Filed by ROC Energy Acquisition Corp.
pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of
1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-2
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: ROC Energy Acquisition Corp.
(File No. 001-41103)
ROC Energy Acquisition Corp. Announces Effectiveness
of Registration Statement and June 1, 2023 Special Meeting of Stockholders to Approve Proposed Business Combination with Drilling Tools
International Holdings, Inc.
HOUSTON
AND DALLAS, TEXAS – (May 17, 2023) — ROC Energy Acquisition Corp. (“ROC”)
(Nasdaq: ROC), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, today announced that ROC’s registration statement on Form
S-4, relating to the previously announced proposed business combination between ROC and Drilling Tools
International Holdings, Inc. (“DTI” or the “Company”), a leading oilfield services company that manufactures
and provides a differentiated, rental-focused offering of tools for use in horizontal and directional drilling,
has been declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
ROC is mailing the definitive proxy statement/prospectus/consent
solicitation statement (the “Proxy Statement”) to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 8, 2023. The Proxy
Statement contains a notice and voting instruction form or a proxy card relating to the special meeting of ROC’s stockholders (the
“Special Meeting”).
The Special Meeting to approve the proposed business
combination is scheduled to be held on June 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time via a virtual meeting format at https://www.cstproxy.com/rocspac/2023.
If the requisite proposals at the Special Meeting are approved, the parties anticipate that the proposed business combination will close
and the combined entity will commence trading on the Nasdaq under the new ticker symbol “DTI” shortly thereafter, subject
to the satisfaction or waiver, as applicable, of all other closing conditions.
Every stockholder’s vote is important, regardless
of the number of shares held. Accordingly, ROC requests that each stockholder complete, sign, date and return a proxy card (online or
by mail) as soon as possible and, if by internet, no later than 05:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 30, 2023, to ensure that the stockholder’s
shares will be represented at the Special Meeting. Stockholders who hold shares in “street name” (i.e., those stockholders
whose shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee) should contact their broker, bank or nominee to ensure that their
shares are voted.
If any ROC stockholder does not receive the Proxy
Statement, such stockholder should (i) confirm his or her Proxy Statement’s status with his or her broker or (ii) contact Morrow
Sodali LLC, ROC’s proxy solicitor, for assistance via e-mail at ROC.info@investor.morrowsodali.com or toll-free call at 800-662-5200.
Banks and brokers can place a collect call to Morrow Sodali LLC at 203-658-9400.
Advisors
Winston & Strawn LLP is serving as legal advisor
to ROC. Bracewell LLP is serving as legal advisor to DTI. Jefferies is serving as capital markets advisor and private placement agent
to ROC. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel for Jefferies LLC. EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. is serving as financial advisor
to ROC.
About Drilling Tools International
DTI is a Houston, Texas based leading oilfield
services company that rents downhole drilling tools used in horizontal and directional drilling of oil and natural gas wells. DTI operates
from 22 locations across North America, Europe and the Middle East. To learn more about DTI visit: www.drillingtools.com.
On February 14, 2023, DTI announced it had entered
into a business combination agreement with ROC. Following the consummation of the proposed business combination, which is subject to customary
closing conditions, DTI is expected to become a public company listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbol “DTI”
in the second quarter of 2023.
About ROC Energy Acquisition Corp.
