North American Construction Group Strengthens its Presence in Western Australia with the Acquisition of Iron Mine Contracting, a Diversified Mining Services Contractor

Core Viewpoint - North American Construction Group Ltd. (NACG) has announced a definitive share purchase agreement to acquire Iron Mine Contracting (IMC) for approximately $115 million, marking a strategic expansion into the Western Australian market and enhancing its service offerings in the mining sector [1][2][6]. Acquisition of Iron Mine Contracting - IMC is a diversified mining services contractor based in Western Australia, providing services such as contract mining, crushing, and civil services across key commodity sectors including gold, iron ore, and lithium [2][21]. - IMC has a strong order book exceeding $1.0 billion, which includes a recently awarded lithium mining contract with a three-year term [3]. Strategic Rationale for the Acquisition - The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive, increasing NACG's earnings per share by approximately 20% in 2026 and expanding its exposure to rare earth and critical minerals in Western Australia from 5% to 15% of total earnings [6][7]. - The total estimated consideration of $115 million represents 2.5 times the expected EBITDA in 2026, calculated before any realized synergies [7]. Financing and Transaction Details - The acquisition will be funded through a combination of senior-secured bank financing (65%) and vendor-provided debt financing (35%) [7]. - The upfront payment of approximately $40 million will be funded by NACG's existing revolving credit facility, with additional secured equipment financing of $35 million being assumed [7]. Business Update on Infrastructure Initiatives - NACG aims to achieve 25% of total combined revenue from infrastructure initiatives by 2028, with ongoing progress reported [10]. - The company executed a binding purchase and sale agreement to sell twenty-six Caterpillar 400-ton haul trucks and purchase eight Komatsu 240-ton haul trucks, optimizing fleet utilization [11]. Financial Outlook for 2026 - The overall proforma contractual backlog is projected to be $4.3 billion, with combined revenue estimates for 2026 ranging from $1.5 billion to $1.7 billion [15][16]. - Adjusted EBITDA for 2026 is expected to be between $380 million and $420 million, with adjusted earnings per share projected at $2.85 to $3.15 [16]. Growth and Strategic Positioning - NACG, in partnership with the MacKellar Group, is positioned as a Tier 1 contractor in Australia, capable of pursuing larger opportunities across the country [13]. - The company is actively pursuing major projects in Canada and the U.S., including nation-building projects and mass civil earthworks [14].