Member News

March 29, 2021

PHOENIX /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute (NYSE: UTI), the nation's leading provider of trained technicians to the transportation industry, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MIAT College of Technology from HCP & Company, its owner since August 2014. Terms of the transaction have been disclosed in UTI's Form 8-K and completion of the acquisition will occur pending customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved the agreement.

Like UTI, MIAT is focused on serving students seeking fast-tracked, high-value education that leads to rewarding jobs and careers and to helping employers meet their demand for talent trained with the high-tech and evolving skills required in today's workforce.

MIAT was founded in 1969 and currently serves approximately 1,200 students through its campuses in Canton, MI and Houston, TX. The company offers vocational and technical certificates as well as associates degrees in fields with robust and growing demand for skilled technical workers, including aviation maintenance, energy technology, wind power, robotics and automation, non-destructive testing, HVACR,  and welding. MIAT's preliminary revenue and adjusted EBITDA for calendar 2020 were approximately $25 million and $3.5 million, respectively, with year-over-year revenue growth in excess of 20% in both 2020 and 2019. MIAT is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

The acquisition will enable UTI to further expand its program offerings into growing industry sectors and rapidly expanding fields likely to be bolstered by technological innovation and the country's focus on sustainable energy. Additionally, this will allow UTI to offer MIAT programs at UTI campuses and extend UTI's presence and programs into the Detroit, MI market where MIAT has been for over 50 years.

"We are excited about the upcoming addition of MIAT College of Technology and to advance our strategy to serve more students, particularly in fields where trained technicians are in such strong and increasing demand," said Jerome Grant, chief executive officer of UTI. "Notably, many of MIAT's programs are aligned with expected macroeconomic developments, such as green initiatives and alternate energy, on-shoring of manufacturing and infrastructure investment," he added.

"We believe UTI's existing financial strength, the acquisition of MIAT and the program expansion and diversification synergies it will enable, along with our previously announced planned new campus investments, will position UTI for solid double-digit revenue growth and continued margin expansion over the next several years," Grant said.

Barrington Research Associates was the exclusive financial advisor to UTI in this transaction. 

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.

With more than 220,000 graduates in its 55-year history, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is the nation's leading provider of technical training for automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, and offers welding technology and computer numerical control (CNC) machining programs. The company has built partnerships with industry leaders, outfits its state-of-the-industry facilities with current technology, and delivers training that is aligned with employer needs. Through its network of 12 campuses nationwide, UTI offers post-secondary programs under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech). The company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.

About MIAT College of Technology

For more than 50 years, MIAT College of Technology ("MIAT") has graduated highly skilled workers across diversified industrial end-markets and is known as a leader and innovator in post-secondary education technical skills training. As a Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) accredited College, MIAT awards diploma, certificate, and associate degrees at its campuses in Canton, Michigan and Houston, Texas which total over 180,000 square feet of training space.  Programs offered include aviation maintenance, robotics and automation, HVACR, energy technology, wind power, and welding.  Both campuses provide admissions guidance, career services, financial services, learning resource center support assistance, and are approved for Federal Military and Veterans Education Benefits (VA). MIAT also offers customized industry-specific training for strategic employment partners locally and nationally, which include the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Siemens, Marathon Oil, DTE, Spirit, and Delta Tech Ops.