ROC is a blank check company formed for the purpose
of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with
one or more businesses. While ROC may pursue an acquisition in any business industry or sector, it has concentrated its efforts on the
traditional energy sector in the U.S. ROC is led by Chief Executive Officer Daniel Jeffrey Kimes and Chief Financial Officer Rosemarie
Cicalese. To learn more, visit: https://rocspac.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may include, and oral statements
made from time to time by representatives of DTI, ROC, and the combined company resulting from their combination (the “Combined
Company”) may include, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements regarding
the proposed business combination and the financing thereof, and related matters, as well as all other statements other than statements
of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate,”
“believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,”
“may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,”
“should,” “would” and similar expressions, as they relate to DTI, ROC, or the Combined Company, or their respective
management teams, identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements also involve significant risks and uncertainties,
some of which are difficult to predict and may be beyond the control of DTI, ROC, and the Combined Company. These risks could cause the
actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to:
(1) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted in connection with the proposed business combination, (2) the inability
to complete the proposed business combination, (3) delays in obtaining, adverse conditions contained in, or the inability to obtain necessary
regulatory approvals or complete regulatory reviews required to complete the proposed business combination, (4) the risk that the proposed
business combination disrupts current plans and operations of DTI or ROC, (5) the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the
proposed business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the Combined Company to grow
and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain key employees, (6) costs related to the proposed
business combination, (7) the ability to meet stock exchange listing standards at or following consummation of the proposed business combination,
(8) changes in applicable laws or regulations, (9) the possibility that DTI or the Combined Company may be adversely affected by other
economic, business, and/or competitive factors, (10) the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and (11) other risks and uncertainties
separately provided to you and indicated from time to time described in filings and potential filings by DTI, ROC, or the Combined Company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In addition, there are risks and uncertainties described in the definitive
proxy statement/prospectus/consent solicitation statement related to the proposed business combination filed with the SEC by ROC on May
12, 2023 (the “Proxy Statement”). Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management of DTI, ROC and the
Combined Company, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, DTI’s and ROC’s management. Actual
results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the
Proxy Statement. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to DTI, ROC, or the Combined Company or persons
acting on each of their respective behalves are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject
to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of each of DTI, ROC, and the Combined Company, including those set forth
in the Risk Factors section of the Proxy Statement. DTI, ROC, and the Combined Company each undertake no obligation to update these statements
for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.
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Important Information About the Proposed Business
Combination and Where to Find It
ROC has filed with the SEC the Proxy Statement,
which includes a definitive proxy statement/prospectus/consent solicitation statement, that is (i) the proxy statement being distributed
to ROC’s stockholders in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the vote by ROC’s stockholders with respect to the
proposed business combination and other matters as are described in the Proxy Statement, (ii) the prospectus relating to the offer and
sale of the securities to be issued in the proposed business combination, and (iii) the consent solicitation statement that DTI is providing
to holders of its common stock and preferred stock to solicit the required written consent to adopt and approve the business combination
agreement and approve the proposed business combination. ROC is mailing the Proxy Statement. This press release does not contain all the
information that should be considered concerning the proposed business combination and is not intended to form the basis of any investment
decision or any other decision in respect of the proposed business combination. ROC’s stockholders and other interested persons
are advised to read the Proxy Statement and other documents filed in connection with the proposed business combination, as these materials
will contain important information about DTI, ROC, the Combined Company and the proposed business combination.
The Proxy Statement and other relevant materials
for the proposed business combination are being mailed to stockholders of ROC as of May 8, 2023. Stockholders will also be able to obtain
copies of the Proxy Statement and other documents filed with the SEC, without charge, once available, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov,
or by directing a request to ROC’s secretary at 16400 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75248, (972) 392-6180.
Participants in the Solicitation
ROC and its directors, executive officers, other
members of management and employees may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of ROC’s stockholders
in connection with the proposed business combination. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the
names and interests in the proposed business combination of ROC’s directors and officers in the Proxy Statement. Stockholders can
obtain copies of the Proxy Statement, without charge, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. DTI and its directors and
executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of ROC in connection with
the proposed business combination. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests
in the proposed business combination are included in the Proxy Statement.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release shall not constitute a solicitation
of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed business combination. This press release
shall also not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities
in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under
the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements
of Section 10 of the Securities Act, or an exemption therefrom.
Contacts:
Investor Relations – Drilling Tools
Sioban Hickie, ICR, Inc.
DrillingToolsIR@icrinc.com
Public Relations, Media – Drilling Tools
DrillingToolsPR@icrinc.com
Source: ROC Energy Acquisition Corp.
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