Hubbell Reaches Agreement to Acquire Burndy

Aug. 13, 2009
Hubbell Inc. reported the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire FCI Americas, Inc. for consideration of $360 million in cash, subject to certain standard adjustments

Hubbell Inc. reported the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire FCI Americas, Inc. (the business known as “Burndy”) for consideration of $360 million in cash, subject to certain standard adjustments.

Burndy, headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire, is a leading North American manufacturer of connectors, cable accessories and tooling serving utilities as well as commercial and industrial customers. In 2008, Burndy generated sales of approximately $225 million with operating profit margins in the high teens. Products are primarily sold through distributors, the same channel used by Hubbell. Sales are roughly 63% Construction & Industrial and 37% Utility while the geographic split is approximately 75% in the U.S. and 25% in Canada, Brazil and Mexico.

Burndy was founded in 1924 and their brand has a long history representing quality, reliability, innovation and customer service. In 2008, Burndy won awards as supplier of the year from WESCO International, Inc. and Border States Industries, Inc. and received Graybar Electric Co., Inc.’s award for innovation. Burndy operates three manufacturing facilities in the Northeastern U.S., one in Brazil and one in Mexico.

Completion of the transaction is expected to be on or around October 1st, subject to certain conditions including expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. Hubbell is able to utilize available resources, including cash and commercial paper backed by an undrawn committed credit facility, to close the transaction. Additionally, the Company is actively evaluating available alternatives for permanent financing to best meet its capital structure objectives going forward.

“We believe Burndy is an outstanding fit with Hubbell. We are very excited about adding Burndy’s high quality product line to our portfolio,” said Timothy H. Powers, the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hubbell Incorporated. “Burndy has earned great respect over the years from distributors and end users and the brand is a natural complement to Hubbell’s positioning. We look forward to welcoming management and Burndy’s valued employees to the Hubbell family. Their emphasis on lean manufacturing and safety, as well as their strengths in engineering and customer service reinforce some of Hubbell’s core competencies. Financially, we expect Burndy to contribute to expanding our operating margin. We also expect to realize both sales and operating efficiencies as we integrate Burndy.”

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