Smiths Group acquisition of Morpho Detection

RNS Number : 8799V

Smiths Group PLC

21 April 2016

 

 

News Release

London, 21 April 2016

For immediate release

Smiths Group focuses on global technology in security with $710m acquisition

Smiths Group plc ("Smiths Group" or the "Group") today announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Morpho Detection ("Morpho Detection" or the "Business"), a California-based detection and security solutions company, from Safran S.A. ("Safran") for an enterprise value of $710 million (£493 million¹) (the "Acquisition"). The closing of the Acquisition is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals. Upon closing, Morpho Detection will be merged with Smiths Group's Detection division.

Smiths Detection is a world leader in products and services that detect a wide range of threats, including explosive, chemical and radioactive materials, and contraband. Morpho Detection manufactures and supplies detection systems and services to improve mission-critical security at airports, borders and other high-risk critical infrastructure sites such as nuclear power plants, military installations and government buildings. It also provides extensive services to maintain and upgrade its broad installed base of equipment and related products. It is planned that the current product and service offerings of both businesses will be supported post-completion. Morpho Detection had total revenues of $320 million in 2015 with an operating margin of 18%, with aftermarket services including software representing more than half of total revenues.

Andy Reynolds Smith, Chief Executive of Smiths Group, said:

"The threat environment for people and critical infrastructure around the world is constantly evolving and becoming more complex and sophisticated. The response, to keep people safe and the world running, demands cutting-edge technology and cost-efficient solutions.

"Morpho Detection is a high quality business with a strong management team, and I am convinced that this combination provides a compelling competitive platform for product, service and technology leadership. The acquisition is consistent with our approach to increasingly focus investment in highly attractive technology-led areas, and will create significant value for shareholders and position us for long-term growth."

Strategic rationale

·     Strengthens Smiths Group's ability to develop and compete in attractive global threat detection segments with strong fundamentals, which are expected to grow by mid-single digits per annum over the medium to long term

-       Combination of complementary businesses will create a broad offering of leading mission-critical products and services to detect a range of threats and illicit activities in air transportation, ports and borders, critical infrastructure, and military and emergency response

-       Extensive international presence with strong routes to market in key segments and geographies, with continued growth opportunities in established US and EU markets and further potential in Asia

·     Creates the best-in-class technology and solutions provider in the sector, putting its global Research and Development capabilities to work in an evolving threat environment

·     Better placed to meet increasing customer requirements for high-technology, cost-efficient, through-life solutions and services

·     Acquisition will position Smiths Group well to develop long term recurring aftermarket services revenues

·     Software engineering capabilities will enhance opportunity for future networked solutions and integration of remote monitoring systems and diagnostics

·     Strongly cash generative combined business

·     Good cost and efficiency synergies identified

·     Benefits expected from the realisation of additional growth opportunities

Financial highlights

·     Enterprise value (EV) of $710 million (£493 million) on a cash free debt free basis

·     2015 operating profit of $56 million (18% operating margin) and EBITDA of $70 million

·     Expected annual cost synergies of c.$30 million to be delivered by the third full year following closing, with one-off integration costs of c.$30 million to achieve these synergies during the first 3 years of ownership

·     Pro forma EV acquisition multiples:

-      2015 EBITDA:                                                                       10.1x          

-      2015 EBITDA including cost synergies:                                 7.1x

·     Mid-single digit EPS accretion expected in the first full year of ownership

·     ROIC expected to exceed Smiths Group cost of capital by the third full year of ownership

·     Pro forma Group net debt/EBITDA (31 July 2015) of 2.0x (excluding synergies)

·     Expect to retain a strong investment grade rating, with continued disciplined balance sheet management

·     In addition, the Acquisition generates a tax step-up benefit for Smiths Group ²

The consideration payable to Safran will be funded from a combination of Smiths Group's existing cash resources and available committed bank facilities.³

Information regarding Morpho Detection

Morpho Detection's primary focus is the sale of Computed Tomography Explosive Detection Systems ("EDS") for checked baggage and Explosive Trace Detection ("Trace") equipment to airports, government agencies and critical infrastructure customers, with its technology in use in 175 countries.  The Business also provides services to improve, maintain and extend the life of its installed base of equipment and other manufacturers' products. In addition, Morpho Detection has developed proprietary software that increases operational efficiency and provides networking solutions to address customer requirements.

