training using flight training devices, (ii) an FAA approved flight operational quality assurance program and (iii) health and usage monitoring systems, otherwise known as HUMS, which automatically monitor and report on vibrations and other anomalies on key components of certain helicopters in our fleet. We cannot assure you that our safety program or our other efforts will provide an adequate level of safety or an acceptable safety record. If we are unable to maintain an acceptable safety record, we may not be able to retain existing customers or attract new customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on relatively few customers, some of which are our affiliates, for a significant share of our revenues, the loss of any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We derive a significant portion of our revenues from a limited number of oil and gas exploration, development and production companies and government agencies. Specifically, services provided to Anadarko, U.S. government agencies, primarily BSEE, a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and Aeróleo accounted for 12%, 8% and 11% of our revenues, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2011. The portion of our revenues attributable to any single customer may change over time, depending on the level of activity by any such customer, our ability to meet the customer’s needs and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, most of our contracts with our oil and gas customers can be canceled on relatively short notice and do not commit our customers to acquire specific amounts of services. The loss of business from any of our significant customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.
Further, to the extent any of our customers experience an extended period of operating difficulty, our revenues and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Aeróleo, which in addition to being a significant customer is a joint venture of ours in which we hold a 50% economic interest and a 20% voting interest, has recently experienced operating difficulties. In July 2011, Aeróleo received notice that it was successful in its bid to place four AW139 helicopters on a five year contract with Petroelo Brasileiro S.A. (“Petrobras Brazil”), one of Aeróleo's customers. In turn, Aeróleo entered into contract-leases with us for four AW139 helicopters for a term of one year with four annual renewal options, and the helicopters were mobilized to Brazil. In August 2011, Petrobras Brazil cancelled the award for Aeróleo's AW139 helicopters in response to an accident Petrobras Brazil experienced with an AW139 helicopter on contract with it from one of our competitors. As a result, our four AW139 helicopters under contract-lease to Aeróleo were idle from August 2011 until late November 2012, at which time Aeróleo executed contracts with Petrobras Brazil and it began to utilize the helicopters. Due to resulting liquidity issues experienced by Aeróleo, as of September 30, 2012, we had deferred recognition of $7.7 million of revenues from Aeróleo and, together with our partner, also contributed $9.2 million of additional debt capital to Aeróleo to enable it to continue operating. Although we believe Aeróleo's operating difficulties will be resolved as a result of the execution of the contracts with Petrobras Brazil, if we needed to contribute additional capital to Aeróleo it could affect our liquidity and to the extent we do not or are unable to make such capital contributions, our results of operations could be affected. Further, to the extent we do not collect receivables owed to us from Aeróleo or earn less revenues from the relationship than anticipated, our results of operations and liquidity could be materially adversely affected.
Our customers include U.S. government agencies that are dependent on budget appropriations, which may fluctuate and, as a result, limit their ability to use our services.
U.S. government agencies, primarily BSEE, are among our key customers and accounted for 8% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011. Government agencies receive funding through budget appropriations, which are determined through the political process, and as a result, funding for the agencies with which we do business may fluctuate. Recently, there has been increased Congressional scrutiny of discretionary program spending by the U.S. government in light of concerns over the size of the national debt. In August 2011, Congress reached an agreement to raise the U.S. debt ceiling in order to avoid financial default of the U.S. government. This agreement requires the elimination of more than $2 trillion in federal spending over the next decade. Although the details of these spending cuts remain unclear, lawmakers have discussed the need to cut or impose caps on discretionary spending in coming years, which could mean budget cuts to federal agencies to which we provide services. If any of these agencies, particularly BSEE, experience reductions in their budgets or if they change their spending priorities, their ability or willingness to spend on helicopter operations may decline, and
they may substantially reduce or cease using our services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Consolidation of our customer base could adversely affect demand for our services and reduce our revenues.
Many of our customers are major integrated oil and gas companies or independent oil and gas exploration, development and production companies. In recent years, these companies have undergone substantial consolidation, and additional consolidation is possible. Consolidation results in fewer companies to charter or contract for our services, and in the event one of our customers combines with a company that is using the services of one of our competitors, the combined company could decide to use the services of that competitor or another provider. Further, merger activity among both major and independent oil and natural gas companies affects exploration, development and production activity as the consolidated companies often put projects on hold while integrating operations. Consolidation may also result in an exploration and development budget for a combined company that is lower than the total budget of both companies before consolidation. Reductions in budgets could adversely affect demand for our services and our results of operations.
The implementation by our customers of cost-saving measures could reduce the demand for our services.
Oil and gas companies are continually seeking to implement measures aimed at cost savings. These measures can include efforts to improve efficiencies and reduce costs by reducing headcount or finding less expensive means for moving personnel offshore. Reducing headcount, changing rotations for personnel working offshore, therefore requiring fewer trips to and from installations, or using marine transport, are some, but not all of the possible initiatives that could result in reduced demand for our helicopter transport services. In addition, customers could establish their own helicopter operations or devise other transportation alternatives. The continued implementation of these kinds of measures could reduce the demand for helicopter services provided by independent operators like us, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Operational risks including, but not limited to, equipment failure and negligence could adversely impact our results of operations and in some instances, expose us to liability. These risks may not be covered by our insurance or our insurance may be inadequate to protect us from the liabilities that could arise.
The operation of helicopters is subject to various risks, including catastrophic disasters, crashes, adverse weather conditions, mechanical failures and collisions, which may result in loss of life, personal injury and/or damage to property and equipment. Our helicopters have been involved in accidents in the past, some of which included loss of life, personal injury and property damage. The occurrence of any such incident could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Certain models of helicopters that we operate have also experienced accidents while operated by third parties. We, or third parties operating our helicopters, may experience accidents in the future. These risks could endanger the safety of both our own and our customers’ personnel, equipment, cargo and other property, as well as the environment. If any of these events were to occur with equipment that we operate or contract-lease to third parties, we could experience loss of revenues, termination of charter contracts, higher insurance rates, and damage to our reputation and customer relationships. In addition, to the extent an accident occurs with a helicopter we operate, we could be held liable for resulting damages. If other operators experience accidents with helicopter models that we also operate or contract-lease, obligating us to take such helicopters out of service until the cause of the accident is rectified, we would lose revenues and might lose customers. In addition, safety issues experienced by a particular model of helicopter could result in customers refusing to use a particular helicopter model or a regulatory body grounding that particular helicopter model. The value of the helicopter model might also be permanently reduced in the market if the model were to be considered less desirable for future service.
For instance, there have been three recent accidents involving the Eurocopter EC225 helicopter that have resulted in complete losses of the helicopters. One of the helicopters was under contract-lease from us to one of our customers, while the other two were owned and operated by parties unrelated to us. In response to these accidents, major global operators have indefinitely suspended EC225 operations. We are still earning a majority of the revenues associated with our EC225 helicopters; however, we are not collecting hourly revenues, since the helicopters are not flying. To the extent the EC225 helicopter operations remain suspended for a prolonged period of time, our results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our Brazilian joint venture, Aeróleo, also experienced operating difficulties due to an incident with an AW139 operated by a competitor. In July 2011, Aeróleo received notice that it was successful in its bid to place four AW139 helicopters on contract with Petrobras Brazil and in turn entered into contract-leases with us for the helicopters and mobilized them to Brazil. In August 2011, Petrobras Brazil cancelled the award and, as a result, these four AW139 helicopters under contract-lease to Aeróleo were idle from August 2011 until late November 2012. Due to resulting liquidity issues experienced by Aeróleo, as of September 30, 2012, we had deferred the recognition of $7.7 million of revenues owed to us by Aeróleo and, together with our partner, contributed $9.2 million of shareholder debt to Aeróleo to enable it to continue operations. In November 2012, in response to an emergency tender issued by Petrobras Brazil as a result of the above noted suspension of use of EC225 helicopters, Aeróleo executed contracts with Petrobras Brazil and it began utilizing these four AW139 helicopters. Aeroleo contract-leases three EC225 helicopters from us which are in turn on contract with Petrobras Brazil. Although Petrobras Brazil continues to satisfy its obligation to Aeróleo under these EC225 contracts, it requires additional helicopters to support their operations while the EC225 helicopters are not operating. We expect that Aeróleo's operating difficulties will be resolved as a result of the execution of these contracts with Petrobras Brazil, although no assurance can be given that these difficulties
will be resolved. See “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Operating Results—Offshore Oil and Gas Support.”
We carry insurance, including hull and liability, liability and war risk, general liability, workers’ compensation, and other insurance customary in the industry in which we operate. Our insurance coverage is subject to deductibles and maximum coverage amounts. Our insurance policies are also subject to compliance with certain conditions, the failure of which could lead to a denial of coverage as to a particular claim or the voiding of a particular insurance policy. The amount of insurance coverage we are able to maintain may be inadequate to cover all potential liabilities or the total amount of insured claims and liabilities. We cannot assure you that our existing insurance coverage can be renewed at commercially reasonable rates nor is it possible to obtain insurance to protect against all of our operations risks and liabilities. Any material liability not covered by insurance or for which third-party indemnification is not available, would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and/or cash flows.
Weather and seasonality can impact our results of operations.
A significant portion of our revenues is dependent on actual flight hours. Prolonged periods of adverse weather and storms can adversely impact our operations and flight hours. The fall and winter months generally have more days of adverse weather conditions than the other months of the year, with poor visibility, high winds, and heavy precipitation in some areas. While some of our helicopters are equipped to fly at night, we generally do not do so. Operations servicing offshore oil and gas transport of passengers, and also other non-emergency operations, are generally conducted during daylight hours. During winter months there are fewer daylight hours, particularly in Alaska. Flight hours, and therefore revenues, tend to decline in the winter. In addition, oil and gas exploration activity in Alaska decreases during the winter months due to the harsh weather conditions. Our operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico may also be adversely affected by weather. Tropical storm season runs from June through November. Tropical storms and hurricanes limit our ability to operate our helicopters in the proximity of a storm, reduce oil and gas exploration, development and production activity, add expenses to secure equipment and facilities and require us to move assets out of the path of a storm. Despite our efforts to plan for storms and secure our equipment, we may suffer damage to our helicopters or our facilities, thereby reducing our ability to provide our services. In addition, these factors also result in seasonal impacts on our business and results of operations.
Our operations depend on facilities we use throughout the world. These facilities are subject to physical and other risks that could disrupt production.
Our facilities could be damaged or our operations could be disrupted by a natural disaster, labor strike, war, political unrest, terrorist activity or a pandemic. We operate numerous bases in and along the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and we are particularly exposed to risk of loss or damage from hurricanes in that region. In addition, our operations in Alaska (including our fixed based operation (“FBO”) business at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport) are at risk from earthquake activity. In particular, we have fuel tanks at our FBO facility with approximately 200,000 gallons of fuel storage capacity, all of which could be substantially damaged or compromised due to an earthquake. Although we have obtained property damage insurance, a major catastrophe such as a hurricane, earthquake or other natural disaster at any of our sites, or significant labor strikes, work stoppages, political unrest, war or terrorist activities in any of the areas where we conduct operations, could result in a prolonged interruption or stoppage of our business or material sub-parts of it. Any disruption resulting from these events could cause the loss of sales and customers. Our insurance may not adequately compensate us for any of these events.
A shortfall in availability of raw materials, components, parts and subsystems required for the repair and maintenance of our helicopters could adversely affect us, as would cost increases imposed by suppliers if they cannot be passed on to customers or if our equipment has been committed to contracts without coverage for escalating expenses.
