Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: WTS) announced today the signing
of a definitive agreement to acquire AERCO International, Inc.
(“AERCO”), a portfolio entity of The Riverside Company, in an all-cash
transaction. The acquisition of AERCO is expected to close before the
end of this year. The consummation of the acquisition is subject to
customary closing conditions.
AERCO is a leading manufacturer of a wide range of high-efficiency
commercial boilers and water heaters. The company is based in Blauvelt,
New York and its products are distributed primarily in the United States
for the commercial markets.
AERCO’s trailing twelve months sales through September approximated $100
million. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, Watts expects to pay
$264.5 million in cash to purchase 100% of the share capital of AERCO on
a debt/cash free basis. The purchase price is subject to a customary net
working capital adjustment. Watts intends to fund the transaction with
borrowings under its credit facility.
Robert J. Pagano Jr., Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Acquiring
AERCO will allow us to expand our product breadth to the strategically
important adjacency of heat and hot water offerings. AERCO is a
recognized leader in the fast growing market for high efficiency boilers
and hot water heaters, with solid operating margins and attractive
opportunities to continue its strong growth. AERCO’s products complement
our existing portfolio, strengthening our ability to provide a total
solution for our customers. With our existing international footprint,
we also anticipate expanding AERCO’s worldwide presence.”
Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will hold a live webcast of its
conference call to discuss the acquisition of AERCO on Friday, November
7, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. The press release and the live
webcast can be accessed by visiting the Investor Relations section of
the Watts Water Technologies, Inc. website at www.wattswater.com.
Following the webcast, an archived version of the call will be available
at the same address until November 7, 2015.
Watts Water Technologies, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a world
leader in the manufacture of innovative products to control the
efficiency, safety, and quality of water within residential, commercial,
and institutional applications. Watts’ expertise in a wide variety of
water technologies enables Watts to be a comprehensive supplier to the
water industry.
This Press Release includes “forward-looking statements” as defined in
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future
events. You should not rely on forward-looking statements because our
actual results may differ materially from those predicted as a result of
a number of potential risks and uncertainties. These potential risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the likelihood and timing
of the closing of the acquisition of AERCO; the effectiveness of our
ongoing restructuring and transformation projects; the current economic
and financial condition, which can affect the housing and construction
markets where our products are sold, manufactured and marketed;
shortages in and pricing of raw materials and supplies; our ability to
compete effectively; changes in variable interest rates on our
borrowings; failure to expand our markets through acquisitions; failure
to successfully develop and introduce new product offerings or
enhancements to existing products; failure to manufacture products that
meet required performance and safety standards; failure to successfully
integrate acquisitions, including the acquisition of AERCO; foreign
exchange rate fluctuations; cyclicality of industries where we market
our products, such as plumbing and heating wholesalers and home
improvement retailers; environmental compliance costs; product liability
risks; changes in the status of current litigation; and other risks and
uncertainties discussed under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and in
Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed
with the SEC and our subsequent filings with the SEC. We undertake no
duty to update the information contained in this Press Release, except
as required by law.
Copyright Business Wire 2014