Acquisition

RNS Number : 9239U

IMI PLC

25 October 2010

 



IMI announces €135m acquisition in Severe Service

IMI plc ("IMI"), the international engineering group, has agreed to acquire Zimmermann & Jansen ("Z&J"), a leading engineering business specializing in severe service valves and related flow control products, for an enterprise value of €135m.

Founded in Germany in 1877, Z&J is a highly respected manufacturer of critical process valve solutions for severe applications, primarily focused in the Refining and Petrochemical and Iron and Steel markets.  Z&J has a global presence and approximately 40% of Z&J's sales are in emerging markets, including Russia, India and China.  Z&J also has a strong aftermarket business with around two thirds of sales coming from refurbishment, replacement, parts and service. 

Z&J has manufacturing facilities in Germany, US and South Africa and a sales and procurement office in China. The senior management and approximately 430 employees will be transferring with the business. In calendar year 2009, Z&J had sales of €125m and underlying operating profit (EBIT) of €15m.

Z&J will join IMI's Severe Service division, which is a leading global provider of custom engineered valve, actuation, and control solutions for critical in-plant processes, focusing on the upstream and midstream Oil and Gas markets, and power generation. The acquisition of Z&J is highly complementary, both in market terms, extending IMI's interests into downstream Oil and Gas (Refining and Petrochemical) and into Iron and Steel; and in technology terms, with Z&J's highly acclaimed isolation valve technology a natural fit alongside the Truflo technology acquired in 2006.  The use of IMI's global sales and aftermarket infrastructure is expected to improve Z&J's geographic penetration, in much the same way it has done for the Truflo business.

IMI has agreed to acquire Z&J Technologies GmbH from Valves Investment S.A. for a cash consideration payable at completion of €135m less net debt assumed with Z&J.  Valves Investment S.A. is a Luxembourg based company, having as shareholders ILP Funds which are European private equity funds advised by J Hirsch & Co. The value of gross assets and net operating assets to be acquired are estimated at €52m and €18m, respectively. The consideration will be funded out of IMI's existing resources and banking facilities. Completion is subject to regulatory clearances which are expected to be received by 31 December 2010.

Martin Lamb, IMI's Chief Executive, commented:

"We are delighted to have acquired such a highly respected company as Zimmermann & Jansen.  It has a strong reputation for its engineering expertise, has market-leading brands and technologies, a good aftermarket business, new products under development and strong customer relationships.  Zimmermann & Jansen's activities in the Refining and Petrochemical and Iron and Steel markets open up a number of new niche opportunities for the combined business, as does their emerging market exposure, which together should help drive future growth."

Additional information on Z&J is set out in a brochure available on the IMI corporate website www.imiplc.com.

Enquiries:

IMI plc

Will Shaw
Tel: [phone]

Finsbury
Rollo Head / Clare Hunt
Tel: [phone]

 

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