In connection with the required routine repairs and maintenance that we perform or are performed by others on our helicopters, we rely on seven key vendors (Agusta Aerospace Corporation, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, American Eurocopter Corp., Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Pratt and Whitney Canada, Turbomeca USA, Inc. and Honeywell International), for the supply and overhaul of components on our helicopters. Consolidations involving suppliers could further reduce the number of alternative suppliers for us and increase the cost of components. Those vendors have historically been the manufacturers of these components and parts, and their factories tend to work at or near full capacity supporting the helicopter production lines for new equipment. This leaves little capacity for the production of parts requirements for maintenance of our helicopters. The tight production schedules, as well as new regulatory requirements, the availability of raw materials or commodities, or the need to upgrade parts or product recalls can add to backlogs, resulting in key parts being in limited supply or available on an allocation basis. To the extent that these suppliers also supply parts for helicopters used by the U.S. military, parts delivery for our helicopters may be delayed during periods in which there are high levels of military operations. Any shortages could have an adverse impact on our ability to repair and maintain our helicopters. Our inability to perform timely repair and maintenance could result in our helicopters being underutilized and cause us to lose opportunities with existing or potential customers, each of which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. Furthermore, our operations in remote locations, where delivery of these components and parts could take a significant period of time, may also impact our ability to repair and maintain our helicopters. Although every effort is made to mitigate such impact, this may pose a risk to our results of operations. In addition, supplier cost increases for critical helicopter components and parts can also adversely impact our results of operations. Cost increases are passed on to our customers through rate increases where possible, including as a component of contract escalation charges. However, as certain of our contracts are long-term in nature and may not have escalation or escalation may be tied to an index, which may not increase as rapidly
as the cost of parts, we may see our margins erode. In addition, as many of our helicopters are manufactured by two European based companies, the cost of spare parts could be impacted by changes in currency exchange rates.
Our dependence on a small number of helicopter manufacturers poses a significant risk to our business and prospects, including our ability to execute our growth strategy.
Although our fleet includes equipment from all four of the major helicopter manufacturers, our current fleet expansion and replacement needs rely on contracts with two manufacturers. If any of the manufacturers with whom we contract face production delays due to, for example, natural disasters, labor strikes or unavailability of skilled labor, we may experience a significant delay in the delivery of previously ordered helicopters. During these periods, we may not be able to obtain additional helicopters with acceptable pricing, delivery dates or other terms. Delivery delays or our inability to obtain acceptable helicopters would adversely affect our revenues and profitability and could jeopardize our ability to meet the demands of our customers and execute our growth strategy. In addition, lack of availability of new helicopters resulting from a backlog in orders could result in an increase in prices for certain types of used helicopters. Furthermore, regulatory authorities may require us to temporarily or permanently remove certain helicopter models from service following certain incidents or accidents.
Our future growth may be impacted by our ability to expand into markets outside of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska.
Our future growth will depend on our ability to expand into markets outside of the U.S. Expansion of our business depends on our ability to operate in these other regions.
Expansion of our business outside of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska may be adversely affected by:
| |
• | local regulations restricting foreign ownership of helicopter operators; |
| |
• | requirements to award contracts to local operators; and |
| |
• | the number and location of new drilling concessions granted by foreign governments. |
We cannot predict the restrictions or requirements that may be imposed in the countries in which we operate or wish to operate. If we are unable to continue to operate or obtain and retain contracts in markets outside of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, our future business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected, and our operations outside of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska may not grow.
Our operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico were adversely impacted by the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig incident and resulting oil spill, and may be adversely impacted by proposed legislation and resulting litigation in response to that incident.
We are highly dependent on offshore oil and gas activities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. On April 22, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon, a semi-submersible deepwater drilling rig operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, sank after an apparent blowout and fire resulting in a significant flow of hydrocarbons from the BP Macondo well. As a result, from May 2010 to October 2010, the U.S. Department of Interior imposed a moratorium on offshore drilling operations. Drilling resumed in November 2010 but activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico did not reach pre-blowout levels until September 2011. As a result of the blowout at the BP Macondo well and subsequent moratorium on drilling activities, our operating results were adversely affected in the fourth quarter of 2010 and the first half of 2011. In addition, as a result of the blowout, the U.S. Department of Interior issued new rules designed to improve drilling and workplace safety in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and various congressional committees began pursuing legislation to regulate drilling activities and increase liability. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, BSEE and Office of National Resources Revenue are expected to continue to issue new safety and environmental guidelines or regulations for drilling in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and other regulatory agencies could potentially issue new safety and environmental guidelines or regulations in other geographic regions, and may take other steps that could increase the costs of exploration and production, reduce the area of operations and result in permitting delays. We are monitoring legislation and regulatory developments; however, it is difficult to predict the ultimate impact of any new guidelines, regulations or legislation. A prolonged suspension of drilling activity or permitting delays in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and new regulations and increased liability for companies operating in this sector, whether or not caused by a new incident in the region, could result in reduced demand for our services, and reduced cash flows and profitability.
In addition, our operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, along with those of certain of our customers, may be adversely impacted by, among other factors:
| |
• | the suspension, stoppage or termination by customers of existing contracts and the demand by customers for new or renewed contracts in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and other affected regions; |
| |
• | unplanned customer suspensions, cancellations, rate reductions, non-renewals of commitments to charter aviation equipment or failures to finalize commitments to charter aviation equipment; |
| |
• | the cost or availability of relevant insurance coverage; and |
| |
• | adverse weather conditions and natural disasters including, but not limited to, hurricanes and tropical storms. |
Any one or a combination of these factors could reduce revenues, increase operating costs and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Significant increases in fuel costs can have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Fuel is essential to the operation of our helicopters and to our ability to carry out our transport services and is a key component of our operating expenses. High fuel costs can increase the cost of operating our helicopters. Any increased fuel costs may negatively impact our net sales, margins, operating expenses and results of operations. Although we have been able to pass along a significant portion of increased fuel costs to our customers in the past, we cannot assure you that we can do so again if another prolonged period of high fuel costs occurs. To the extent there is a significant increase in fuel costs that we are unable to pass on to our customers, it may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our contracts generally can be terminated or downsized by our customers without penalty.
Many of our operating contracts and charter arrangements in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska contain provisions permitting early termination by the customer for any reason, generally without penalty, and with limited notice requirements. In addition, many of our contracts permit our customers to decrease the number of helicopters under contract with a corresponding decrease in the fixed monthly payments without penalty. As a result, you should not place undue reliance on our customer contracts or the terms of those contracts. The termination of contracts by our significant customers or the decrease in their usage of our helicopter services could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to obtain work on acceptable terms covering some of our new helicopters, and some of our new helicopters may replace existing helicopters already under contract, which could adversely affect the utilization of our existing fleet.
As of September 30, 2012, we had placed orders for 12 new helicopters. Two of these helicopters are scheduled to be delivered in 2012, two in 2014 and three in 2015. Delivery dates for the remaining five helicopters have yet to be determined. Many of our new helicopters may not be covered by customer contracts when they are placed into service, and we cannot assure you as to when we will be able to utilize these new helicopters or on what terms. To the extent our helicopters are covered by a customer contract, many of these contracts are short-term, requiring us to seek renewals frequently. We also expect that some of our customers may request new helicopters in lieu of our existing helicopters, which could adversely affect the utilization of our existing fleet.
Adverse results of legal proceedings could have a material adverse effect on us.
We are subject to, and may in the future be subject to, a variety of legal proceedings and claims that arise out of the ordinary conduct of our business. Results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty. Irrespective of their merits, legal proceedings may be both lengthy and disruptive to our operations and may cause significant expenditure and diversion of management attention. We may be faced with significant monetary damages or injunctive relief against us that could have a material adverse effect on a portion of our business operations or a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We may undertake one or more significant corporate transactions that may not achieve their intended results, may adversely affect our financial condition and our results of operations or result in unforeseeable risks to our business.
We continuously evaluate the acquisition of operating businesses and assets and may in the future undertake one or more significant transactions. Any such transaction could be material to our business and could take any number of forms, including mergers, joint ventures and the purchase of equity interests. The consideration for such transactions may include, among other things, cash, common stock or equity interests in us or our subsidiaries, or a contribution of equipment to obtain equity interests, and in conjunction with a transaction we might incur additional indebtedness. We also routinely evaluate the benefits of disposing of certain of our assets. Such dispositions could take the form of asset sales, mergers or sales of equity interests.
These transactions may present significant risks such as insufficient revenues to offset liabilities assumed, potential loss of significant revenues and income streams, increased or unexpected expenses, inadequate return of capital, regulatory or compliance issues, the triggering of certain covenants in our debt instruments (including accelerated repayment) and unidentified issues not discovered in due diligence. In addition, such transactions could distract management from current operations. As a result of the risks inherent in such transactions, we cannot guarantee that any such transaction will ultimately result in the realization of its anticipated benefits or that it will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations. If we were to complete such an acquisition, disposition, investment or other strategic transaction, we may require additional debt or equity financing that could result in a significant increase in our amount of debt and our debt service obligations or the number of outstanding shares of our common stock, thereby diluting holders of our common stock outstanding prior to such acquisition.
We are subject to risks associated with our international operations.
We operate and contract-lease helicopters in international markets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 20% and 28%, respectively, of our operating revenues resulted from our international operations. We expect to increase our international operations in the future. Our international operations are subject to a number of risks, including:
| |
• | political conditions and events, including embargoes; |
| |
• | restrictive actions by U.S. and foreign governments, including in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Sweden and Spain, that could limit our ability to provide services in those countries; |
| |
• | the imposition of withholding or other taxes on foreign income, tariffs or restrictions on foreign trade and investment; |
| |
• | adverse tax consequences; |
| |
• | limitations on repatriation of earnings or currency exchange controls and import/export quotas; |
| |
• | nationalization, expropriation, asset seizure, blockades and blacklisting; |
| |
• | limitations in the availability, amount or terms, of insurance coverage; |
| |
• | loss of contract rights and inability to adequately enforce contracts; |
| |
• | political instability, war and civil disturbances or other risks that may limit or disrupt markets, such as terrorist attacks, piracy and kidnapping; |
| |
• | fluctuations in currency exchange rates, hard currency shortages and controls on currency exchange that affect demand for our services and our profitability; |
| |
• | potential noncompliance with a wide variety of laws and regulations, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the “FCPA”), and similar non-U.S. laws and regulations, including the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 (the “UKBA”); |
| |
• | changes in general economic conditions; |
| |
• | adverse changes in foreign laws or regulatory requirements, including those with respect to flight operations and environmental protections; and |
| |
• | difficulty in staffing and managing widespread operations. |
If we are unable to adequately address these risks, we could lose our ability to operate in certain international markets and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
There are risks associated with our debt structure.
As of the date of this Information Statement, our indebtedness consists of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes, $50.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and $33.2 million of aggregate indebtedness of one of our subsidiaries outstanding under two promissory notes. In addition, we have the ability to borrow up to $52.7 million under our Revolving Credit Facility, after taking into account the financial ratios we are required to maintain under the facility.
The agreements governing our Revolving Credit Facility and the indenture governing the Senior Notes contain various covenants that limit our ability to, among other things:
| |
• | incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; |
| |
• | incur liens or pledge the assets of certain of our subsidiaries; |
| |
• | enter into transactions with affiliates; and |
| |
• | enter into certain sales of all or substantially all of our assets, mergers and consolidations. |
Our Revolving Credit Facility also requires that we maintain a maximum funded debt to EBITDA (as defined in our Revolving Credit Facility) ratio (the “RC Leverage Ratio”) of 5.0 to 1.0 (increased from 4.0 to 1.0 as a result of the issuance of the Senior Notes) and comply with certain other financial ratios. Failure to comply with these covenants is an event of default under the facility and, as a result, our ability to borrow under our Revolving Credit Facility is dependent on and limited by our ability to comply with the RC Leverage Ratio limit and other financial ratios. See “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility.” After giving effect to the sale of the Senior Notes and the Series B Exchange, the amount of additional borrowings we could draw down under our Revolving Credit Facility, based on our RC Leverage Ratio as of such date, was $52.7 million.
As a result of a decrease in our operating revenues from contract-leasing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, and the related impact on our EBITDA (as defined in our Revolving Credit Facility), SEACOR purchased one million shares of our Series B preferred stock for $100.0 million, which we used to repay borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility so that we could maintain compliance with our financial ratios. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Overview” and “Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.” As a result of the Series B
Exchange, no shares of Series B preferred stock remain outstanding. If we continue to experience reduced operating revenues from certain of our contract-leasing activities, our ability to utilize our Revolving Credit Facility may be limited and we may require additional investments in our capital stock to maintain our financial ratio within applicable limits. However, after the spin-off we will not be able to rely on equity investments from SEACOR and no assurance can be given that these investments will be available in the capital markets. Any inability to borrow under our Revolving Credit Facility could have a material adverse effect on our ability to make capital expenditures, on our results of operations and on our liquidity. Further, failure to maintain the financial ratios required under the Revolving Credit Facility would constitute an event of default, allowing the lenders under our Revolving Credit Facility to declare the entire balance of any and all sums payable under the Revolving Credit Facility immediately due and payable, which in turn would permit the holders of the Senior Notes to accelerate maturity of the Senior Notes as well.
