Deep Down to acquire Flotation Technologies
  by: OilOnline
  Friday, April 18, 2008

Deep Down, Inc. has executed a Stock Purchase Agreement to purchase all of the outstanding capital stock of Flotation Technologies, Inc.

Headquartered in Biddeford, Maine, Flotation Technologies is a recognized leader in the design and manufacture of deepwater buoyancy systems, specializing in Flotec(TM) syntactic foam and polyurethane elastomer products. With extensive engineering, design, fabrication, and analysis capabilities, Flotation Technologies provides quick turnaround, cost-effective buoyancy and elastomer products to the worldwide oceanographic, offshore energy, seismic, and military markets. Within the past few years, Flotation Technologies has received its approved vendor status for the supply of engineered products such as distributed buoyancy, installation buoyancy and bend limiting products from numerous customers including Aker Kvaerner, Cooper Cameron, Chevron, Devon Energy, Exxon Mobil, Oceaneering Multiflex, Petrobras, Shell, Statoil, Technip, and Wellstream International.

Unaudited financial information provided by the management of Flotation Technologies indicates that revenue for the latest twelve months ending March 31, 2008, was approximately $17.27 million, with pretax income of $4.84 million, and EBITDA of $5.26 million, adjusted for certain nonrecurring expenses and a gain on sale of real estate assets. Financial results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, will be presented when audits are finalized.

"The total purchase price for the acquisition is expected to be approximately $23.3 million. Flotation Technologies' revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007, was approximately double the revenue realized in the prior year. According to Quest Subsea Forecast (October 2007), capital expenditures in the offshore energy industry are expected to experience significant growth for the next several years. Our strategy is to participate in that growth. Buoyancy will become more important as the offshore energy industry continues its trend toward exploration and development activities in ultra deep waters. This acquisition will give Deep Down a major product line, position the Company to become a leader in flotation systems, and increase our presence in deepwater operations," commented Robert E. Chamberlain, Jr., Deep Down's chairman and chief acquisition officer.

Ronald E. Smith, Deep Down's president and chief executive officer commented, "We are very excited about this acquisition. Our strategy is to work closely with management to expand their existing business and explore new areas of opportunity. Our view of the future of subsea equipment involves structural integration of buoyancy into various components of the undersea distribution system. Due to our prominence in installation activities of subsea equipment throughout the world, our customers are increasingly asking us to supply the equipment and systems we install. Where appropriate, we intend to manufacture high-demand technology-advantaged products in high-growth markets. Our strategy is to become a major player in many facets of the offshore deepwater industry."

Deep Down's closing of the purchase of Flotation Technologies remains subject to several conditions, including Deep Down's obtaining financing for the payment of the purchase price.

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