HOUSTON and NEW YORK, May 10, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IFM Investors and Buckeye Partners, L.P. (NYSE: BPL) today announced a definitive agreement under which the IFM Global Infrastructure Fund will acquire all of the outstanding public common units of Buckeye for $41.50 per common unit. The all-cash transaction is valued at $10.3 billion enterprise value and $6.5 billion equity value. The acquisition price represents a 27.5% premium to Buckeye’s closing unit price on May 9, 2019 and a 31.9% premium to Buckeye’s volume-weighted average unit price since November 1, 2018, which is the last trading day prior to Buckeye’s announcement of certain strategic actions. Buckeye’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the proposed transaction with IFM. The closing of the merger will be subject to approval of a majority of the Buckeye unitholders, certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Buckeye owns and operates one of the largest diversified networks of integrated midstream assets, including 6,000 miles of pipeline with over 100 delivery locations and 115 liquid petroleum products terminals with aggregate tank capacity of over 118 million barrels. Its network of marine terminals is located primarily in the East Coast and Gulf Coast regions of the United States, as well as in the Caribbean.
IFM is a pioneer and leader in infrastructure investing on behalf of institutional investors globally, with a 23-year track record of success. IFM has $90 billion of assets under management, including $39.1 billion in infrastructure, which it manages on behalf of more than 370 institutional investors, and takes a long-term approach to investing, with no pre-determined time divestiture horizon. IFM targets core infrastructure in developed markets and currently has interests in 32 investments across North America, Australia and Europe, including several midstream assets.
“This acquisition is aligned with IFM’s focus on investing in high quality, essential infrastructure assets that underpin the economies in which they operate,” said Julio Garcia, Head of Infrastructure, North America of IFM.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to bring the Buckeye business and management team under the IFM umbrella,” said Jamie Cemm, Executive Director of IFM. “The proposed acquisition of Buckeye is a complementary addition to IFM’s substantial investments in energy infrastructure across North America and globally. We look forward to supporting the continuing growth of the business.”
“Buckeye’s Board of Directors recently reviewed strategic options for the business and determined that IFM’s proposal to acquire Buckeye is in the best interest of Buckeye,” said Clark C. Smith, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buckeye. “The proposed transaction will provide immediate and enhanced value for our unitholders with an attractive premium that accelerates long-term returns and represents the underlying value of our business. In addition, the proposed transaction will provide Buckeye with superior access to capital to execute on its long-term business strategy. We look forward to this next chapter in Buckeye’s 133-year story.”
About Buckeye Partners, L.P.
Buckeye Partners, L.P. (NYSE: BPL) is a publicly traded master limited partnership which owns and operates a diversified global network of integrated assets providing midstream logistic solutions, primarily consisting of the transportation, storage, processing and marketing of liquid petroleum products. Buckeye is one of the largest independent liquid petroleum products pipeline operators in the United States in terms of volumes delivered, with approximately 6,000 miles of pipeline. Buckeye also uses its service expertise to operate and/or maintain third-party pipelines and terminals and perform certain engineering and construction services for its customers. Buckeye’s global terminal network comprises more than 115 liquid petroleum products terminals with aggregate tank capacity of over 118 million barrels across our portfolio of pipelines, inland terminals and marine terminals located primarily in the East Coast, Midwest and Gulf Coast regions of the United States as well as in the Caribbean. Buckeye’s global network of marine terminals enables it to facilitate global flows of crude oil and refined petroleum products, offering its customers connectivity between supply areas and market centers through some of the world’s most important bulk storage and blending hubs. Buckeye’s flagship marine terminal in The Bahamas, Buckeye Bahamas Hub, is one of the largest marine crude oil and refined petroleum products storage facilities in the world and provides an array of logistics and blending services for the global flow of petroleum products. Buckeye’s Gulf Coast regional hub, Buckeye Texas Partners, offers world-class marine terminalling, storage and processing capabilities. Buckeye is also a wholesale distributor of refined petroleum products in certain areas served by its pipelines and terminals. More information concerning Buckeye can be found at www.buckeye.com.
About IFM Investors
IFM Investors is a global institutional funds manager with US$90 billion under its management as of 31 March 2019. Established more than 20 years ago and owned by 27 Australian pension funds, IFM Investors’ interests are deeply aligned with those of its investors. Investment teams in Australia, Europe, North America and Asia manage institutional strategies across debt investments, infrastructure, listed equities and private equity. IFM Investors has offices in nine cities: Melbourne, Sydney, London, New York, Berlin, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul and Zurich. For more information visit: www.ifminvestors.com.