Our ability to meet our debt service obligations and refinance our indebtedness, including the debt existing at the time of the spin-off as well as any future debt that we may incur, will depend upon our ability to generate cash in the future from operations, financings or asset sales, which are subject to general economic conditions, industry cycles, seasonality and other factors, some of which may be beyond our control. If we cannot repay or refinance our debt as it becomes due, we may be forced to sell assets or take other disadvantageous actions, including (1) reducing financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes or (2) dedicating an unsustainable level of our cash flow from operations to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness. In addition, our ability to withstand competitive pressures and to react to changes in our industry could be impaired. The lenders who hold such debt could also accelerate amounts due, which could potentially trigger a default or acceleration of our other debt.
Our future debt levels and the terms of any future indebtedness we may incur may contain restrictive covenants and limit our liquidity and our ability to obtain additional financing and pursue acquisitions and joint ventures or purchase new helicopters. Tight credit conditions could limit our ability to secure additional financing, if required, due to difficulties accessing the credit and capital markets.
Our global operations are subject to foreign currency, interest rate, fixed-income, equity and commodity price risks.
We are exposed to currency fluctuations and exchange rate risks. We purchase some of our helicopters and helicopter parts from foreign manufacturers and maintain operations in foreign countries, which results in portions of our revenues and expenses being denominated in foreign currencies. We attempt to minimize our exposure to currency exchange risk by contracting the majority of our services in U.S. dollars. As a result, a strong U.S. dollar may increase the local cost of our services that are provided under the U.S. dollar denominated contracts, which may reduce demand for our services in foreign countries. Some of these risks may be hedged, but fluctuations could impact our financial condition and our results of operations. Our financial condition and our results of operations may also be affected by the cost of hedging activities that we undertake to protect against currency exchange risk. We operate in countries with foreign exchange controls, including Brazil and India. These controls may limit our ability to repatriate funds from our unconsolidated foreign affiliates or otherwise convert local currencies into U.S. dollars. These limitations could adversely affect our ability to access cash from these operations and our liquidity.
We are subject to governmental regulation that limits foreign ownership of helicopter companies.
We are subject to governmental regulation that limits foreign ownership of helicopter companies. Failure to comply with regulations and requirements for citizen ownership in the various markets in which we operate and may operate in the future, may subject our helicopters to deregistration or impoundment. If required levels of citizen ownership are not met or maintained, joint ventures in which we have significant investments also could be prohibited from operating within these countries. Deregistration of our helicopters or helicopters operated by our joint venture partners for any reason, including foreign ownership in excess of permitted levels, would have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct operations within these markets. We cannot assure you that there will be no changes in aviation laws, regulations, required levels of citizen ownership, or administrative requirements or the interpretations thereof, that could restrict or prohibit our ability to operate in certain regions. Any such restriction or prohibition on our ability to operate may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We limit foreign ownership of our company, which could reduce the price of our common stock and cause owners of our common stock who are not U.S. persons to lose their voting rights.
The amended and restated certificate of incorporation that we will adopt prior to the spin-off will provide that persons or entities that are not “citizens of the U.S.” (as defined in the Federal Aviation Act of 1958) shall not collectively own or control more than 24.9% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock (the “Permitted Foreign Ownership Percentage”) and that, if at any time persons that are not citizens of the U.S. nevertheless collectively own or control more than the Permitted Foreign Ownership Percentage, the voting rights of our outstanding voting capital stock in excess of the Permitted Foreign Ownership Percentage owned by stockholders who are not citizens of the U.S. shall automatically be reduced. These voting rights will be reduced pro rata among the holders of voting shares who are not citizens of the U.S. to equal the Permitted Foreign Ownership Percentage based on the number of votes to which the underlying voting securities are entitled. Shares held by persons who are not citizens of the U.S. may lose their associated voting rights and be redeemed as a result of these provisions. These restrictions may also have a material adverse impact on the liquidity or market value of our common stock because holders may be unable to transfer our common stock to persons who are not citizens of the U.S.
If we do not restrict the amount of foreign ownership of our common stock, we may fail to remain a U.S. citizen, might lose our status as a U.S. air carrier and be prohibited from operating helicopters in the U.S., which would adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Since we hold the status of a U.S. air carrier under the regulations of both the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) and the FAA and we engage in the operating and contract-leasing of helicopters in the U.S., we are subject to regulations pursuant to Title 49 of the Transportation Code (“Transportation Code”) and other statutes (collectively, “Aviation Acts”). The Transportation Code requires that Certificates to engage in air transportation be held only by citizens of the U.S. as that term is defined in the relevant section of the Transportation Code. That section requires: (i) that our president and two-thirds of our board of directors and other managing officers be U.S. citizens; (ii) that at least 75% of our outstanding voting stock be owned by U.S. citizens; and (iii) that we must be under the actual control of U.S. citizens. Further, our helicopters operating in the U.S. must generally be registered in the U.S. In order to register such helicopters under the Aviation Acts, we must be owned or controlled by U.S. citizens. Although the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws that we will adopt prior to the spin-off contain provisions intended to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Aviation Acts, a failure to maintain compliance would result in loss of our air carrier status and thereby adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and we would be prohibited from both operating as an air carrier and operating helicopters in the U.S. during any period in which we did not comply with these regulations.
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as amended, provides the federal government with broad discretion in regulating the leasing of offshore resources for the production of oil and gas.
We currently derive a significant portion of our revenues from helicopter services we provide in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico for the purposes of offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production. As such, we are subject to the U.S. government’s exercise of authority under the provisions of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act that restrict the availability of offshore oil and gas leases by requiring lease conditions such as the implementation of safety and environmental protections, the preparation of spill contingency plans and air quality standards for certain pollutants, the violations of which could result in potential court injunctions curtailing operations and lease cancellations and by requiring that all pipelines operating on or across the outer continental shelf provide open and nondiscriminatory access to shippers. These provisions could adversely impact exploration and production activity in these regions. If activity in oil and gas exploration, development and production in these regions declines, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We are subject to tax and other legal compliance risks, including anti-corruption statutes, the violation of which may adversely affect our business and operations.
As a global business, we are subject to complex laws and regulations in the U.S. and other countries in which we operate. Changes in laws or regulations and related interpretations and other guidance could result in higher expenses and payments. Uncertainty relating to such laws or regulations may also affect how we conduct our operations and structure our investments and could limit our ability to enforce our rights.
In order to compete effectively in certain foreign jurisdictions, we seek to establish joint ventures with local operators or strategic partners. We are subject to a variety of tax and legal compliance risks. These risks include, among other things, possible liability relating to taxes and compliance with U.S. and foreign export laws, competition laws and regulations, including the FCPA and the UKBA. The FCPA generally prohibits U.S. companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or maintaining business. The UKBA has similar provisions. We could be charged with wrongdoing for any of these matters as a result of our actions or the actions of our agents, local partners or joint ventures, even though these parties may not be subject to such statutes. If convicted or found liable of tax or other legal infractions, or if we have been determined to be in violation of the FCPA, we could be subject to significant fines, penalties, repayments, other damages (in certain cases, treble damages), or suspension or debarment from government contracts, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We are also subject to laws in the U.S. and outside of the U.S. regulating competition.
Independently, failure of us or one of our joint ventures or strategic partners to comply with applicable export and trade practice laws could result in civil or criminal penalties and suspension or termination of export privileges.
Negative publicity may adversely impact us.
Media coverage and public statements that insinuate improper actions by us or relate to accidents or other issues involving the safety of our helicopters or operations, regardless of their factual accuracy or truthfulness, may result in negative publicity, litigation or governmental investigations by regulators. Addressing negative publicity and any resulting litigation or investigations may distract management, increase costs and divert resources. Negative publicity may have an adverse impact on our reputation, our customer relationships and the morale of our employees, which could adversely affect our business, cash flows from operations, financial condition and results of operations.
Our inability to attract and retain qualified personnel could have an adverse effect on our business.
Attracting and retaining qualified pilots, mechanics and other highly skilled personnel is an important factor in our future success. Our inability to attract and retain qualified personnel could have an adverse effect on our business and our growth strategy. Many of our
customers require pilots with very high levels of flight experience. In addition, the maintenance of our helicopters requires mechanics that are trained and experienced in servicing particular makes and models of helicopters. The market for these highly skilled personnel is competitive and we cannot be certain that we will be successful in attracting and retaining qualified personnel in the future. In addition, if we enter into new markets or obtain additional customer contracts or the demand for our services increases, we may be required to hire additional pilots, mechanics and other flight-related personnel, which we may not be able to do on a timely or cost-effective basis.
If our employees were to unionize, our operating costs could increase.
Our employees are not currently represented by a collective bargaining agreement. However, we have no assurances that our employees will not unionize in the future. If any of our employees were to unionize, it could increase our operating costs, force us to alter our operating methods and/or have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Environmental regulations and liabilities, including new or developing regulations, may increase our costs of operations and adversely affect us.
Liabilities associated with environmental matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our operations are subject to U.S. federal, state and local and foreign environmental laws and regulations that impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the environment and establish standards for the treatment, storage, recycling and disposal of toxic and hazardous wastes. The nature of the business of operating and maintaining helicopters requires that we use, store, and dispose of materials that are subject to environmental regulation. In addition, our customers in the oil and gas exploration, development and production industry are affected by environmental laws and regulations that restrict their activities and may result in reduced demand for our services. Environmental laws and regulations change frequently, which makes it difficult to predict their cost or impact on our results of operations. We could also be exposed to strict, joint and several liability for cleanup costs, natural resource damages and other damages as a result of our conduct that was unlawful at the time it occurred or the conduct of, or conditions caused by, prior operators or third parties.
Any failure by us to comply with any environmental laws and regulations may result in administrative, civil or criminal sanctions, revocation or denial of permits or other authorizations, imposition of limitations on our operations, and site investigatory, remedial or other corrective actions.
In recent years, governments have increasingly focused on climate change, carbon emissions, and energy use. Regulations that curb the use of energy, or require the use of renewable fuels or renewable sources of energy—such as wind or solar power—could result in a reduction in demand for hydrocarbon-based fuels such as oil and natural gas. In addition, governments could pass laws, regulations or taxes that increase the cost of fuel, thereby impacting both demand for our services and also our cost of operations. Such initiatives could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Actions taken by Government Agencies, such as the Department of Commerce, the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration, could increase our costs and prohibit or reduce our ability to operate successfully.
Our operations are highly regulated by several U.S. government regulatory agencies. For example, as a certified air carrier, we are subject to regulations promulgated by the Department of Transportation and the FAA. The FAA regulates our flight operations and imposes requirements with respect to personnel, aircraft, ground facilities and other aspects of our operations, including:
| |
• | certification and reporting requirements; |
| |
• | personnel training standards; and |
| |
• | maintenance of personnel and aircraft records. |
The Department of Transportation can review our economic fitness to continue our operations, both presently and if a substantial change occurs to our management, ownership or capital structure, among other things. The Department of Commerce, through its International Traffic in Arms Regulations, regulates our imports and exports of aircraft (through leases and sales) as well as parts sales to international customers and the use of certain regulated technology in domestic and international airspace. If we fail to comply with these laws and regulations, or if these agencies develop concerns over our operations, we could face administrative, civil and/or criminal penalties. In addition, we may become subject to regulatory actions that could suspend, curtail or significantly modify our operations. A suspension or substantial curtailment of our operations or any substantial modification of our current operations may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
For example, the Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996 (the “PRIA”) requires an air carrier to request, receive and evaluate certain information concerning a pilot/applicant's training, experience, qualification and safety background, before beginning service as a pilot. As a result of an internal audit we became aware that a significant number of our pilots did not have complete PRIA background information contained in their personnel files. We immediately notified the FAA and implemented procedures to obtain the missing information and to ensure future compliance. The FAA may refer this matter to its Enforcement division, which could result in a significant civil penalty or other FAA actions.
