Delphi Automotive PLC today announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its wholly owned thermal business to MAHLE GmbH for cash consideration of approximately $727 million, subject to closing adjustments, which represents an implied EV/LTM EBITDA multiple of approximately 9.5x.
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2015, subject to regulatory approvals. Proceeds from the transaction will be used to fund growth initiatives, including acquisitions and share repurchases.
Delphi and MAHLE also signed a separate letter of intent to sell Delphi’s stake in Shanghai Delphi Automotive Air-Conditioning System Co. Ltd. Proceeds from this transaction will be in addition to the $727 million paid for the wholly owned operations.
“This agreement represents a great outcome for both Delphi and our Thermal division,” said Rodney O’Neal, Delphi’s chief executive officer and president. “The transaction positions Delphi with a more focused high-growth product portfolio that addresses the trends of safe, green and connected. The acquisition of the business by MAHLE, a leading global supplier of thermal systems, ensures continued industry-leading service to our customers and stability for our employees.”
Delphi’s Thermal division had 2014 revenues of $1.6 billion, with approximately 6,700 employees and 13 plants globally. The results of operations of the Thermal division business will be reported as discontinued operations beginning in the first quarter of 2015.
“The acquisition of Delphi’s Thermal division enhances our good position in the thermal market,” said Prof. Heinz K. Junker, MAHLE chairman of the Management Board and chief executive officer. “The transaction extends our production footprint in Europe, North America, and Asia and further strengthens our product range and systems competence—particularly with air conditioning compressors. This step represents the continued strategic progression for MAHLE.”
Added O’Neal: “Under MAHLE ownership, Delphi Thermal will become part of a leading systems supplier in the thermal industry, better positioned to serve customers with a global footprint and industry-leading technology portfolio. The business is a good strategic fit for MAHLE, which will benefit our Thermal customers and our Thermal employees.”
Comprehensive thermal management systems will play an increasingly significant role for all potential drive systems of the future—combustion engines, electric drives (batteries and power electronics), or fuel cells.
Delphi Thermal is represented in all regions of the world. The product portfolio, ranging from HVAC modules and air conditioning compressors to cooling components, is an ideal complement to MAHLE’s existing thermal management activities, MAHLE said. The identically named MAHLE business unit, which was formed in connection with the majority acquisition of the Behr Group in 2013, will thus be in an even stronger position to serve the automotive industry as its global systems partner. Furthermore, the air conditioning compressor technology will round out MAHLE’s thermal management product range.
MAHLE said its goal is to integrate the 13 Delphi plants in Europe (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary), North and South America (USA, Mexico, Brazil), and Asia (China, India), as well as the development centers in the USA and Luxembourg, into the global MAHLE Group organization.
Barclays is serving as Delphi’s financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as its legal counsel.
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