Morpho Detection's products are certified by the US Transportation Security Administration ("TSA"), the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, the European Civil Aviation Conference, the Civil Aviation Administration of China and various other regulatory bodies worldwide. Morpho Detection has strong, well established relationships with key customers including the TSA and numerous international airports including Heathrow. Headquartered in Newark, California, Morpho Detection currently has 860 employees globally. For the year ended 31 December 2015, Morpho Detection had revenue of $320 million, EBITDA of $70 million and operating profit of $56 million (18% margin). At 31 December 2015, Morpho Detection had gross assets of $699 million.

Transaction details and timing

Completion of the Acquisition is expected to take place in early 2017 and is conditional upon regulatory clearances in the US, Europe and certain other territories, as well as other customary closing conditions.

In the event that regulatory clearances are not obtained on terms that are satisfactory to Smiths Group, and subject to limited exceptions, Smiths Group can terminate the acquisition agreement and, in this case, will be required to pay a termination fee of $40 million (£28 million) to Safran.

Conference call

Andy Reynolds Smith and Chris O'Shea, Chief Financial Officer, will hold an analyst and investor call at 08:30 this morning to discuss this announcement. A copy of the presentation slides will be available at http://www.smiths.com/presentations.

Dial in details:

UK Toll Number:                     [phone]
UK Toll-Free Number:             0808 237 0030

Participant PIN Code:             23822623#

Notes

1.   An exchange rate of £1.00:$1.44 has been used throughout this press release.

2.   The transaction is expected to generate a tax step-up for Smiths Group amounting to a net present value of circa $110m, based on a 9% discount rate over 15 years.

3.   The gross consideration payable of $723.7 million will include $13.7 million of acquired net cash (representing an EV of $710 million), and will be subject to customary adjustments for a locked box transaction.

ENDS

Contact details

Investor enquiries

Andrew Lappin, Smiths Group

[phone]

[e-mail]

Will MacLaren, Smiths Group

[phone]

[e-mail]

Media enquiries

Anthony Cardew, Cardew Group

[phone]

[e-mail]

Financial adviser

James Dawson, Gleacher Shacklock LLP

[phone]

Tim Shacklock, Gleacher Shacklock LLP

[phone]

Smiths Group is a global technology company listed on the London Stock Exchange (SMIN) and operates a sponsored level one ADR programme (SMGZY). A world leader in the practical application of advanced technologies, Smiths Group delivers products and services for the threat & contraband detection, medical devices, energy and communications markets worldwide. Our products and services make the world safer, healthier and more productive. Smiths Group employs around 23,000 people in over 50 countries. For more information visit www.smiths.com.

Smiths Detection is a leading global designer and manufacturer of sensors that detect and identify explosives, weapons, chemical agents, biohazards, nuclear and radioactive material, narcotics and contraband. Its range of detection technologies, including X-ray, trace detection and infra-red spectroscopy helps customers in the global transportation, ports and borders, critical infrastructure, military and emergency responder markets.  Smiths Detection generated annual sales of £467 million for the year to 31 July 2015 and has over 2,150 employees worldwide.  Smiths Detection's manufacturing centres are located in Germany, France, Malaysia, USA and the UK, and its products are sold in over 200 countries.

Disclaimer

This announcement contains certain statements that are forward-looking statements. They appear in a number of places throughout this announcement and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations and those of our officers, directors and employees concerning, amongst other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the business we operate. By their nature, these statements involve uncertainty since future events and circumstances can cause results and developments to differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this announcement and, unless otherwise required by applicable law, Smiths Group undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements. Nothing in this document should be construed as a profit forecast.

No statement in this announcement is intended to be a profit forecast and no statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings per Smiths Group ordinary share for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per Smiths Group ordinary share.  Prices and values of, and income from, shares may go down as well as up and an investor may not get back the amount invested.  It should be noted that past performance is no guide to future performance.  Persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.  Any statement to the effect that the Acquisition is expected to be earnings enhancing for Smiths Group should not be interpreted to mean that earnings per Smiths Group ordinary share in the first full financial year following the Acquisition, nor in any subsequent period, will necessarily match or be greater than those for a preceding financial year.

Gleacher Shacklock LLP ("Gleacher Shacklock"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting exclusively for Smiths Group and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement, and will not be responsible to anyone other than Smiths Group for providing the protections afforded to clients of Gleacher Shacklock or for providing advice in relation to matters set out in this announcement or any offer or arrangements referred to herein.

 

END

 

 

ACQIBMATMBTTMPF