Future changes to the regulations and laws under which we operate, and promulgation of new regulations and laws also could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.
Our FBO in Alaska is subject to extensive government regulation and other cost-related risks that could disrupt operations.
Our FBO in Alaska is subject to oversight by the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, is dependent upon that airport being “open for business” and is subject to federal regulatory requirements by the FAA, the Transportation Security Administration (the “TSA”) and other agencies. If the FAA, TSA or other agencies were to impose significant operating restrictions or increase insurance obligations such that insurance could not be obtained or purchased for a reasonable cost, or if any federal regulatory requirement were to require significant expenditure, the market for services from our FBO could be significantly impaired or entirely eliminated. In addition, the biggest revenue producing activity at our FBO, fuel sales to transient customers, could be adversely impacted by increases in fuel prices, the ability of our competitors to undercut our pricing, restrictions on private air travel and/or taxes on fuel or aircraft, any of which could make private air travel prohibitively expensive. Should the FBO’s operations be restricted or shut down, whether due to regulatory issues, the weather, a natural disaster, terrorist activity, or any other reason, our operations could be adversely impacted.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Our stock price may fluctuate significantly, and you may not be able to resell your shares at an attractive price.
The trading price of our common stock may be volatile and subject to wide price fluctuations in response to various factors, including:
| |
• | market conditions in the broader stock market; |
| |
• | actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly financial condition and results of operations; |
| |
• | introduction of new equipment or services by us or our competitors; |
| |
• | issuance of new or changed securities analysts’ reports or recommendations; |
| |
• | sales, or anticipated sales, of large blocks of our stock; |
| |
• | additions or departures of key personnel; |
| |
• | regulatory or political developments; |
| |
• | litigation and governmental investigations; and |
| |
• | changing economic conditions. |
These and other factors may cause the market price and demand for our common stock to fluctuate substantially, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling their shares of common stock and may otherwise negatively affect the liquidity of our common stock. In addition, in the past, when the market price of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock have sometimes instituted securities class action litigation against the company that issued the stock. If any of our stockholders were to bring a lawsuit against us, we could incur substantial costs defending the lawsuit. Such a lawsuit could also divert the time and attention of our management from our business. Despite the belief of SEACOR's board of directors, we cannot assure you that following the spin-off the aggregate value of our common stock and SEACOR common stock will ever exceed the pre-spin-off value of SEACOR's common stock.
Your percentage of ownership in us may be diluted in the future.
As with any publicly traded company, your percentage ownership in us may be diluted in the future because of equity issuances for acquisitions, capital market transactions or otherwise, including equity awards that we expect will be granted to our directors, officers and employees.
There is no existing market for our common stock, and we do not know if one will develop to provide you with adequate liquidity, and following the separation, our stock price may fluctuate significantly.
Prior to the separation, there has been no public market for shares of our common stock. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in our company will lead to the development of a trading market on the NYSE or how liquid that market may become. It is anticipated that on or shortly prior to the record date for the distribution of our common stock, trading of shares of our common stock would begin on a “when-issued” basis and such trading would continue up to and including the distribution date. However, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for our common stock will develop as a result of the separation or be sustained in the future. The lack of an active market may make it more difficult for you to sell our shares and could lead to the share price for our common stock being depressed or more volatile.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our stock or if our results of operations do not meet their expectations, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly,
we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade recommendations regarding our stock, or if our results of operations do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline and such decline could be material.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales might occur, could reduce the price of our common stock and may dilute your voting power and your ownership interest in us.
The shares of our common stock that SEACOR will distribute to its stockholders in the distribution generally may be sold immediately in the public market. SEACOR stockholders could sell our common stock received in the distribution if we do not fit their investment objectives, such as minimum market capitalization requirements or specific business sector focus requirements, or, in the case of index funds, if we are not part of the index in which they invest. If substantial amounts of our common stock are sold in the public market following consummation of the separation, the market price of our common stock could decrease significantly. The perception in the public market that shares of common stock will be sold in the public market could also depress our market price. A decline in the price of shares of our common stock might impede our ability to raise capital through the issuance of additional shares of our common stock or other equity securities.
For as long as we are an emerging growth company, we will be exempt from certain reporting requirements, including those relating to accounting standards and disclosure about our executive compensation, that apply to other public companies.
In April 2012, President Obama signed into law the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”). The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for emerging growth companies, including certain requirements relating to accounting standards and compensation disclosure. We are classified as an emerging growth company, which is defined as a company with annual gross revenues of less than $1 billion, that has been a public reporting company for a period of less than five years, and that does not have a public float of $700 million or more in securities held by non-affiliated holders. For as long as we are an emerging growth company, which may be up to five full fiscal years, unlike other public companies, unless we elect not to take advantage of applicable JOBS Act provisions, we will not be required to (1) provide an auditor’s attestation report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our system of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (2) comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards applicable to public companies until such standards are also applicable to private companies under Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act, (3) comply with any new requirements adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”), such as requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and the financial statements of the issuer, (4) comply with any new audit rules adopted by the PCAOB after April 5, 2012 unless the SEC determines otherwise, (5) provide certain disclosure regarding executive compensation required of larger public companies or (6) hold stockholder advisory and other votes on executive compensation. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of any choices to reduce future disclosure, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.
As noted above, under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We do not intend to take advantage of such extended transition period. This election is irrevocable pursuant to Section 107 of the JOBS Act.
As a result of becoming a public company, we will be obligated to develop and maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting and will be subject to other requirements that will be burdensome and costly. We may not timely complete our analysis of our internal control over financial reporting, or these internal controls may be determined to be ineffective, which could adversely affect investor confidence in our company and, as a result, the value of our common stock.
We have historically operated our business as a segment of a public company. Following consummation of the separation, we will be required to file with the SEC annual and quarterly information and other reports that are specified in Section 13 of the Exchange Act. We will also be required to ensure that we have the ability to prepare financial statements that are fully compliant with all SEC reporting requirements on a timely basis. In addition, we will become subject to other reporting and corporate governance requirements, including the requirements of the NYSE, and certain provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the regulations promulgated thereunder, which will impose significant compliance obligations upon us. As a public company, we will be required to:
| |
• | prepare and distribute periodic public reports and other stockholder communications in compliance with our obligations under the federal securities laws and NYSE rules; |
| |
• | create or expand the roles and duties of our board of directors and committees of the board of directors; |
| |
• | institute more comprehensive financial reporting and disclosure compliance functions; |
| |
• | supplement our internal accounting and auditing function, including hiring additional staff with expertise in accounting and financial reporting for a public company; |
| |
• | enhance and formalize closing procedures at the end of our accounting periods; |
| |
• | enhance our internal audit function; |
| |
• | enhance our investor relations function; |
| |
• | establish new internal policies, including those relating to disclosure controls and procedures; and |
| |
• | involve and retain to a greater degree outside counsel and accountants in the activities listed above. |
These changes will require a significant commitment of additional resources. We may not be successful in implementing these requirements and implementing them could adversely affect our business or results of operations. In addition, if we fail to implement the requirements with respect to our internal accounting and audit functions, our ability to report our results of operations on a timely and accurate basis could be impaired.
Our internal control over financial reporting may not fully meet the standards for an independent public company required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“Section 404”), and failure to achieve and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on us.
Our internal controls were developed when we were a subsidiary of SEACOR. As such, they may not fully meet the standards for an independent public company that are required by Section 404. We will have to meet such standards in the course of preparing our 2013 financial statements. We do not currently have comprehensive documentation of our internal controls, nor do we document or test our compliance with these controls on a periodic basis in accordance with Section 404. Furthermore, we have not tested our internal controls in accordance with Section 404 and, due to our lack of documentation, such a test would not be possible to perform at this time. Our compliance with Section 404 is expected to be first reported in connection with the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.
We are currently in the early stages of addressing our internal control procedures to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, which requires an annual management assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. We will incur additional costs in order to improve our internal control over financial reporting and comply with Section 404, including increased auditing and legal fees and costs associated with hiring additional accounting and administrative staff. If we are unable to implement and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis, may suffer adverse regulatory consequences or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules and may breach the covenants under our credit facilities. There could also be a negative reaction in the price of our common stock due to a loss of investor confidence in us and the reliability of our financial statements.
Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our management and, therefore, may depress the trading price of our common stock.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws include certain provisions that could have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change of control of our company or changes in our management, including, among other things:
| |
• | restrictions on the ability of our stockholders to fill a vacancy on the board of directors; |
| |
• | restrictions related to the ability of non-U.S. citizens owning our common stock; |
| |
• | our ability to issue preferred stock with terms that the board of directors may determine, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquirer; |
| |
• | the absence of cumulative voting in the election of directors which may limit the ability of minority stockholders to elect directors; and |
| |
• | advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations, which may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from soliciting proxies to elect a particular slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us. |
These provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change in control of our company that is in the best interest of our stockholders. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock if they are viewed as discouraging future takeover attempts.
We do not expect to pay dividends to holders of our common stock.
We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, for the foreseeable future, to repay indebtedness and to fund the development and growth of our business. We do not intend to pay any dividends to holders of our common stock. As a result, capital appreciation in the price of our common stock, if any, will be your only source of gain or income on an investment in our common stock. In addition, our Revolving Credit Facility contains restrictions on our ability to pay dividends. See “Dividend Policy.”
Risk Factors Relating to the Spin-off
Our historical and pro forma financial information may not be representative of the results we would have achieved as a stand-alone public company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.
The historical and pro forma financial information that we have included in this Information Statement may not necessarily reflect what our financial position, results of operations or cash flows would have been had we been an independent entity during the periods presented or those that we will achieve in the future. The costs and expenses reflected in our historical and pro forma financial information include an allocation for certain corporate functions historically provided by SEACOR, that may be different from the comparable expenses that we would have incurred had we operated as a stand-alone company. Our historical and pro forma financial information does not reflect changes that will occur in our cost structure, financing and operations as a result of our transition to becoming a stand-alone public company, including changes in our cash management, employee base, potential increased costs associated with reduced economies of scale and increased costs associated with SEC reporting and NYSE requirements.
We have made adjustments based upon available information and assumptions that we believe are reasonable to reflect these factors, among others, in our historical and pro forma consolidated financial data. However, our assumptions may prove not to be accurate, and accordingly, the historical and pro forma consolidated financial data presented in this Information Statement should not be assumed to be indicative of what our financial condition or results of operations actually would have been as an independent publicly traded company nor to be a reliable indicator of what our financial condition or results of operations actually may be in the future.
In connection with and following consummation of the separation, we will rely on SEACOR’s performance under various agreements and we will continue to be dependent on SEACOR to provide us with support services for our business.
We expect to enter or have entered into various agreements with SEACOR in connection with the separation, including an Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement, Distribution Agreement, Tax Matters Agreement, Employee Matters Agreement and the Series B Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement. These agreements will govern our relationship with SEACOR subsequent to the separation. It is possible that if SEACOR were to fail to fulfill its obligations under these agreements we could suffer operational difficulties or significant losses.
If we are required to indemnify SEACOR for certain liabilities and related losses arising in connection with any of these agreements, we may be subject to substantial liabilities, which could materially adversely affect our financial position. If SEACOR is required to indemnify us for certain liabilities and related losses arising in connection with any of these agreements, we may be subject to substantial liabilities if SEACOR does not fulfill its obligations, which could materially adversely affect our financial position.
Historically, our business has been conducted as a segment of SEACOR, and support services required for the operation of our business are currently provided by SEACOR and its subsidiaries. Under the terms of the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement, SEACOR will continue to provide us on an interim basis with certain support services, including payroll processing, information systems support, benefit plan management, cash disbursement support, cash receipt processing and treasury management. We expect these services to be provided for varying durations but no greater than two years.
