Filed by The GEO Group, Inc.
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
Commission File No.: 001-14260
Subject Company: Cornell Companies, Inc.
Commission File No.: 001-14472
CR-10-28
THE GEO GROUP CLOSES $730 MILLION
MERGER WITH CORNELL COMPANIES
Boca Raton, Fla. August 12, 2010 The GEO Group (NYSE: GEO) (GEO) a private provider of
correctional, detention, and residential treatment services to federal, state and local government
agencies around the globe announced today the successful closing of its previously announced merger
with Cornell Companies, Inc. (NYSE:CRN) (Cornell), a private provider of corrections, treatment
and educational services outsourced by federal, state and local governmental agencies. GEO Group
has acquired Cornell for stock and cash at an estimated enterprise value of $730 million, including
the assumption of approximately $290 million in Cornell debt, excluding cash.
In connection with the merger, GEO will issue approximately 15.8 million shares in exchange for 80%
of the outstanding shares of Cornell common stock. The remaining 20% of the outstanding shares of
Cornell common stock will receive cash consideration totaling approximately $85.0 million.
Following the merger, GEO will have approximately 65.0 million diluted shares outstanding.
George C. Zoley, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GEO, said This strategic merger marks an
important milestone for GEO and better positions the Company to meet the increasing demand for
correctional, detention and residential treatment facilities and services. This transformational
event creates a stronger company with revenues of approximately $1.5 billion, enhanced scale,
diversification, and complementary service offerings.
GEOs Expanded Operations
Following the merger, GEO now manages and/or owns 119 correctional, detention and residential
treatment facilities with a total design capacity of approximately 81,000 beds and eight
non-residential service centers with a total service capacity of approximately 1,400.
Transaction Financing
As previously announced, GEO has closed on a new $750.0 million Senior Credit Facility comprised of
a five-year, $150.0 million Term Loan A initially bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.50%; a six-year,
$200.0 million Term Loan B initially bearing interest at LIBOR plus 3.25% with a LIBOR floor of
1.50%; and a five-year $400.0 million Revolving Credit Facility (the Revolver) initially bearing
interest at LIBOR plus 2.50%.
GEOs new Senior Credit Facility was used to repay borrowings outstanding under GEOs previous
Credit Facility and Term Loan B; fund the cash consideration and transaction-related expenses in
connection with the Cornell merger; and repay Cornells current senior debt of approximately $180
million. Following the closing of the Cornell merger, GEOs new Term Loan A and Term Loan B are
fully funded, and GEO expects to have approximately $220.0 million in borrowings outstanding,
approximately $50.0 million in letters of credit, and between $120.0 million and $130.0 million in
available borrowing capacity under the Revolver.
Financial Impact
The merger is expected to increase GEOs total annual revenues by approximately $400 million to
approximately $1.5 billion. The merger is also expected to substantially increase GEOs EBITDA, net
income, and adjusted funds from operations (formerly referred to as adjusted free cash flow) on a
fully annualized basis. GEO reiterated today its previously guided annual cost synergies of $12.0
million-$15.0 million. As previously disclosed, GEO expects the merger to have a neutral impact on
its pro forma 2010 earnings per share excluding one-time transaction-related expenses and
transitional costs and to become accretive to pro forma earnings in 2011.
Financial and Legal Advisors
BofA Merrill Lynch and Barclays Capital acted as GEOs joint financial advisors. Akerman Senterfitt
served as GEOs legal advisor. Moelis & Company acted as Cornells exclusive financial advisor.
Hogan Lovells US LLP served as Cornells legal advisor.
About The GEO Group, Inc.
The GEO Group, Inc. is a world leader in the delivery of correctional, detention, and residential
treatment services to federal, state, and local government agencies around the globe. GEO offers a
turnkey approach that includes design, construction, financing, and operations. GEO represents
government clients in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. GEOs
worldwide operations include the management and/or ownership of 119 correctional, detention and
residential treatment facilities with a total design capacity of approximately 81,000 beds,
including projects under development as well as eight non-residential service centers with a total
service capacity of approximately 1,400.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and future
performance of GEO that involve risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual
results, including statements regarding estimated earnings, revenues and costs and our ability to
maintain growth and strengthen contract relationships. Factors that could cause actual results to
vary from current expectations and forward-looking statements contained in this press release
include, but are not limited to: (1) the risk that the businesses will not be integrated
successfully or that such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than
expected; (2) the risk that the expected increased revenues, EBITDA, net income and funds from
operations may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; (3) the risk that
the cost synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize
than expected; (4) any difficulties encountered in maintaining relationships with customers,
employees or suppliers as a result of the transaction; (5) GEOs ability to successfully pursue
further growth and continue to enhance shareholder value; (6) GEOs ability to access the capital
markets in the future on satisfactory terms or at all; (7) risks associated with GEOs ability to
control operating costs associated with contract start-ups; (8) GEOs ability to timely open
facilities as planned, profitably manage such facilities and successfully integrate such facilities
into GEOs operations without substantial costs; (9) GEOs ability to win management contracts for
which it has submitted proposals and to retain existing management contracts; (10) GEOs ability to
obtain future financing on acceptable terms; (11) GEOs ability to sustain company-wide occupancy
rates at its facilities; and (12) other factors contained in GEOs Securities and Exchange
Commission filings, including the forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K reports.
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