TORONTO, May 12, 2017 /CNW/ – Acasta Enterprises Inc. (TSX: AEF.B and AEF.WT) (“Acasta” or the “Company”) today announced that Stellwagen Group, Acasta’s leading commercial aviation finance advisory and asset management business has entered into an agreement to acquire ECN Capital’s Commercial Aviation advisory and asset management business (“ECN Commercial Aviation”). ECN Aviation arranges, co-invests and manages a portfolio of commercial aviation assets on behalf of institutional investors. It comprises a highly skilled US based team and manages C$1.7 billion of aircraft assets.

“The acquisition of ECN Commercial Aviation further enhances Acasta’s specialized aviation asset management business,” said Anthony Melman, Acasta’s Chairman and CEO. “Stellwagen will capitalize on ECN’s successful platform as a vertically integrated provider of aviation advisory services. ECN Commercial Aviation is highly complementary with the core advisory and aircraft management businesses of Stellwagen, which provide holistic aircraft solutions to operators and institutional investors. This transaction will enable us to amplify Stellwagen’s reach, standing and value in the global aviation industry, and enhance and broaden our relationship with institutional investors.”

Highlights of the ECN Commercial Aviation acquisition are as follows:

It will provide Stellwagen with an established asset management platform, complementary expertise, and increased distribution capabilities
Acquisition includes ECN Commercial Aviation’s highly skilled team based out of Stamford, Connecticut, which has significant experience and relationships in the aviation industry
C$1.7 billion in assets under management, with a portfolio of 45 commercial passenger aircraft on lease to 30 global airlines
Transaction is expected to create significant strategic advantages and synergies when combined with Stellwagen, including internalization of aircraft servicing contracts and cross-sharing of existing institutional relationships
The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to 2017 earnings
The purchase price for ECN Commercial Aviation is US $22.5 million payable by the issuance of Class B Shares of Acasta at $10 per share with a one year lock-up, subject to a top-up of up to 10% if Acasta’s share price is less than $10 after the lock-up expires.

“We are acquiring and partnering with an experienced management team and a highly successful financing platform,” said Douglas Brennan, founder and CEO of Stellwagen. “This acquisition enables us to leverage ECN Commercial Aviation’s established fund platform, management team, and institutional relationships, significantly accelerating our initial goal of US$5 billion of assets under management.”