Although SEACOR is contractually obligated to provide us with services during the term of the agreement, we cannot assure you that these services will be performed as efficiently or proficiently after the expiration of the agreement, or that we will be able to replace these services in a timely manner or on comparable terms. They also contain provisions that may be more favorable than terms and provisions we might have obtained in arms-length negotiations with unaffiliated third parties. When SEACOR ceases to provide services pursuant to the agreement, our costs of procuring those services from third parties may increase. In addition, we may not be able to replace these services or enter into appropriate third-party agreements on terms and conditions, including cost, comparable to those under the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement. Although we intend to replace some of the services that will be provided by SEACOR under the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement, we may encounter difficulties replacing certain services or be unable to negotiate pricing or other terms as favorable as those we currently have in effect. To the extent that we may require additional support from SEACOR not addressed in the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement, we would need to negotiate the terms of receiving such corporate support in future agreements. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements between SEACOR and Era Group Relating to the Separation.”
We may have difficulty operating as an independent, publicly traded company.
As an independent, publicly traded company, we believe that our business will benefit from, among other things, allowing us to better focus our financial and operational resources on our specific business, allowing our management to design and implement corporate strategies and policies that are based primarily on the business characteristics and strategic decisions of our business, allowing us to more effectively respond to industry dynamics and allowing the creation of effective incentives for our management and employees that are more closely tied to our business performance. However, we may not be able to achieve some or all of the benefits that we believe we can achieve as an independent company in the time we expect, if at all. Because our business has previously operated as part of the wider SEACOR organization, we may not be able to successfully implement the changes necessary to operate independently and may incur additional costs that could adversely affect our business.
As an independent, publicly traded company, we may not enjoy the same benefits that it did as a segment of SEACOR.
There is a risk that, by separating from SEACOR, we may become more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events than we would have been if we were still a part of the current SEACOR organizational structure. As part of SEACOR, we have been able to enjoy certain benefits from SEACOR’s operating diversity, available capital for investments and opportunities to pursue integrated strategies with SEACOR’s other businesses. As an independent, publicly traded company, we will not have similar diversity, available capital or integration opportunities and may not have similar access to capital markets.
Our ability to meet our capital needs may be harmed by the loss of financial support from SEACOR.
The loss of financial support from SEACOR could harm our ability to meet our capital needs. Prior to our entry into our Revolving Credit Facility on December 22, 2011, we participated in a cash management program whereby certain of our operating and capital expenditures were funded through advances from SEACOR and certain of our cash collections were forwarded to SEACOR. As a consequence of this arrangement, we had historically maintained minor cash on hand balances. After the spin-off, we expect to obtain any funds needed in excess of the amounts generated by our operating activities through the capital markets or bank financing (including available borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility), and not from SEACOR. However, given the smaller relative size of our company as compared to SEACOR after the spin-off, we expect to incur higher debt servicing and other costs than we would have otherwise incurred as a part of SEACOR. Further, we cannot guarantee you that we will be able to obtain capital market financing or credit on favorable terms, or at all, in the future. We cannot assure you that our ability to meet our capital needs will not be harmed by the loss of financial support from SEACOR.
If, following the completion of the separation, there is a determination that the separation is taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes because the facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings underlying the IRS ruling or tax opinion are incorrect or for any other reason, then SEACOR, its stockholders that are subject to U.S. federal income tax and Era Group could incur significant U.S. federal income tax liabilities.
The distribution is conditioned upon SEACOR’s receipt of either (i) a private letter ruling from the IRS, together with an opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, tax counsel to SEACOR, substantially to the effect that, among other things, the separation qualifies as a transaction that is tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Code or (ii) an opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, substantially to the effect that the separation qualifies as a transaction that is described in Section 355(a) of the Code. The ruling and opinion will rely on certain facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings from SEACOR and us regarding the past and future conduct of the companies’ respective businesses and other matters. If any of these facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings are incorrect or not otherwise satisfied, SEACOR and its stockholders may not be able to rely on the ruling or the opinion of tax counsel and could be subject to significant tax liabilities. Notwithstanding the private letter ruling and opinion of tax counsel, the IRS could determine on audit that the separation is taxable if it determines that any of these facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings are not correct or have been violated or if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinion that are not covered by the private letter ruling, or for other reasons, including as a result of certain significant changes in the stock ownership of SEACOR or us after the separation. If the separation is determined to be taxable, SEACOR, its stockholders that are subject to U.S. federal income tax and Era Group could incur significant U.S. federal income tax liabilities
Prior to the separation, we and SEACOR will enter into the Tax Matters Agreement that will govern the parties' respective rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to taxes, tax attributes, the preparation and filing of tax returns, the control of audits and other tax proceedings and assistance and cooperation in respect of tax matters. Taxes relating to or arising out of the failure of certain of the transactions described in the private letter ruling request and the opinion of tax counsel to qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be borne by SEACOR, except, in general, if such failure is attributable to our action or inaction or SEACOR's action or inaction, as the case may be, or any event (or series of events) involving our assets or stock or the assets or stock of SEACOR, as the case may be, in which case the resulting liability will be borne in full by us or SEACOR, respectively.
Our obligations under the Tax Matters Agreement are not limited in amount or subject to any cap. Further, even if we are not responsible for tax liabilities of SEACOR and its subsidiaries under the Tax Matters Agreement, we nonetheless could be liable under applicable tax law for such liabilities if SEACOR were to fail to pay them. If we are required to pay any liabilities under the circumstances set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement or pursuant to applicable tax law, the amounts may be significant.
We may not be able to engage in certain corporate transactions for a period of time after the separation.
To preserve the tax-free treatment to SEACOR of the separation, under the Tax Matters Agreement that we will enter into with SEACOR, we may not take any action that would jeopardize the favorable tax treatment of the distribution. These restrictions may limit our ability to pursue certain strategic transactions or engage in other transactions that might increase the value of our business for the two-year period following the separation. For more information, see the sections entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements between SEACOR and Era Group Relating to the Separation—Tax Matters Agreement” and “The Spin-Off—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”
A number of our directors and executive officers own common stock and other equity instruments of SEACOR, which could cause conflicts of interests.
Our Non-Executive Chairman and a number of our other directors and officers own a substantial amount of SEACOR common stock along with other equity instruments, the value of which is related to the value of common stock of SEACOR. The direct and indirect interests of our Non-Executive Chairman and other directors and officers in common stock of SEACOR and the presence of certain of SEACOR’s principal executives on our board of directors could create, or appear to create, conflicts of interest with respect to matters involving both us and SEACOR that could have different implications for SEACOR than they do for us. As a result, we may be precluded from pursuing certain opportunities on which we would otherwise act, including growth opportunities.
We do not intend to adopt specific policies or procedures to address conflicts of interests that may arise as a result of certain of our directors and officers owning SEACOR common stock or our Non-Executive Chairman and other directors being an executive officer of SEACOR. However, prior to consummation of the distribution, we will adopt a Related Person Transactions Policy to provide guidance in identifying, reviewing and, where appropriate, approving or ratifying transactions with related persons. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—Related Person Transactions Policy.” In addition, prior to consummation of the distribution, we will adopt separate Corporate Governance Guidelines, a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and a Supplemental Code of Ethics that will provide guidelines to our executive officers and directors in addressing conflicts of interest. See “Management—Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.”
The spin-off may expose us to potential liabilities arising out of state and federal fraudulent conveyance laws and legal dividend requirements.
The distribution is subject to review under various state and federal fraudulent conveyance laws. Fraudulent conveyance laws generally provide that an entity engages in a constructive fraudulent conveyance when (1) the entity transfers assets and does not receive fair consideration or reasonably equivalent value in return, and (2) the entity (a) is insolvent at the time of the transfer or is rendered insolvent by the transfer, (b) has unreasonably small capital with which to carry on its business, or (c) intends to incur or believes it will incur debts beyond its ability to repay its debts as they mature. An unpaid creditor or an entity acting on behalf of a creditor (including without limitation a trustee or debtor-in-possession in a bankruptcy by us or SEACOR or any of our respective subsidiaries) may bring an action alleging that the distribution or any of the related transactions constituted a constructive fraudulent conveyance. If a court accepts these allegations, it could impose a number of remedies, including without limitation, voiding our claims against SEACOR, requiring our shareholders to return to SEACOR some or all of the shares of our common stock issued in the distribution, or providing SEACOR with a claim for money damages against us in an amount equal to the difference between the consideration received by SEACOR and the fair market value of our company at the time of the distribution.
The measure of insolvency for purposes of the fraudulent conveyance laws will vary depending on which jurisdiction’s law is applied. Generally, an entity would be considered insolvent if (1) the present fair saleable value of its assets is less than the amount of its liabilities (including contingent liabilities); (2) the present fair saleable value of its assets is less than its probable liabilities on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured; (3) it cannot pay its debts and other liabilities (including contingent liabilities and other commitments) as they mature; or (4) it has unreasonably small capital for the business in which it is engaged. We cannot assure you what standard a court would apply to determine insolvency or that a court would determine that we, SEACOR or any of our respective subsidiaries were solvent at the time of or after giving effect to the distribution.
The distribution of our common stock is also subject to review under state corporate distribution statutes. Under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), a corporation may only pay dividends to its shareholders either (1) out of its surplus (net assets minus capital) or (2) if there is no such surplus, out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. Although SEACOR intends to make the distribution of our common stock entirely from surplus, we cannot assure you that a court will not later determine that some or all of the distribution to SEACOR shareholders was unlawful.
Prior to the distribution, as a condition to the distribution, the SEACOR board of directors will have obtained an opinion from a nationally recognized provider of such opinions that SEACOR and Era Group will each be solvent and adequately capitalized immediately after the separation. We cannot assure you, however, that a court would reach the same conclusions set forth in such opinion in determining whether SEACOR or we were insolvent at the time of, or after giving effect to, the spin-off, or whether lawful funds were available for the separation and the distribution to SEACOR’s shareholders.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements appearing in this Information Statement constitute “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include financial projections, statements of plans and objectives for future operations, statements of future economic performance, and statements of assumptions relating thereto. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “potential,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results, performance and the timing of events to differ materially from those anticipated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this Information Statement. Such risks or uncertainties may give rise to future claims and increase exposure to contingent liabilities. These risks and uncertainties arise from (among other factors) the following:
• the inability to complete the separation due to the failure to satisfy conditions to completion of such transaction, including required regulatory approvals;
• the failure of the separation to occur for any other reason;
• the effect of the separation on our business relationships, operating results and business generally;
• the less diversified nature of our business and operations after the separation;
• general competitive, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations;
• actions taken or conditions imposed by the U.S. and foreign governments; and
• adverse outcomes of pending or threatened litigation or government investigations.
These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this Information Statement. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from what we projected. Consequently, actual events and results may vary significantly from those included in or contemplated or implied by our forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this Information Statement are made only as of the date of this Information Statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf, whether as a result of new information, future developments, subsequent events or circumstances or otherwise.
THE SPIN-OFF
General
The board of directors of SEACOR, our parent company, has announced its intention to spin-off Era Group as an independent, publicly traded company, to be accomplished by means of a pro rata dividend of all of our common stock (after giving effect to the Recapitalization, which is described below) to SEACOR's stockholders. Following the spin-off, SEACOR will no longer own any equity interest in us, and we will operate as an independent, publicly traded company. We have received approval to list our common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “ERA.”
We currently have two classes of authorized common stock: Class A and Class B common stock, of which only Class B common stock is outstanding, and two series of authorized convertible preferred stock: Series A and Series B, of which only Series A preferred stock remains outstanding. SEACOR owns all of the outstanding shares of our capital stock, including all of the outstanding shares of our Class B common stock and all of our outstanding Series A preferred stock. Prior to consummation of the Series B Exchange, SEACOR also owned all of the outstanding shares of our Series B preferred stock. On December 18, 2012, we entered into the Series B Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement with SEACOR pursuant to which SEACOR transferred to us 500,000 shares of Series B preferred stock ($50.0 million in liquidation value) that it held in partial satisfaction for the benefit that SEACOR (and other SEACOR U.S. federal consolidated group members) received by applying U.S. federal net operating losses generated by us in 2012 against SEACOR group taxable income. We repurchased for cash the remaining 500,000 shares of Series B preferred stock ($50.0 million in liquidation value) outstanding not transferred to us as described in the preceding sentence for $50.0 million. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions —Agreements between SEACOR and Era Group Relating to the Separation—Series B Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement.” In the Recapitalization, to be effective immediately prior to the spin-off, we will exchange our then outstanding Class B common stock and Series A preferred stock for shares of newly-issued common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Following the Recapitalization, we will have only one class of common stock issued and outstanding, and no preferred stock will be outstanding. The common stock that SEACOR receives in the Recapitalization, which will represent all of our outstanding capital stock, will be the stock distributed by SEACOR in the spin-off. We expect approximately 19.9 million shares of our common stock will be distributed in the spin-off based on the number of shares of SEACOR common stock we expect to be outstanding on the record date.
