Comverge, Inc., a provider of intelligent energy management solutions for residential and commercial & industrial (C&I) customers, announced that it has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Peak Merger Corp., an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, LLC, a global private investment firm, for $1.75 per share in cash, or approximately $49 million in equity value.

The offer price represents a premium of approximately 18% over Comverge’s average closing price of $1.48 over the last 30 days. The H.I.G. Capital offer is not subject to a financing condition. Affiliates of H.I.G. Capital will provide debt financing to Comverge in the amount of $12 million, which is not contingent on the closing of the acquisition by H.I.G. Capital.

In connection with entering into the definitive agreement, the company also entered into forbearance agreements with its senior lender, Silicon Valley Bank, and its junior lenders, Grace Bay Holdings II, LLC and the purchasers of the $12 million in indebtedness referenced above.

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of an extensive review of financing and strategic alternatives available to Comverge,” said Alec Dreyer, Comverge’s chairman of the Board of Directors. “We are pleased to have found a solution to the company’s immediate need for capital to fund ongoing operations that not only preserves value for stockholders but also provides immediate cash value to stockholders. The transaction addresses the risks associated with the company’s liquidity position, provides for our financial viability going forward and allows Comverge to continue to execute on its business plan with the financial backing of H.I.G. Capital.”

“We are excited to have reached this agreement that will best position Comverge for long-term success, while at the same time providing a return to shareholders and an immediate cash infusion to the company,” said Brian Schwartz, executive managing director, H.I.G. Capital. “We have been impressed with the level of innovation, solutions, customer base, and the market outlook for demand response. Under H.I.G. Capital’s ownership, Comverge will have the necessary capital to focus its efforts on enhancing and broadening its solutions portfolio, which will ultimately enhance the Company’s long-term growth prospects. We look forward to finalizing this transaction and working closely with the company over the coming months to promote Comverge’s continued success.”

Since the fall of 2010, Comverge has actively sought additional capital financing necessary to support the execution of the company’s business plan and has explored a variety of financing alternatives and strategic alternatives. The Board of Directors considered a variety of alternatives, including continuing to operate as a stand-alone company, financing the Company through the issuance of additional equity or debt, selling various company assets and selling the company as a whole.

In connection with today’s announcement, it is expected that H.I.G. Capital will commence a tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Comverge not earlier than 10 business days or later than 20 business days after the date of the definitive agreement.

If the tender offer is completed, H.I.G. Capital will acquire all remaining shares of the Company’s common stock through a second-step merger in which the holders of all shares not tendered in the tender offer and with respect to which appraisal rights are not timely and properly exercised will receive $1.75 in cash for each share of Comverge common stock they own, the same consideration per share as paid in the tender offer.

Previously on abfjournal.com:

SVB Increases Comverge Revolver to $30 Million, Monday, February 08, 2010