Chicago-based Huron Consulting Group Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Studer Group, a healthcare consulting firm that helps healthcare providers achieve cultural transformation to deliver and sustain exceptional improvement in clinical outcomes and financial results. Together, the combined organization will have more than 1,500 dedicated healthcare professionals working to empower transformation for healthcare providers.The acquisition will combine Huron Healthcare’s performance improvement and clinical transformation capabilities with Studer Group’s Evidence-Based LeadershipSM framework to provide unparalleled leadership and cultural transformation expertise for healthcare provider clients.
Acquisition Details
Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, Huron will purchase Studer Group for $325 million, paid via $323 million in cash and $2 million in Huron common stock. The cash component of the transaction will be financed with cash on hand and borrowings under the Company’s senior secured credit facility. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2014, the combined companies will have pro forma revenues of approximately $904 million and non-GAAP adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”)(1) of approximately $190M. As of September 30, 2014, the Company’s pro forma leverage, as defined in the Company’s senior secured credit facility, would have been 2.4x net debt to last twelve months adjusted EBITDA.
The Company expects the transaction to be accretive to 2015 non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share in a range of $0.47 to $0.52. This non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share estimate cannot be reconciled to GAAP diluted earnings per share because the impact of acquisition related adjustments on earnings, as required by GAAP, cannot be reasonably estimated as the information needed is not currently available.
“Huron and Studer Group share a passion to make a difference. Our offerings are complementary in all areas of client service to meet the needs of leadership in the emerging healthcare environment. In combination, Huron and Studer Group will bring to hospital and healthcare organizations the ‘best of the best’ in performance improvement and cultural transformation to truly hardwire excellence,” said Barry Graham (B.G.) Porter, chief executive officer and president, Studer Group.
Studer Group Background
Studer Group works with hospital executives to achieve, sustain, and accelerate exceptional clinical, operational, and financial results. Based in Pensacola, Florida, Studer Group was founded in 2000 and is the recognized market leader in healthcare cultural transformation. The firm has approximately 235 full-time employees, including more than 70 coaches, with substantial industry experience serving more than 750 partner hospitals. Studer Group partners with clients to establish specific clinical, operational, and financial targets and implements its cultural transformation methodology to help clients meet and exceed those stated targets. To support Studer Group’s methodology and sustain results, it packages proprietary, data-driven technology and leadership development resources, including conferences and publications, to deliver lasting, positive change to its partner organizations.
Studer Group will be included in the Huron Healthcare segment, which currently accounts for more than 50% of Huron’s overall revenue. The transaction is expected to close in February 2015, and is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and other customary closing conditions.