On January 31, 2013, the distribution date, each stockholder holding shares of SEACOR common stock that were outstanding as of January 24, 2013, the record date, will be entitled to receive, in respect of each share of SEACOR common stock, one share of Era Group common stock, as described below. Immediately following the distribution, SEACOR’s stockholders will own 100% of the outstanding common stock of Era Group and SEACOR will not hold any of our outstanding capital stock. You will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange your common shares of SEACOR or take any other action to receive your shares of Era Group common stock.
Holders of SEACOR common stock will continue to hold their shares in SEACOR. We do not require and are not seeking a vote of SEACOR’s stockholders in connection with the spin-off, and SEACOR’s shareholders will not have any appraisal rights in connection with the spin-off.
Before the distribution, we will enter into the Distribution Agreement and other agreements with SEACOR to effect the distribution and provide a framework for our relationship with SEACOR after the distribution. These agreements will govern the relationship between us and SEACOR up to and subsequent to the completion of the distribution. We describe these arrangements in greater detail under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements between SEACOR and Era Group Relating to the Separation” and describe some of the risks of these arrangements under “Risk Factors—Risk Factors Relating to the Spin-Off.”
The distribution of shares of our common stock as described in this Information Statement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. In addition, SEACOR has the right not to complete the spin-off if, at any time prior to the distribution, its board of directors determines, in its sole discretion, that the spin-off is not in the best interests of SEACOR or its stockholders, or that it is not advisable for us to separate from SEACOR. For a more detailed description of these conditions, see “—Conditions to the Spin-off.”
Reasons for the Spin-Off
SEACOR regularly reviews and evaluates the various businesses that SEACOR conducts and the fit that these businesses have within its overall business and growth strategies to help ensure that SEACOR's resources are being put to use in a manner that is in the best interests of SEACOR and its stockholders. In August 2011, SEACOR determined to commence an IPO process in respect of our Class A common stock pursuant to which shares of our Class A common stock would have been sold to the public markets. It was anticipated that following the consummation of our IPO, SEACOR would have retained a majority controlling interest in our company. For a number of reasons, including the then existing state of the capital markets, it was determined that we abandon the IPO and pursue the spin-off. This determination was made based on SEACOR's board of directors' belief that the separation of our business from SEACOR's other businesses was the most efficient manner to distribute the business to SEACOR's
stockholders and that separating us from SEACOR would provide financial, operational and managerial benefits to both SEACOR and us, including but not limited to the following:
| |
• | Ability to Use Equity as Consideration for Acquisitions. The spin-off will provide each of SEACOR and us with enhanced flexibility to use our respective stock as consideration in pursuing certain financial and strategic objectives, including mergers and acquisitions involving other companies or businesses engaged in our respective industries. We believe that we will be able to more easily facilitate future strategic transactions with businesses in our industry through the use of our stand-alone stock as consideration. Although we have no current plans to engage in a merger or similar transaction with any particular company, we believe that potential targets in our industry are often more interested in receiving stock of a company the value of which is tied directly to the helicopter services business, rather than stock of a more diversified company in which value is tied to a number of other businesses in addition to the helicopter services business. Further, SEACOR believes that potential acquisition targets of some of its other businesses would be more interested in pursuing transactions in which they received stock, the value of which is not tied, in part, to the helicopter services business. |
| |
• | Improved Management Incentive Tools. We expect to use equity-based incentive awards to compensate current and future employees. SEACOR believes that compensation of our employees in the form of SEACOR equity does not serve the desired purpose of incentivizing our employees to maximize our profits because the relative performance and size of SEACOR’s other businesses have a significant impact on the value of SEACOR equity-based compensation issued to our employees. Following the distribution, appreciation in the value of shares underlying our equity-based awards granted to our employees will no longer be impacted by the performance of SEACOR’s other businesses. Rather, equity-based incentive awards granted to our employees following the distribution will be tied directly to our performance, providing employees with incentives more closely linked to the achievement of our specific performance objectives. This will better align our employee interests with the interests of our stockholders. SEACOR also believes that equity-based compensation arrangements tied more closely to our performance will benefit recruitment efforts. Certain members of our senior management have expressed a strong preference for receiving equity compensation tied solely to our performance. We believe that offering equity compensation tied directly to our performance will assist in attracting and retaining qualified personnel, especially in light of the fact that many of our competitors have the ability to provide employees with equity compensation tied directly to the helicopter services business. |
| |
• | Focused Management. The separation will allow management of each company to devote its time and attention to the development and implementation of corporate strategies and policies that are based primarily on the specific business characteristics of the respective companies without the need to consider the effect those decisions may have on the other company. SEACOR has a limited pool of capital with which to develop its businesses and pursue new projects. SEACOR’s management spends significant time determining how this capital will be allocated among its businesses. An increasing amount of SEACOR’s capital has been allocated to us, to the detriment of SEACOR’s other businesses, to finance the expansion and modernization of our fleet. This has resulted in significant pressure in the allocation of capital among us and SEACOR’s other businesses. SEACOR’s board of directors believes that the spin-off will allow the management of each of us and SEACOR to focus on our and its respective businesses rather than spend significant time resolving the appropriate allocation of capital. |
In addition, the SEACOR board of directors believes that following the spin-off, the aggregate value of our common stock and SEACOR’s common stock should, over time and assuming the same market conditions, exceed the pre-spin-off value of SEACOR’s common stock. SEACOR’s board of directors believes that the public markets and securities analysts have a difficult time evaluating SEACOR because of the combination of our business activities focused on helicopter assets and services and SEACOR’s other businesses primarily focused on marine assets and services. The board of directors believes public market participants may not fully understand each of the business units, and it is more difficult to compare SEACOR to companies that primarily operate in only one of these business lines. As a result, SEACOR’s board of directors believes that the market value of SEACOR’s common stock does not accurately reflect the total value of its individual business units. SEACOR’s board of directors believes that by separating us from SEACOR and creating an independent company focused on helicopter assets and services, while retaining SEACOR’s other businesses that are primarily focused on marine assets and services, it will be easier for investors and analysts to better understand the business strengths and future prospects of each company's respective businesses. SEACOR’s board of directors believes that, over time, this will result in better stock market analysis and a higher aggregate stock price for our and SEACOR’s common stock. The SEACOR board of directors believes that a higher aggregate stock price will help facilitate some of the other business purposes of the spin-off, particularly by limiting the dilutive effect of equity issuances in connection with employee compensation arrangements and business acquisitions. Despite the belief of SEACOR’s board of directors, we cannot assure you that following the spin-off the aggregate value of our common stock and SEACOR’s common stock will ever exceed the pre-spin-off value of SEACOR’s common stock.
SEACOR’s board of directors also considered a number of potentially negative factors in evaluating the separation, including, in the case of both companies, increased costs, disruptions to the businesses as a result of the separation, the risk of being unable to achieve expected benefits from the separation, the risk that the separation might not be completed, the initial costs of the separation and the ongoing costs of our operating as a separate, publicly traded company.
SEACOR’s board of directors considered several factors that might have a negative effect on SEACOR in particular as a result of the separation, including that the separation would eliminate from SEACOR the valuable businesses of Era Group in a transaction that produces no direct economic consideration for SEACOR.
SEACOR’s board of directors also considered certain aspects of the separation that may be adverse to Era Group, including the loss of the ability to obtain capital resources from SEACOR and the limitations placed on Era Group as a result of the Tax Matters Agreement and other agreements it is expected to enter into with SEACOR in connection with the spin-off. In addition, Era Group’s common stock may come under temporary selling pressure in the short-term period following the spin-off as certain SEACOR stockholders may sell their shares in Era Group because Era Group, as a separate business, does not fit their investment priorities, such as minimum market capitalization requirements or specific business sector focus requirements. Moreover, certain other near-term factors such as a lack of historical financial and performance data as an independent company may initially limit investors’ ability to appropriately value Era Group’s common stock. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Common Stock— Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales might occur, could reduce the price of our common stock and may dilute your voting power and your ownership interest in us.”
Notwithstanding these potentially negative factors, however, the board of directors of SEACOR determined that the separation was the best alternative to enhance stockholder value taking into account the factors discussed above.
In view of the wide variety of factors considered in connection with the evaluation of the separation and the complexity of these matters, SEACOR’s board of directors did not find it useful to, and did not attempt to, quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to the factors considered.
Manner of Effecting the Spin-Off
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the distribution will be effective as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern time, on January 31, 2013, the distribution date. As a result of the spin-off, on the distribution date, each SEACOR stockholder will receive one share of Era Group common stock for every share of SEACOR common stock owned by such holder and outstanding as of the record date. In order to receive shares of our common stock in the spin-off, a SEACOR stockholder must be a stockholder at the close of business of the NYSE on January 24, 2013, the record date. The distribution will be pro rata to stockholders holding shares of SEACOR common stock that are outstanding as of the record date. SEACOR stockholders will not be required to make any payment, send any proxy or surrender or exchange their shares of SEACOR common stock or take any other action to receive their shares of our common stock.
See “—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” for an explanation of the tax consequences of the separation.
If you own shares of SEACOR common stock as of the close of business on the record date, the shares of Era Group common stock that you are entitled to receive will be issued electronically, as of the distribution date, to you or to your bank or brokerage firm on your behalf by way of direct registration in book-entry form. Registration in book-entry form refers to a method of recording share ownership when no physical share certificates are issued to stockholders, as is the case in the distribution. If you sell shares of SEACOR common stock in the market up to and including the distribution date, however, you may be selling your right to receive shares of Era Group common stock in the distribution.
Commencing on or shortly after the distribution date, if you hold physical share certificates that represent your shares of SEACOR common stock and you are the registered holder of the SEACOR shares represented by those certificates, the distribution agent will mail to you an account statement that indicates the number of shares of Era Group common stock that have been registered in book-entry form in your name. See “—Results of Separation; Listing of Era Group Common Stock and Trading of SEACOR Common Stock.”
Most SEACOR stockholders hold their shares of SEACOR common stock through a bank or brokerage firm. In such cases, the bank or brokerage firm would be said to hold the shares in “street name” and ownership would be recorded on the bank or brokerage firm’s books. If you hold your shares of SEACOR common stock through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the shares of Era Group common stock that you are entitled to receive in the distribution. If you have any questions concerning the mechanics of having shares held in “street name,” we encourage you to contact your bank or brokerage firm at any time following the approval of the separation.
SEACOR is expected to establish a “blackout period” beginning as early as January 22, 2013 and continuing through February 5, 2013, during which time no SEACOR employee stock options may vest or be exercised and no SEACOR shares will be repurchased by SEACOR. Assuming approximately 19.9 million shares of SEACOR common stock are outstanding as of the record date (which was the actual number of shares outstanding as of January 8, 2013), the number of shares of Era Group common
stock to be distributed, and the number of shares of Era Group which will be outstanding immediately following the separation, will be approximately 19.9 million. The separation will not affect the number of outstanding shares of SEACOR common stock or any rights of SEACOR’s stockholders.
