Mullen Group Ltd. To Acquire APPS Transport Group Inc.

OKOTOKS, AB, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - (TSX: MTL)  Mullen Group Ltd. ("Mullen Group", "We", "Our" and/or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a letter of intent ("LOI") to acquire Mississauga based APPS Transport Group Inc. ("APPS") and the businesses: APPS Cartage Inc. and APPS Cargo Terminals Inc.  The LOI contemplates standard due diligence and the execution of a purchase and sale agreement ("PSA"), both of which have been initiated.  The transaction is scheduled to close on June 1, 2021, subject to regulatory approval.

APPS (www.appsexpress.com), a well-established transportation and logistics company founded in 1985, provides less-than-truckload (LTL) along with truckload, intermodal and some warehousing services primarily from their head office in Mississauga, Ontario, with services extending into five locations throughout western Canada. Through a combination of company trucks, independent owner operators, and interline partners, APPS and its dedicated group of 300 plus employees, service the commercial supply; food & beverage; and retail & consumer sectors which supports the business-to-business (B2B) along with the business-to-consumer (B2C) E-Commerce space.    

"I am truly excited this morning.  This announcement is consistent with the strategy we have outlined to our loyal shareholders.  We invest in companies that meet the goal of expanding our business in key markets within Canada.  The other part of our strategy, a trademark of the Mullen Group, is investing in businesses that can operate as standalone entities within our diversified logistics service offerings.  APPS meets both objectives and is precisely the type of opportunity we have patiently waited to acquire.  This is a quality brand named company based in Toronto with an outstanding reputation of providing superior customer service.  No one knows APPS better than Rob McDonald, the founder, which is why I am so pleased he has agreed to continue in his current role and will oversee, grow and manage the business along with his business partners and loyal employees.  Rob and I agreed that there is an excellent business and cultural fit between our respective organizations.  Consumer demand is expected to increase as soon as the Governments reopen the economy.  In addition, we have already seen how the supply chain has been disrupted by online shopping. Massive companies, such as Amazon, are capitalizing on the emergence of E-Commerce, which is rapidly becoming a dominant consumer trend.  We know we must adapt which is why we are joining together.  We will be better positioned, not just to compete with these large disrupters but to service those smaller customers and retailers that need access to both technology solutions and a large terminal network, which is our access point to customers across the Canadian marketplace," commented Mr. Murray K. Mullen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

APPS will operate within Mullen Group's Less-Than-Truckload Segment ("LTL Segment") and it is expected to generate annualized revenue of approximately $90.0 million and OIBDA margins consistent with the LTL Segment.  Mullen Group will be funding the transaction from existing cash and credit lines.

About Mullen Group Ltd.

Mullen Group is one of Canada's largest logistics providers.  Our network of independently operated businesses provide a wide range of service offerings including less-than-truckload, truckload, warehousing, logistics, transload, oversized and specialized hauling transportation.  In addition, we provide a diverse set of specialized services related to the energy, mining, forestry and construction industries in western Canada, including water management, fluid hauling and environmental reclamation.  The corporate office provides the capital and financial expertise, legal support, technology and systems support, shared services and strategic planning to its independent businesses.

Mullen Group is a publicly traded corporation listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MTL". Additional information is available on our website at www.mullen-group.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Contact Information

Mr. Murray K. Mullen - Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
Mr. P. Stephen Clark - Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Richard J. Maloney - Senior Vice President
Ms. Joanna K. Scott - Corporate Secretary & Vice President, Corporate Services

121A - 31 Southridge Drive
Okotoks, Alberta, Canada  T1S 2N3
Telephone:  403-995-5200
Fax:  403-995-5296

Disclaimer

This news release includes certain statements regarding Mullen Group's future plans and operations with respect to the transaction and contains forward-looking statements that we believe allow readers to better understand our business and prospects.  The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends", "strategy" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements.  More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning: the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of APPS to Mullen Group (including its shareholders), including anticipated synergies, anticipated revenues and OIBDA and the ability of Mullen Group and APPS to satisfy the other conditions to, and to complete, the transaction.

With respect to the forward-looking statements and information concerning the anticipated benefits and completion of the proposed transaction, Mullen Group has provided such in reliance on certain assumptions that it believes are reasonable at this time, including assumptions as to the ability of the parties to receive, in a timely manner, the necessary regulatory, governmental and other third party approvals; the ability of the parties to satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions to the closing of the transaction; that Mullen Group will be satisfied with its due diligence review of APPS; that the parties will execute a definitive PSA; and expectations and assumptions concerning, among other things: planned synergies; revenue and OIBDA and potential growth opportunities.  The anticipated dates provided may change for a number of reasons, including unforeseen delays in securing necessary regulatory or other third party approvals in the time assumed or the need for additional time to satisfy the other conditions to the completion of the transaction; and that there are no unforeseen events preventing the performance of contracts, realizing anticipated synergies and benefits or otherwise affecting the anticipated revenues and OIBDA of the acquired business.  Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such forward-looking information and statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.  Our actual results, performance, or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.  We can give no assurance that any of the events anticipated will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits we will derive from them.

The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and Mullen Group disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable Canadian securities laws.  Mullen Group relies on litigation protection for "forward-looking" statements.

SOURCE Mullen Group Ltd.

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