ATS Announces Normal Course Issuer Bid

CAMBRIDGE, ON, Dec. 13, 2021 /CNW/ - ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. (TSX: ATA) ("ATS" or the "Company") today announced that the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") has accepted the Company's notice of intention to make a normal course issuer bid ("NCIB").

As of December 1, 2021, ATS had a total of 92,253,624 common shares issued and outstanding. Under the NCIB, ATS will have the ability to purchase for cancellation up to a maximum of 7,383,567 common shares, representing approximately 10% of the public float of 73,835,672 common shares of the Company that were issued and outstanding as of December 1, 2021.

Purchases under the NCIB will be made through the facilities of the TSX and/or alternative Canadian trading systems in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, during the twelve-month period commencing on December 15, 2021 and ending on or before December 14, 2022.  The average daily trading volume of the common shares on the TSX for the six calendar months ending November 30, 2021 was 195,742 common shares. On any given trading day, ATS will not purchase more than 25% of such average daily trading volume, representing 48,935 common shares, except where such purchases are made in accordance with available block purchase exemptions. The common shares purchased under this NCIB will be cancelled.

Some purchases under the NCIB may be made pursuant to an automatic purchase plan that has been entered into between ATS and its broker. This plan will enable the purchase of ATS common shares when ATS would not ordinarily be active in the market due to internal trading blackout periods, insider trading rules, or otherwise. In connection with the early renewal of the NCIB prior to the original expiry of the 2020 NCIB (as defined below), the Company has terminated the previous automatic purchase plan in respect of the 2020 NCIB. 

ATS believes that there are times when the market price of its common shares may not reflect their underlying value and that the purchase of shares by ATS will both provide liquidity to existing shareholders and benefit remaining shareholders. The NCIB is viewed by ATS management as one component of an overall capital structure strategy and complementary to its acquisition growth plans.

The NCIB follows the Company's normal course issuer bid for the period ended December 10, 2021 (the "2020 NCIB"). Under the 2020 NCIB, the Company had obtained approval to purchase up to 7,351,834 common shares. The Company's 2020 NCIB began on December 23, 2020 and ended on December 10, 2021. Under the 2020 NCIB, the Company did not repurchase any common shares.

About ATS
ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies. ATS uses its extensive knowledge base and global capabilities in custom automation, repeat automation, automation products and value-added services, including pre-automation and after-sales services, to address the sophisticated manufacturing automation systems and service needs of multinational customers in markets such as life sciences, food & beverage, transportation, consumer products, and energy. Founded in 1978, ATS employs over 5,000 people at 28 manufacturing facilities and over 50 offices in North America, Europe, Southeast Asia and China. The Company's shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ATA. Visit the Company's website at www.atsautomation.com.

Forward-looking Statements
Certain information contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking information under applicable securities laws, including statements related to ATS' intentions with respect to the NCIB and purchases thereunder and the effects of repurchases under the bid. Forward-looking statements, by their very nature, involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on several assumptions, both general and specific. Much of this information can be identified by looking for words such as "believe", "expects", "expected", "will", "intends", "projects", "anticipates", "estimates", "continues" or similar words. Purchases made under the NCIB are not guaranteed and may be suspended at the discretion of ATS' Board of Directors. Forward-looking statements are based on current information and expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and are subject to change. ATS assumes no obligation to revise or update forward looking statements to reflect new circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.

Shereen Zahawi, Director Investor Relations, [phone], [email protected]