Johnson Electric to buy Stackpole International
August 12, 2015
Johnson Electric Holdings Limited, a global leader in electric motors and motion subsystems headquartered in Hong Kong, has agreed to acquire the Stackpole International group of companies, a leading supplier of engine and transmission pumps and Powder Metallurgy components, in a transaction valued at C$800 million (US$608 million).
Stackpole, headquartered in Ontario, Canada, has a 109-year history as a supplier of highly-engineered components to the automotive industry and employs over 2,000 people globally. Its blue-chip customer base is comprised mainly of the world’s leading automotive original equipment manufacturers and their Tier 1 suppliers.
“We identified pumps and highly-engineered components as strategic priorities for Johnson Electric to strengthen our position as a supplier to key engine and transmission applications that contribute to improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. Acquiring Stackpole’s oil pump technology and powder metal expertise is an excellent fit that will enable us to provide integrated motorised pump solutions to customers in a rapidly growing market segment within the automotive industry,” stated Dr Patrick Wang, Johnson Electric’s Chairman and Chief Executive.
“In addition, the acquisition will significantly increase our exposure to the North American automotive market which is presently experiencing strong demand, as well as provide attractive longer term growth platforms in Europe and Asia,” added Wang.
Since its carve-out from the Gates Corporation of Canada in 2011, Stackpole has been under private equity ownership and is presently owned by SI Investors, L.P., a limited partnership majority owned by Crestview Partners.
Stackpole’s consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 were C$487 million, excluding sales from its 30%-owned non-consolidated joint venture in Korea and China. Approximately 80% of its consolidated sales were made to customers based in North America. Stackpole’s 2014 normalised earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) amounted to C$82 million, including a proportional share of EBITDA from its non-consolidated joint venture business.
Johnson Electric has agreed to acquire Stackpole in an all-cash transaction that values Stackpole at C$800 million on an enterprise value basis. Johnson Electric will finance the acquisition with a combination of its current cash balances and proceeds from existing revolving credit facilities. In conjunction with the transaction, Stackpole’s existing high-yield debt will be retired.
In addition to working capital and other customary adjustments, Johnson Electric has agreed to make a contingent payment of up to C$12.75 million, subject to the period elapsed between signing and closing. Subject to these additions and adjustments, it is estimated that the total consideration payable by Johnson Electric (including costs associated with the planned early retirement of Stackpole’s high-yield debt) could be up to C$867 million (equivalent to approximately US$659 million).
Excluding one-time transaction costs, the acquisition of Stackpole is expected to be earnings enhancing for Johnson Electric in the first financial year following financial closing. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2015, subject to customary conditions including obtaining applicable regulatory approvals.
