AB Volvo divests Volvo Aero to British GKN for SEK 6.9 billion
company GKN for an enterprise value of SEK 6.9 billion.
“GKN is a strong new owner for Volvo Aero,” says Volvo’s CEO Olof Persson. “GKN
will provide Volvo Aero with the best possible conditions for continued
advancement in its industry.”
The transaction is scheduled for completion during the third quarter of 2012.The
transaction is expected to generate a capital gain corresponding to
approximately SEK 400 M, not taking into consideration the effect of deferred
depreciation of assets related to Volvo Aero in accordance with IFRS,
corresponding to SEK 200 M. Accordingly, the positive effect on the Group’s
operating profit for the third quarter is expected to be about SEK 200 M. The
divestment is expected to reduce the Group’s net debt by approximately SEK 5
billion. To close the transaction, approval is required from the appropriate
authorities.
At the end of November 2011 – in a step toward further refinement of the Volvo
Group’s focus on heavy commercial vehicles – AB Volvo initiated a process to
examine the possibility of finding a new owner for Volvo Aero. A basic premise
for the divestment of Volvo Aero has always been that the new owner must be able
to offer Volvo Aero a structure to enhance the company’s conditions for
advancement in its industry.
AB Volvo has since carried out discussions with a number of potential buyers.
“Volvo Aero has attracted considerable interest, but in our opinion, GKN can
offer the best conditions for Volvo Aero’s future advancement,” says Olof
Persson. “This transaction will improve our chances to further refine and
develop our core business in commercial vehicles, while providing Volvo Aero
with an owner that has both the drive and the capacity to advance and strengthen
the company.”
GKN plc is a global engineering company serving the automotive, aerospace and
land systems markets. Based in Great Britain it has operations in more than 30
countries and around 45,000 employees in subsidiaries and joint ventures. In
2011, GKN saw sales of £6.1bn, of which £1.5bn was accounted for by GKN
Aerospace.
