Veridian Corp. stockholders approved Monday the proposed $1.5 billion cash sale of the company to fellow defense contractor General Dynamics. Veridian stockholders will receive $35 in cash for each outstanding share of Veridian stock.
General Dynamics will also assume Veridian’s $270 million of debt.
The acquisition has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies and has cleared the mandatory waiting period required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. The transaction is expected to close early next week.
Veridian employs more than 7,300 people in 38 states with projected 2003 sales of approximately $1.2 billion and has a current business backlog of $2.6 billion. General Dynamics estimates Veridian revenues of $1.4 billion in 2004. More than 75 percent of Veridian’s employees hold national security clearances.
Veridian’s specialities include network security and enterprise protection; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; knowledge discovery and decision support; information systems development and integration; chemical, biological and nuclear detection; network and enterprise management; and large-scale systems engineering expertise.
“The acquisition by General Dynamics not only provides significant value for our shareholders, but it enables Veridian to become an even more significant force in its markets,” said David F. Langstaff, president and CEO of Veridian, said last month. “We will be able to invest more aggressively in many of the innovative technologies and capabilities for which we are known, provide a stronger future for our employees as well as broader offerings to our customers, and continue to make a difference in areas that matter for our country.”
General Dynamics has approximately 57,000 employees worldwide and estimates 2003 revenues of $15 billion.
Veridian Stockholders Approve Company Sale
