Converge Technology Solutions Corp. Acquires Datatrend Technologies, Inc. and Announces Organizational Changes

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

Datatrend Technologies, Inc. is a leading technology solution provider headquartered in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, focused on Next Gen Data Center, Hybrid Cloud, Infrastructure, Multi-Site IT Deployments, and ISV/OEM solutions.

TORONTO, Oct. 3, 2019 /CNW/ - Converge Technology Solutions Corp. ("Converge" or "the Company") (TSXV:CTS)  (FSE:0ZB) (OTCQX:CTSDF) announced today that it has acquired Datatrend Technologies, Inc. ("Datatrend"), a leading technology solutions provider headquartered in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.  Datatrend brings its customers and highly skilled teams made up of experienced technology experts, business consultants, and industry thought leaders to Converge's fast growing platform.

The acquisition was completed pursuant to an equity purchase agreement among Converge Acquisition, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Converge, as purchaser, and certain individual sellers (the "Datatrend Agreement").  Datatrend generated revenues of approximately US$84.3 million and Adjusted EBITDA of approximately US$3.1 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018.  Under the Datatrend Agreement, purchase consideration consisted of (i) US$15.0 million in cash on the closing date; and (ii) a promissory note in the amount of US$2.5 million in favor of the sellers.  In addition, Datatrend had  estimated net working capital at closing of approximately US$5.6 million, of which approximately $3.6 million will be paid to the sellers in 12 months with the balance of US$2 million remaining in the company.  The cash portion of the purchase price was financed by Converge's credit facilities.

Charlie Cox, CEO of Datatrend, will continue to lead the business alongside the existing Datatrend management team. Working with Charlie and his team, Converge will look to introduce its Software Enabled Hybrid IT solutions including identity-based enterprise blockchain, cognitive, cybersecurity, resiliency managed services and multi-cloud solutions to existing and new Datatrend customers while leveraging the Datatrend Hybrid IT solutions including Next Gen data center, Hybrid Cloud, infrastructure, multi-site IT Deployments and ISV/OEM solutions to Converge clients across North America.

For over 32 years, Datatrend has delivered technology infrastructure solutions from the data center to the edge of the network in order to help businesses with their digital transformation journey and drive impactful business results. Datatrend provides consulting, planning, designing, implementation, integration, project management and staffing for next generation data centers, multi-cloud environment, cabling and wireless solutions for multi-site rollouts and the Internet of Things, as well as for ISV's, OEM's and service providers.

"Datatrend has successfully built a reputation over the years as a leader in delivering technology infrastructure solutions from the data center to the edge of the network, while developing long-lasting personal relationships with our client base," said Charlie Cox, President and CEO of Datatrend. "We look forward to working with Converge to help develop an organization that can better serve our customers across North America and are confident that this new business venture will be beneficial to all stakeholders involved."

"We are thrilled that Datatrend is joining the Converge family of companies," said Shaun Maine, CEO of Converge. "Their reputable team supports businesses across the nation with notable experience advancing large enterprise financial services, travel, and hospitality customers through their enterprise class configuration centers, project management skills and certifications. Datatrend strengthens our central geographical coverage, while its extensive experience with enterprise clients will prove valuable across the organization."

Additionally, the Company is pleased to announce the following organizational changes as the Company plans for its Phase 3 consolidation of back-office operations and standardization of tools and processes.   Cory Reid will lead this initiative as Chief Operating Officer ("COO") and oversee all of Finance, Operations, and HR, while concurrently leading integration initiatives for new acquisitions. Don Cuthbertson, co-founder of Converge, will continue to set technical direction for the Company and its cloud team as Chief Technology Officer ("CTO").  Don will also continue in his role as President of Canada while being at the forefront of new business models presented by Converge's enterprise blockchain initiatives around identity.

Datatrend marks the tenth transaction completed by Converge since October 2017.  Converge's family of companies also includes Corus Group, LLC; Northern Micro, Inc.; 10084182 Canada Inc. operating as Becker-Carroll; Key Information Systems, Inc.; BlueChip Tek, Inc.; Lighthouse Computer Systems, Inc.; Software Information Systems LLC; Nordisk Systems, Inc.; and Essex Technology Group, Inc.

About Converge
Converge Technology Solutions Corp. combines innovation accelerators and foundational infrastructure solutions to deliver best-of-breed solutions and services to customers. The Company is building a platform of regionally-focused Hybrid IT solutions providers to enhance their ability to provide multi-cloud solutions, blockchain, resiliency, and managed services, enabling Converge to address the business and IT issues that public and private-sector organizations face today. For more information, visit http://www.convergetp.com.

About Datatrend Technologies, Inc.
As a solutions integrator, Datatrend delivers IT solutions to help organizations leverage technology to drive impactful business outcomes.  Datatrend does this by delivering technology infrastructure solutions from the data center to the edge of the network.  By providing planning, design, implementation, integration and project management for next generation data centers, cloud environments, cabling and wireless solutions for multi-site rollouts and the Internet of Things, as well as solutions for ISVs, OEMs and service providers, Datatrend knows how to make IT matter for business.  For more information, visit http://datatrend.com.

Notice to Reader:  Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Forward-Looking Statements

1. Non-IFRS Financial Measures
   
   In this news release, certain non-IFRS measures to evaluate performance are used.  The term "Adjusted EBITDA" does not have any standardized meaning prescribed within IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.  Such measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS such as net income.  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as gross profit less selling, general and administrative expenses, and corresponds to income before income tax, depreciation and amortization, finance expenses, change in fair value of contingent consideration, transaction costs for acquisitions, initial public offering costs and other non-operating expenses.
   
   Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is an important indicator as it excludes certain items that are non-cash expenses, items that cannot be influenced by management in the short term and items that do not impact core operating performance, demonstrating the Company's ability to generate liquidity through operating cash flow to fund working capital needs, service outstanding debt and fund future capital expenditures.  Adjusted EBITDA is used by some investors and analysts for the purposes of valuing an issuer.  The intent of Adjusted EBITDA is to provide additional useful information to investors and analysts and is also used by management as an internal performance measurement.
   
   
2. Forward-Looking Information
   
   This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation regarding Converge and its business. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected" "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts". "estimates", "believes" or intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could, "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Converge assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.  The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Converge Technology Solutions Corp.

Mary Anne Palangio, Chief Financial Officer, Converge Technology Solutions Corp., Email: [email protected], Phone: [phone]; Virtus Advisory Group, Shareholder Inquiries, Email: [email protected], Phone: [phone]

Related Links

https://convergetp.com/