Conditions to the Spin-Off
The distribution is subject to a number of conditions, including the following:
| |
• | the board of directors of SEACOR, in its sole and absolute discretion, will have authorized and approved the spin-off and not withdrawn such authorization and approval, and will have declared the dividend of our common stock to SEACOR stockholders; |
| |
• | the SEC will have declared effective our registration statement on Form 10, of which this Information Statement is a part, and no stop order relating to the registration statement shall be in effect; |
| |
• | SEACOR’s board of directors will have received an opinion from a nationally recognized provider of such opinions to the effect that SEACOR and Era Group will each be solvent and adequately capitalized immediately after the separation; |
| |
• | the Distribution Agreement and each other agreement to be executed in connection with the spin-off will have been executed by each party thereto; |
| |
• | our common stock will have been accepted for listing on a national securities exchange approved by SEACOR, subject to official notice of issuance; |
| |
• | SEACOR’s receipt of either (i) a private letter ruling from the IRS together with an opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, tax counsel to SEACOR, substantially to the effect that, among other things, the separation qualifies as a transaction that is tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Code or (ii) SEACOR’s receipt of an opinion from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, substantially to the effect that the separation qualifies as a transaction that is described in Section 355(a) of the Code; |
| |
• | Era Group’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, each in substantially the form filed as exhibits to the Form 10 of which this Information Statement is a part, are in effect; |
| |
• | no order, injunction or decree that would prevent the consummation of the distribution is threatened, pending or issued (and still in effect) by any governmental authority of competent jurisdiction, no other legal restraint or prohibition preventing consummation of the distribution is pending, threatened, issued or in effect and no other event has occurred or failed to occur that prevents the consummation of the distribution; and |
| |
• | any material governmental approvals and other consents necessary to consummate the spin-off have been obtained. |
The fulfillment of the foregoing conditions will not create any obligation on SEACOR’s part to effect the spin-off. Except as described in the foregoing conditions, we are not aware of any material federal or state regulatory requirements that must be complied with or any material approvals that must be obtained. SEACOR has the right not to complete the spin-off if, at any time prior to the distribution, the board of directors of SEACOR determines, in its sole discretion, that the spin-off is not in the best interests of SEACOR or its stockholders, or that it is not advisable for us to separate from SEACOR.
Results of the Separation; Listing of Era Group Common Stock and Trading of SEACOR Common Stock
We have applied to list Era Group’s common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “ERA.” We expect that a “when-issued” market in Era Group common stock may develop shortly prior to the record date, and we will announce the when-issued trading symbol of Era Group when and if it becomes available. When-issued trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. The when-issued trading market will be a market for the Era Group common stock that will be distributed to SEACOR stockholders on the distribution date. If you own shares of SEACOR common stock at the close of business on the record date, you will be entitled to shares of Era Group common stock distributed pursuant to the separation. You may trade this entitlement to shares of Era Group common stock, without the shares of SEACOR common stock you own, on the when-issued market. On the first trading day following the distribution date, we expect that when-issued trading with respect to Era Group common stock will end and regular-way trading will begin.
It is also anticipated that, shortly prior to the record date and continuing up to and including the distribution date, there will be two markets for SEACOR common stock: a “regular-way” market and an “ex-distribution” market. Shares of SEACOR common stock that trade on the regular-way market will trade with an entitlement to shares of Era Group common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. Shares that trade on the ex-distribution market will trade without an entitlement to shares of Era Group common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. Therefore, if you sell shares of SEACOR common stock in the regular-way market up to and including the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of Era Group common stock in
the distribution. However, if you own SEACOR common stock at the close of business on the record date and sell those shares on the ex-distribution market up to and including the distribution date, you will still receive the shares of Era Group common stock that you would otherwise be entitled to receive pursuant to the distribution.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution by SEACOR of all of our outstanding common stock to its shareholders. This summary is based on the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and judicial and administrative interpretations of the Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations, all as in effect on the date of this Information Statement, and is subject to changes in these or other governing authorities, any of which may have a retroactive effect. This summary assumes that the separation will be consummated in accordance with the Distribution Agreement and as described in this Information Statement. This summary does not purport to be a complete description of all U.S. federal income tax consequences of the separation nor does it address the effects of any state, local or foreign tax laws or U.S. federal tax laws other than those relating to income taxes on the separation. The tax treatment of a SEACOR shareholder may vary depending upon that shareholder’s particular situation, and certain shareholders (including, but not limited to, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, retirement plans, tax-deferred or other retirement accounts, financial institutions, broker-dealers, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, partners in partnerships that hold common shares in SEACOR, pass-through entities, traders in securities who elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting, shareholders who hold their SEACOR common shares as part of a “hedge,” “straddle,” “conversion,” “synthetic security,” “integrated investment” or “constructive sale transaction,” shareholders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, individuals who received SEACOR common shares upon the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation, and shareholders who are subject to alternative minimum tax) may be subject to special rules not discussed below. This summary does not address U.S. federal income tax consequences to a SEACOR shareholder who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a non-resident alien individual, a foreign corporation, a foreign partnership, or a foreign trust or estate. In addition, this summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to those SEACOR shareholders who do not hold their SEACOR common shares as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code.
Each shareholder is urged to consult the shareholder’s tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences of the distribution to that shareholder, including the effect of any U.S. federal, state or local or foreign tax laws and of changes in applicable tax laws.
The distribution is conditioned upon SEACOR’s receipt of either (i) a private letter ruling from the IRS together with an opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, tax counsel to SEACOR, substantially to the effect that, among other things, the separation qualifies as a transaction that is tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Code or (ii) an opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, substantially to the effect that the separation qualifies as a transaction that is described in Section 355(a) of the Code. SEACOR has submitted a request for a private letter ruling from the IRS that the separation will so qualify. Such ruling and opinion will be based on, among other things, certain assumptions as well as on the accuracy and completeness of certain representations and statements that SEACOR and we make to the IRS and tax counsel. In rendering the ruling and opinion, the IRS and tax counsel also will rely on certain covenants that SEACOR and we enter into, including the adherence by SEACOR and us to certain restrictions on future actions. Although a private letter ruling from the IRS is generally binding on the IRS, if any of the assumptions, representations or statements that SEACOR and we make are, or become, inaccurate or incomplete, or if SEACOR or we breach any of our covenants, the separation might not qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Code. In addition, if any of the assumptions, representations or statements that SEACOR and we make are, or become, inaccurate or incomplete, or if SEACOR or we breach any of our covenants, the conclusions reached by tax counsel in its opinion might no longer be valid. The opinion will not be binding on the IRS or the courts.
Assuming that the separation qualifies as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Code, the following describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to SEACOR, us and SEACOR shareholders of the separation:
| |
• | subject to the discussion below regarding Section 355(e) of the Code, neither we nor SEACOR will recognize any gain or loss upon the distribution of our common stock and no amount will be included in the income of SEACOR or us as a result of the distribution other than taxable income or gain with respect to any “excess loss account” or “intercompany transaction” required to be taken into account under U.S. Treasury regulations relating to consolidated federal income tax returns; |
| |
• | a SEACOR shareholder will not recognize any gain or loss and no amount will be included in income as a result of the receipt of our common stock pursuant to the distribution; |
| |
• | a SEACOR shareholder’s aggregate tax basis in such shareholder’s SEACOR common shares held as of the record date and in our common stock received in the distribution will equal such shareholder’s tax basis in its SEACOR common shares immediately before the distribution, allocated between the SEACOR common shares and our common stock in proportion to their relative fair market values on the distribution date; and |
| |
• | a SEACOR shareholder’s holding period for our common stock received in the distribution will include the holding period for that shareholder’s SEACOR common shares; |
U.S. Treasury regulations provide that if a SEACOR shareholder holds different blocks of SEACOR common shares (generally common shares of SEACOR purchased or acquired on different dates or at different prices), the aggregate basis for each block of SEACOR common shares purchased or acquired on the same date and at the same price will be allocated, to the greatest extent possible, between the shares of our common stock received in the distribution in respect of such block of SEACOR common shares and such block of SEACOR common shares, in proportion to their respective fair market values. The holding period of the shares of our common stock received in the distribution in respect of such block of SEACOR common shares will include the holding period of such block of SEACOR common shares. If a SEACOR shareholder is not able to identify which particular shares of our common stock are received in the distribution with respect to a particular block of SEACOR common shares, for purposes of applying the rules described above, the stockholder may designate which shares of our common stock are received in the distribution in respect of a particular block of SEACOR common shares, provided that such designation is consistent with the terms of the distribution. SEACOR shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of these rules to their particular circumstances.
U.S. Treasury regulations also require each SEACOR shareholder who receives our common stock in the distribution to attach to the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax return for the year in which the stock is received a detailed statement setting forth certain information relating to the tax-free nature of the distribution. Within a reasonable period of time after the distribution, SEACOR expects to make available to its shareholders information pertaining to compliance with this requirement.
For the reasons discussed above, notwithstanding receipt by SEACOR of the private letter ruling and/or opinion of tax counsel, the IRS could assert successfully that the distribution was taxable. In that event the above consequences would not apply and both SEACOR and holders of SEACOR common shares who received shares of our common stock in the distribution could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability. In general, if the distribution were to fail to qualify under Section 355 of the Code, then:
| |
• | SEACOR would recognize gain in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of our common stock on the distribution date to SEACOR shareholders over SEACOR’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock; |
| |
• | a SEACOR shareholder who received our common stock in the distribution would be treated as having received a taxable distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of such stock on the distribution date. That distribution would be taxable to the shareholder as a dividend to the extent of SEACOR’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Any amount that exceeded SEACOR’s earnings and profits would be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the SEACOR shareholder’s tax basis in its SEACOR common shares (which amounts would reduce such shareholder’s tax basis in its SEACOR common shares), with any remaining amounts being taxed as capital gain; |
| |
• | certain shareholders would be subject to additional special rules governing taxable distributions, such as those that relate to the dividends-received deduction and extraordinary dividends; and |
| |
• | a SEACOR shareholder’s aggregate tax basis in our common stock received in the distribution generally would equal the fair market value of the common stock on the distribution date, and the holding period for that stock would begin the day after the distribution date. The holding period for the shareholder’s SEACOR common shares would not be affected by the fact that the distribution was taxable. |
Even if the distribution otherwise qualifies as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Code, it could be taxable to SEACOR (but not SEACOR’s shareholders) under Section 355(e) of the Code if the distribution were later determined to be part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, stock representing a 50% or greater interest by vote or value, in SEACOR or us. For this purpose, any acquisitions of SEACOR common shares or our common stock within the period beginning two years before the distribution and ending two years after the distribution are presumed to be part of such a plan, although SEACOR or we may be able to rebut that presumption.
In connection with the distribution, we and SEACOR will enter into a Tax Matters Agreement pursuant to which we will agree to be responsible for certain tax liabilities and obligations following the distribution. For a description of the Tax Matters Agreement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements between SEACOR and Era Group Relating to the Separation—Tax Matters Agreement.”
The foregoing is a summary of material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the separation under current law and particular circumstances. The foregoing does not purport to address all U.S. federal income tax consequences or tax consequences that may arise under the tax laws of other jurisdictions or that may apply to particular categories of shareholders. Each SEACOR shareholder should consult its own tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences of the distribution to such shareholder, including
the application of U.S. federal, state or local and foreign tax laws, and the effect of possible changes in tax laws that may affect the tax consequences described above.
Regulatory Matters Related to the Separation
Era Group is required to file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form 10 together with certain exhibits thereto, including the final version of this Information Statement to be delivered to SEACOR stockholders holding shares of SEACOR common stock on the record date, in order to register Era Group’s common stock under the Exchange Act.
In addition to the foregoing federal securities law requirements, Era Group may be required to undertake certain registrations required under U.S. state securities or blue sky laws in connection with the separation.
Apart from the matters described above, SEACOR is not aware of any other material state or federal regulatory requirements or approvals that must be complied with or obtained in connection with the separation.
Treatment of SEACOR Stock Awards
Treatment of SEACOR Restricted Stock Awards
In connection with the spin-off, except with respect to SEACOR restricted stock awards granted to our CEO, Mr. Gustafson, and our CFO, Mr. Bradshaw, in December 2012, outstanding restricted stock awards of SEACOR common stock held by our employees and employees of SEACOR that were granted under SEACOR’s equity incentive plans will generally be treated the same as other shares of SEACOR’s common stock in the spin-off. Holders of these SEACOR restricted stock awards will be entitled to receive one fully vested share of our common stock for each SEACOR restricted stock award held by such employee. All other terms of these SEACOR restricted stock awards will remain the same, including continued vesting pursuant to the terms of the current awards. In connection with the spin-off, due to the size of the grants and the proximity of the grants to the anticipated distribution date, SEACOR restricted stock awards granted to Messrs. Gustafson and Bradshaw in December 2012 will be converted into restricted stock awards for our common stock. All other terms of these awards, including vesting schedule, will remain the same.
