ONCOURSE HOME SOLUTIONS ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF CONSUMERS ENERGY APPLIANCE SERVICE PLAN BUSINESS

Rhea-AI Summary

Oncourse Home Solutions (OHS) has announced its acquisition of the Consumers Energy Appliance Service Plan (ASP) business from CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS) through its affiliate American Water Resources, LLC. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. The ASP business has been a leading provider of appliance protection and related services to homeowners in Michigan for over 35 years. OHS aims to expand its presence and offerings to homeowners and strengthen its customer-first approach through this acquisition.

Market Research Analyst

The acquisition of Consumers Energy Appliance Service Plan (ASP) business by Oncourse Home Solutions (OHS) represents a strategic expansion in the home warranty solutions market. This move not only diversifies OHS's portfolio but also strengthens its market position by integrating a well-established brand with a 35-year legacy. The synergy between OHS's existing services and ASP's offerings could potentially create a more comprehensive suite of home protection products, likely appealing to a broader customer base.

From a market perspective, the integration of ASP could lead to operational efficiencies and cross-selling opportunities. The increased customer base and expanded geographic reach should drive revenue growth. However, it's critical to monitor the execution of the integration process, as the alignment of customer service and the maintenance of ASP's reputed service quality are essential for the success of the merger.

For stakeholders, the short-term implications may involve costs associated with the acquisition and integration process. In the long term, the potential for increased market share and revenue growth could result in a positive impact on OHS's financial performance and, consequently, on CMS Energy's stock valuation, given that Consumers Energy is a subsidiary of CMS.

Financial Analyst

Financially, the acquisition of Consumers Energy's ASP business by OHS is a significant investment that could enhance OHS's earnings potential. The deal's success hinges on OHS's ability to leverage ASP's customer loyalty and brand reputation to upsell and cross-sell its existing services. The transaction is poised to close in the first half of 2024, which suggests that any financial impact will not be immediate but rather realized over the ensuing quarters.

Investors should consider the acquisition's impact on OHS's debt levels, cash flow and earnings per share (EPS). If financed through debt, the interest burden could affect short-term profitability. Conversely, a well-structured deal could enhance EPS if it leads to significant cost savings or revenue synergies. The market will also be looking at the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio post-acquisition to assess whether the transaction was accretive or dilutive to OHS's value.

Legal Expert

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, which typically include regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of any antitrust concerns. The legal implications of such transactions can be complex and the due diligence process is crucial to uncover any potential legal liabilities associated with ASP's business. It is also important to consider the transfer of contracts and the management of customer data, which may be subject to privacy laws and regulations.

The continued partnership between Consumers Energy and OHS post-acquisition suggests a strategic alliance that could be beneficial for both entities. However, the terms of this partnership will be critical in determining how each party can leverage the other's resources and customer base while maintaining compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. , Feb. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Oncourse Home Solutions (OHS), a leader in providing trusted and affordable home warranty solutions, announced today that its affiliate American Water Resources, LLC  has entered into a definitive agreement with Consumers Energy, a subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), whereby OHS will acquire the Consumers Energy Appliance Service Plan (ASP) business. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

"We've made significant investments over the last two years to propel our business forward, and this strategic move allows us to seamlessly expand our presence and offerings to homeowners," said Josh Cohen, CFO of Oncourse Home Solutions. "Consumers Energy is known for its superior service and quality, and the acquisition of its reputable ASP business will help us with our long-term goals of increasing accessibility, value and protection for customers to help make home ownership enjoyable for all. This new relationship will strengthen our customer-first approach and support our unwavering commitment to perfecting the customer experience, which lies at the heart of our business."

The Appliance Service Plan business has served as the leading provider of appliance protection and related services to homeowners in Michigan for over 35 years. Its comprehensive plans provide customers with coverage for repairs and replacement, offering financial protection from unexpected appliance breakdowns. With 24/7 access to representatives to schedule service calls, and priority scheduling for heating and cooling emergencies, the Appliance Service Plan team deploys experienced local technicians to customers to fix issues effectively and efficiently.

In addition to appliance protection, OHS offers complete protection for outside the home, including water line, sewer line, external gas line, external electric line, well line, and septic line protection, as well as protection for inside the home through its in-home plumbing emergency program, cooling and heating repair programs, power surge protection program, hot water heater program and interior electric protection program.

Upon closing, Consumers Energy and Oncourse Home Solutions will continue their partnership, allowing customers to enjoy the benefits of ASP appliance protection services, as well as have greater access to a broad suite of the high-quality home protection products offered by Oncourse Home Solutions.

"We now have an opportunistic ability to scale and add a significant number of customers and new partner relationships that are both complementary and advantageous to our organization," said Cohen.

For more information on Oncourse Home Solutions, its offerings, and updates, please visit: OncourseHome.com.

About Oncourse Home Solutions

Oncourse Home Solutions is a leading provider of home protection solutions focused on protecting homeowners from unexpected costs through flexible services for home repairs and maintenance. Through its companies, Oncourse Home Solutions serves 1.5 million homeowners across 43 states and Washington, D.C. With over three decades of experience, Oncourse Home Solutions remains committed to simplifying the hassles of home care and providing coverage that simply works, giving homeowners peace of mind. Visit OncourseHome.com for more information about Oncourse Home Solutions.

Contact:
Marlo Gaal
312.504.0965
marlo.gaal@oncoursehome.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oncourse-home-solutions-announces-acquisition-of-consumers-energy-appliance-service-plan-business-302053658.html

SOURCE Oncourse Home Solutions

What is the ticker symbol for CMS Energy?

The ticker symbol for CMS Energy is CMS.

What is the expected timeline for the acquisition of Consumers Energy Appliance Service Plan (ASP) business by OHS?

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

What services does the Appliance Service Plan (ASP) business offer to homeowners?

The ASP business provides coverage for repairs and replacement of appliances, offering financial protection from unexpected breakdowns, along with 24/7 access to representatives and priority scheduling for heating and cooling emergencies.

What other protection programs does OHS offer?

OHS offers complete protection for water line, sewer line, external gas line, external electric line, well line, septic line, in-home plumbing emergency program, cooling and heating repair programs, power surge protection program, hot water heater program, and interior electric protection program.

What is the goal of OHS in acquiring the ASP business from CMS Energy?

OHS aims to expand its presence and offerings to homeowners and strengthen its customer-first approach through this acquisition.