CenterPoint Energy to Sell Miller Pipeline, Minnesota Ltd. to PowerTeam Services

Miller Pipeline and Minnesota Ltd. are two of the premier natural gas distribution and transmission pipeline contractors in the United States.

CenterPoint Energy Inc. and PowerTeam Services LLC, an integrated infrastructure services provider,  announced Feb. 3 that they have entered into an agreement through which CenterPoint Energy will sell Miller Pipeline and Minnesota Ltd. (collectively, “MVerge”) to PowerTeam for $850 million in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. Net proceeds of the sale will be used to repay a portion of outstanding CenterPoint Energy debt.

Scott Prochazka, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy, said, “The sale is a key achievement in our ongoing strategic focus to strengthen our balance sheet and improve our business risk profile and earnings quality pursuant to increased relative contribution of our core utility businesses. Post transaction, we expect our utility earnings contribution to increase to greater than 80% over the next few years.”

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Prochazka added, “With PowerTeam, we believe we have found the right company to continue growing the businesses of Miller Pipeline and Minnesota Limited and position them for long-term success.”

Miller Pipeline, a NUCA member company, and Minnesota Ltd., which represent CenterPoint Energy’s Infrastructure Services business segment, are two of the premier natural gas distribution and transmission pipeline contractors in the United States, providing services to customers in 35 states. In 2019, both Miller Pipeline and Minnesota Ltd. were acquired by CenterPoint Energy in the CenterPoint Energy-Vectren Corp. merger. Miller Pipeline is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, and employs more than 3,500 people. Minnesota Ltd. is based in Big Lake, Minnesota, with peak employment of more than 1,400 employees.

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“PowerTeam’s combination with Miller Pipeline and Minnesota Ltd. creates a powerful platform with nationwide scale to continue to safely and reliably serve customers, provide enhanced career opportunities for employees, and capitalize on significant growth opportunities in the utility and energy infrastructure industry,” said Brian Palmer, chief executive officer of PowerTeam, who will serve as the chief executive officer of the combined company. “Our highly complementary businesses have a shared set of values and a diverse customer base and geographic presence that will serve as the foundation for our continued growth. Together, we will focus on continuing to deliver top-notch safety, execution, quality and professionalism to our customers across the United States.”

Doug Banning, current chief executive officer of MVerge who will continue to oversee Miller Pipeline and Minnesota Ltd., said, “This is an exciting development for everyone at Miller Pipeline and Minnesota Ltd. PowerTeam shares our goal of being the best in the industry and recognizes the talent that our organization brings. By combining two industry leaders, we believe our employees and customers will see significant benefits.”

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The sale is anticipated to be completed in the second quarter of 2020, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period.

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