Treatment of SEACOR Stock Options
In connection with the spin-off, outstanding stock options to purchase shares of SEACOR common stock granted to employees and directors of SEACOR under SEACOR’s equity incentive plans will be adjusted to reflect the change in value in SEACOR’s common stock following the spin-off and to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options, by changing the exercise price and number of shares of SEACOR common stock subject to the stock options.
At the time of the spin-off, the number of shares of SEACOR common stock subject to each such stock option granted to employees and directors of SEACOR will be equal to the number of shares of SEACOR common stock subject to such option immediately prior to the spin-off, multiplied by the “Adjustment Ratio,” rounded down to the nearest whole share. The numerator of the Adjustment Ratio is equal to the published closing “regular way” trading price of a share of SEACOR common stock on the NYSE on the distribution date, and the denominator of the Adjustment Ratio is equal to the published closing “ex-distribution” trading price of a share of SEACOR common stock on the NYSE on the distribution date. The exercise price of each stock option will also be adjusted to reflect the change in value as a result of the spin-off. All other terms of the options will remain the same including continued vesting pursuant to the current vesting schedule of the awards
Era Group employees and directors of SEACOR that will join our board and resign from SEACOR’s board after the spin-off will have their outstanding stock options to purchase shares of SEACOR common stock converted into stock options to purchase shares of our common stock. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options to purchase our common stock issued to each of our employees in connection with the distribution will be equal to the aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options to purchase SEACOR common stock held by such employee immediately prior to the distribution. For purposes of this adjustment, the value of our common stock will be deemed equal to the difference between the “regular way” and “ex-distribution” trading prices of the SEACOR common stock immediately prior to the distribution. All other terms of the options will remain the same, including continued vesting based on the schedule applicable to the related SEACOR option.
Solvency Opinion
SEACOR’s board of directors has engaged Duff & Phelps, LLC, a nationally recognized, independent financial advisory firm, to deliver an opinion to SEACOR and its board of directors that SEACOR and Era Group will each be solvent and adequately capitalized immediately after the separation. SEACOR expects that the opinion will be provided shortly prior to the declaration of the spin-off dividend.
Reason for Furnishing this Information Statement
This Information Statement is being furnished solely to provide information to SEACOR stockholders who will receive shares of Era Group common stock in the distribution. It is not to be construed as an inducement or encouragement to buy or sell any of our securities or any securities of SEACOR, nor is it to be construed as a solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed distribution or any other matter. We believe that the information contained in this Information Statement is accurate as of the date set forth on the cover. Changes to the information contained in this Information Statement may occur after that date, and neither we nor SEACOR undertakes any obligation to update the information except in the normal course of our respective public disclosure obligations and practices.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to reduce debt and fund the development and growth of our business. Our Revolving Credit Facility limits our ability to pay dividends. Future agreements we may enter into, including with respect to any future debt we may incur, may also further limit or restrict our ability to pay dividends. For a discussion of the limitations in our Revolving Credit Facility, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility.”
Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will take into account:
| |
• | restrictions in our Revolving Credit Facility and other debt instruments of ours outstanding at that time; |
| |
• | general economic and business conditions; |
| |
• | our financial condition and results of operations; |
| |
• | our capital requirements and the capital requirements of our subsidiaries; |
| |
• | the ability of our operating subsidiaries to pay dividends and make distributions to us; and |
| |
• | such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant. |
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization as of September 30, 2012:
| |
• | on a pro forma basis to give effect to the separation and related transactions, including the Series B Exchange and issuance of the Senior Notes, prepared based on the assumptions and adjustments set forth in the “Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data.” |
This table should be read in conjunction with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | Actual | | Pro Forma |
| | (in thousands, except share data) |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | | $ | 9,232 |
| | $ | 10,854 |
|
Debt: | | | | |
Revolving Credit Facility(1) (2) | | $ | 190,000 |
| | $ | 50,000 |
|
Promissory Notes | | 33,795 |
| | 33,795 |
|
Senior Notes(3) | | — |
| | 196,622 |
|
Total debt | | 223,795 |
| | 280,417 |
|
Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized on an actual basis: | | | | |
Series A preferred stock, at redemption value; 1,400,000 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis; 0 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis | | 142,097 |
| | — |
|
Series B preferred stock, at redemption value; 1,000,000 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis; 0 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis(2) | | 100,000 |
| | — |
|
Total preferred stock | | 242,097 |
| | — |
|
Stockholder Equity: | | | | |
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized on an actual basis; 0 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis; 0 shares authorized, issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis | | — |
| | — |
|
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized on an actual basis; 24,500,000 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis; 0 shares authorized, issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis | | 245 |
| | — |
|
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 0 shares authorized, issued and outstanding on an actual basis; 60,000,000 shares authorized and 20,853,716 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis | | — |
| | 209 |
|
Additional paid-in capital | | 280,973 |
| | 423,106 |
|
Accumulated deficit | | (7,596 | ) | | (7,596 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | (74 | ) | | (74 | ) |
Stockholder equity attributable to Era Group Inc. stockholders | | 273,548 |
| | 415,645 |
|
Total capitalization | | $ | 739,440 |
| | $ | 696,062 |
|
_______________________
| |
(1) | On a pro forma basis, we have the ability to borrow up to $52.2 million under our Revolving Credit Facility, after taking into account the financial ratios we are required to maintain under the facility. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Overview.” |
| |
(2) | On December 18, 2012, we entered into the Series B Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement with SEACOR pursuant to which SEACOR transferred to us 500,000 shares of Series B preferred stock ($50.0 million in liquidation value) that it held in partial satisfaction for the benefit that SEACOR (and other SEACOR U.S. federal consolidated group members) expects to receive by applying U.S. federal net operating tax losses generated by us in 2012 against SEACOR group taxable income, currently estimated at approximately $50.0 million. We repurchased for $50.0 million the remainder of the outstanding Series B preferred stock. Any adjustments will generally be cash-settled pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement upon the completion of SEACOR’s 2012 financial statements, and again to the extent necessary upon the filing of SEACOR’s 2012 federal consolidated income tax return. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions-Agreements between SEACOR and Era Group Relating to the Separation -Series B Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement.” |
| |
(3) | The Senior Notes have a face amount of $200.0 million, but were offered at a price of 98.311% of their face amount, resulting in a discount of $3,378,000.00. |
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth the selected historical consolidated financial data as of and for the periods indicated. We derived the selected historical consolidated financial data presented below as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Information Statement. We derived the selected historical consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this Information Statement. We derived the selected historical consolidated financial data presented below as of September 30, 2012 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 from our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Information Statement. Results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the full year or any future periods.
Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. You should read the information set forth below in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Information Statement.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | | For the Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2007 |
| | (in thousands, except share data) |
Statement of Operations Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Revenues | | $ | 202,026 |
| | $ | 196,452 |
| | $ | 258,148 |
| | $ | 235,366 |
| | $ | 235,667 |
| | $ | 248,627 |
| | $ | 215,039 |
|
Costs and Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating | | 124,913 |
| | 121,623 |
| | 162,707 |
| | 147,233 |
| | 147,955 |
| | 181,490 |
| | 157,241 |
|
Administrative and general | | 27,210 |
| | 20,090 |
| | 31,893 |
| | 25,798 |
| | 21,396 |
| | 20,130 |
| | 18,865 |
|
Depreciation | | 31,031 |
| | 33,402 |
| | 42,612 |
| | 43,351 |
| | 37,358 |
| | 36,411 |
| | 27,527 |
|
| | 183,154 |
| | 175,115 |
| | 237,212 |
| | 216,382 |
| | 206,709 |
| | 238,031 |
| | 203,633 |
|
Gains on Asset Dispositions and Impairments, Net | | 3,455 |
| | 13,260 |
| | 15,172 |
| | 764 |
| | 316 |
| | 4,883 |
| | 8,063 |
|
Operating Income | | 22,327 |
| | 34,597 |
| | 36,108 |
| | 19,748 |
| | 29,274 |
| | 15,479 |
| | 19,469 |
|
Other Income (Expense): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income | | 765 |
| | 376 |
| | 738 |
| | 109 |
| | 52 |
| | 217 |
| | 626 |
|
Interest expense | | (6,891 | ) | | (847 | ) | | (1,376 | ) | | (94 | ) | | (13 | ) | | (5 | ) | | (1 | ) |
Interest expense on advances from SEACOR | | — |
| | (18,924 | ) | | (23,410 | ) | | (21,437 | ) | | (20,328 | ) | | (12,963 | ) | | (14,438 | ) |
SEACOR management fees | | (1,500 | ) | | (7,476 | ) | | (8,799 | ) | | (4,550 | ) | | (5,481 | ) | | (5,681 | ) | | (4,008 | ) |
Derivative gains (losses), net | | (492 | ) | | (1,308 | ) | | (1,326 | ) | | (118 | ) | | 266 |
| | 274 |
| | (2,695 | ) |
Foreign currency gains (losses), net | | 633 |
| | 596 |
| | 516 |
| | (1,511 | ) | | 1,439 |
| | 271 |
| | 44 |
|
Other, net | | 30 |
| | — |
| | 9 |
| | 50 |
| | — |
| | 38 |
| | 613 |
|
| | (7,455 | ) | | (27,583 | ) | | (33,648 | ) | | (27,551 | ) | | (24,065 | ) | | (17,849 | ) | | (19,859 | ) |
Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Expense (Benefit) and Equity in Earnings (Losses) of 50% or Less Owned Companies | | 14,872 |
| | 7,014 |
| | 2,460 |
| | (7,803 | ) | | 5,209 |
| | (2,370 | ) | | (390 | ) |
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | | 5,212 |
| | 2,666 |
| | 434 |
| | (4,301 | ) | | 2,883 |
| | (344 | ) | | (33 | ) |
Income (Loss) Before Equity in Earnings (Losses) of 50% or Less Owned Companies | | 9,660 |
| | 4,348 |
| | 2,026 |
| | (3,502 | ) | | 2,326 |
| | (2,026 | ) | | (357 | ) |
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of 50% or Less Owned Companies, Net of Tax | | (5,444 | ) | | 1,061 |
| | 82 |
| | (137 | ) | | (487 | ) | | (461 | ) | | (8 | ) |
Net Income (Loss) | | 4,216 |
| | 5,409 |
| | 2,108 |
| | (3,639 | ) | | 1,839 |
| | (2,487 | ) | | (365 | ) |
Accretion of redemption value on Series A Preferred Stock | | 6,334 |
| | — |
| | 210 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Net Income (Loss) attributable to Common Shares | | $ | (2,118 | ) | | $ | 5,409 |
| | $ | 1,898 |
| | $ | (3,639 | ) | | $ | 1,839 |
| | $ | (2,487 | ) | | $ | (365 | ) |
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share | | $ | (0.09 | ) | | $ | 0.99 |
| | $ | 0.18 |
| | $ | (3,639.00 | ) | | $ | 1,839.00 |
| | $ | (2,487.00 | ) | | $ | (365.00 | ) |
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding | | 24,500,000 |
| | 5,475,136 |
| | 10,270,444 |
| | 1,000 |
| | 1,000 |
| | 1,000 |
| | 1,000 |
|
Other Financial Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EBITDA(1) | | $ | 46,585 |
| | $ | 60,872 |
| | $ | 69,202 |
| | $ | 56,833 |
| | $ | 62,369 |
| | $ | 46,331 |
| | $ | 40,942 |
|
Adjusted EBITDAR(1) | | $ | 60,608 |
| | $ | 71,797 |
| | $ | 86,507 |
| | $ | 66,021 |
| | $ | 73,000 |
| | $ | 57,417 |
| | $ | 51,343 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of September 30, 2012 | | As of December 31, |
| | 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2007 |
| (in thousands) |
Balance Sheet Data: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 9,232 |
| | $ | 79,122 |
| | $ | 3,698 |
| | $ | 7,309 |
| | $ | 6,201 |
| | $ | 1,530 |
|
Receivables | 62,244 |
| | 50,084 |
| | 41,157 |
| | 40,211 |
| | 40,894 |
| | 41,258 |
|
Inventories | 26,590 |
| | 24,504 |
| | 23,153 |
| |