Natus To Acquire Grass Technologies Product Group From Astro-Med

Natus Medical Incorporated (Nasdaq:BABY) and Astro-Med, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALOT) today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement for Natus to acquire the Grass Technologies Product Group from Astro-Med. The Grass Technologies Product Group includes clinically differentiated neurodiagnostic and monitoring products, including a portfolio of polysomnography (PSG) and electroencephalography (EEG) systems for both clinical and research use and related accessories and proprietary electrodes.

The transaction is expected to close on January 31, 2013. Natus will fund the approximate $18.6 million cash purchase price with existing cash and borrowings under its credit facility. Astro-Med reported revenue from the Grass segment of $18.5 million for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012. Astro-Med will retain its Grass manufacturing facility and the companies have entered into an agreement whereby Astro-Med will continue to manufacture the Grass products and provide other transition services for a period of time, after which Natus will acquire any remaining inventory.

“Grass Technologies has been consistently profitable and we expect Grass to be accretive to our earnings in our first full quarter of ownership and for the full year 2013,” said Jim Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer of Natus. “The Grass acquisition expands our presence into certain international markets, adds to our disposable product offerings, and provides Natus an entry into the research segment of the Neurodiagnostic market. This acquisition will continue to allow us to bring additional value to customers.”

“After completing a strategic review of our businesses we have determined that it is in the best interest of our shareholders to focus on our fast growing Quick Label Systems and Test & Measurement business segments,” said Everett V. Pizzuti, Chief Executive Officer of Astro-Med. “We have been working on several unique opportunities in these two segments and as a result, we have not been able to devote the resources needed to continue the growth of Grass. We know that Natus, with its worldwide strength and focus in neurology, is an ideal place for Grass to flourish.”

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