When a Texas company wants to go public, it is a long process before it can actually make the initial public offering of stock. Navigating through the maze of securities law can be intimidating, especially when a mistake can lead to the Securities and Exchange Commission opening up an investigation.
A Houston-based company, MRC Global Inc., announced recently that it will go public later this year. According to its initial filing with the SEC, the company hopes to raise at least $100 million through its IPO. The company is one of the largest distributors of pipe, valves and fittings in the world.
MRC is the parent company of the North American company McJunkin Red Man Corp., which was formed from a merger of Oklahoma and West Virginia companies in 2007. The company, which distributes most of its products to the energy industry, moved to Houston at that time. In a statement, the company CEO said the American company will maintain the McJunkin Red Man name.
According to its SEC filing, increased demand for oil and gas drilling make the timing right for the IPO. The company originally planned to go public in 2009 but decided against it due to the sluggish energy market.
MRC has acquired numerous supply companies that serve areas of the country where shale gas exploration is taking place, which is expected to increase in the United States over the next few decades.
As mentioned above, the initial filing is just the first step in a long process toward a company going public. MRC has no doubt consulted with experienced securities lawyers, who can help the company remain compliant.
Source: Tulsa World, "McJunkin Red Man to go public," Rod Walton, Jan. 13, 2012