HickoryTech (ticker: HTCO, exchange: NASDAQ Global Market (.O))
News Release -
4-May-2009
HickoryTech Announces Acquisition of CP TelecomMinnesota facilities-based telecom provider will broaden Company's SMB focus
MANKATO, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May. 4, 2009--
HickoryTech Corporation (Nasdaq: HTCO) announced today that it has
reached an agreement to acquire Computer Pro, Inc., dba CP Telecom, a
privately held facilities-based telecom provider, serving Minneapolis,
St. Paul and northern Minnesota. The purchase price is approximately $7
million, subject to closing adjustments. The acquisition is anticipated
to be funded primarily with cash. The closing of the transaction is
subject to regulatory approvals, and is expected in the third quarter
2009.
"This acquisition fits HickoryTech's strategic direction as it enhances
our focus on the small and medium sized business (SMB) customer, expands
our business product portfolio, and further develops our agent sales
channel program," said John Finke, HickoryTech president and chief
executive officer. "CP Telecom has an experienced management team, a
solid customer base, robust product portfolio and expertise in
developing and implementing new products, such as mid-band Ethernet for
the SMB customer. We anticipate important cost and revenue synergies as
we integrate CP Telecom into our current lines of business."
With operations in Minneapolis and Duluth, Minn., CP Telecom provides
voice, data and Internet services. CP Telecom's 2008 unaudited revenue
totaled approximately $10 million. CP Telecom operates in 23 colocations
throughout Minnesota, 10 of which HickoryTech does not have a presence
in today and five that bring enhanced functionality to HickoryTech's
product portfolio. CP Telecom's assets include long-term rights on a
fiber network encompassing Minneapolis and St. Paul as well as soft
switching technology.
About HickoryTech HickoryTech Corporation (NASDAQ: HTCO),
headquartered in Mankato, Minn., offers integrated communication
solutions to business and residential customers over a regional fiber
network. The company, founded in 1898, has approximately 430 employees.
The Telecom Sector, with facilities-based operations in Minnesota and
Iowa, offers local voice, long distance, high-speed Internet, Digital
TV, and IP networking services to residential and business customers. In
addition, the Telecom Sector develops telecom and carrier access billing
solutions and customer management systems. The Enventis Sector provides
IP-based voice, data and network solutions to businesses across a
five-state region. For more information, visit www.hickorytech.com.
Forward looking statement Certain statements included in
this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking
statements." Such forward-looking statements are based on current
expectations, estimates and projections about the industry in which
HickoryTech operates and management's beliefs and assumptions. The
forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties. These
statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain
risks, uncertainties and probabilities. Therefore, actual outcomes and
results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in
such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the
date on which they were made. HickoryTech undertakes no obligation to
update any of its forward-looking statements, except as required by
federal securities laws.
Source: HickoryTech Corporation
HickoryTech Corporation David Christensen, CFO, 507-387-3355 or Investor
Relations: Jennifer Spaude, 507-386-3765
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