– ChemChina is a strategic and long-term orientated investor
– The transaction is expected to accelerate the growth of KraussMaffei Group
– KraussMaffei Group locations will remain; number of jobs expected to increase
– Management, works council and IG Metall welcome ChemChina as new owner
(Munich, January11, 2016) China’s leading chemicals group, China National Chemical Corporation (“ChemChina”), has agreed to acquire KraussMaffei Group from Onex Corporation (“Onex”) for a cash enterprise value of €925million. The transaction is subject to closing conditions including customary regulatory approvals. The KraussMaffei Group is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality machinery and systems for producing and processing plastics and rubber. The transaction is expected to accelerate the growth of the company considerably in light of potential business synergies. ChemChina together with GUOXIN International Investment Corporationand
AGIC Capital will make this acquisition.
ChemChina is a strategic and long-term oriented investor
“With ChemChina, we have found a strategic and long-term oriented investor who has been interested in our Company for many years,” said Frank Stieler, CEO of the KraussMaffei Group. The KraussMaffei Group will continue to operate in its current corporate structure.
“We are strengthening our company with one of the leading global engineering groups, encompassing a 178-year corporate history. In doing so, we expect that KraussMaffei Group will maintain its identity and independence,” said Jianxin Ren, Chairman of ChemChina. “We are investing in the Company’s strong management team and its technological expertise, which we believe will benefit our Chinese subsidiaries and position the chemical machinery business of ChemChina, which build and sell equipment for the rubber and chemical industry, to become a pioneer in achieving the “Made in China 2025” program which aims to enhance Chinese industry. The growth potential of the KraussMaffei Group is tremendous, especially through improved access to the Chinese market, which we can make possible. We expect trends in the automotive industry towards advanced manufacturing and lightweight components will provide a huge development opportunity for the high-end plastic injection molding industry.
Together, ChemChina and the KraussMaffei Group will be well positioned for future growth,” added Jianxin Ren.
Growth to accelerate considerably
“Following Onex’s acquisition in late 2012 KraussMaffei Group has achieved strong growth and had a very successful year in 2015. As part of ChemChina, we expect to considerably accelerate our growth strategy, especially in China and Asia, and to further strengthen the Company in Germany and Europe,” emphasized Stieler. In China, the Company is expected to benefit in particular from the trend towards higher quality and sustainability. The machines and systems of the three brands – KraussMaffei, KraussMaffei Berstorff and Netstal – are especially suited to meet more challenging customer requirements. As a result of the transaction, the KraussMaffei Group will be able to accelerate its planned expansion in China.
Locations remain – increase in jobs planned for Germany in 2016
“Accelerated growth will have a sustained positive impact for the Company globally. Our Company has a strong foundation and we will continue to build on our strengths, and create new jobs around the world,” said Stieler. Our brands KraussMaffei, KraussMaffei Berstorff and Netstal will always stand for highest quality and sustainability. The KraussMaffei Group’s headquarters will remain in Munich and the operating and corporate responsibility for the Company will stay in Europe. This applies in particular to production, technology, patents as well as research and development. The KraussMaffei Group will continue to operate as a German company with a Supervisory Board based on co-determination. All existing collective agreements and location-based commitments will remain unchanged. At present, the Company has approximately 4,500 employees globally, of which 2,800 are based in Germany. The Company intends to increase its workforce in 2016, including in Germany.
Works council and IG Metall welcome the change in ownership
The employee representatives and IG Metall welcome the planned change in ownership. “We consider the transaction as a significant opportunity for the KraussMaffei Group and its employees. We are confident that through further growth the existing jobs in Germany and Europe will be secured and expanded,” commented Peter Krahl, Chairman of the works council of the KraussMaffei Group. IG Metall is also supportive of the change in ownership. “This change comes at the right time for the Company and offers a good perspective for further growth,” said Horst Lischka, Company Representative of IG Metall responsible for Munich and member of the Chairman’s Committee of the Supervisory Board of the KraussMaffei Group. “I am pleased that the German principle of co-determination is also enjoying greater appreciation abroad as a foundation for sustainable corporate success,” he added.
ChemChina focuses on management expertise as well as on quality and value of the acquired companies
ChemChina is China’s largest chemicals group, having generated revenues of around €37 billion in 2015 with approximately 140,000 employees, of whom 45,000 are located outside China. The group operates internationally and has a global expansion strategy, having acquired or invested in companies in Italy, France, Norway, the UK and Singapore in the last few years with the most recent acquisition being the high-end tire manufacturer Pirelli. When it comes to equity investments, ChemChina focuses on exceptional management expertise as well as the quality and value of the acquired companies.
Following Onex’s acquisition in 2012 KraussMaffei Group has demonstrated sustained improvement in its financial and operational performance. In 2014, the Company generated revenues of approximately €1.1 billion and is expected to achieve year-on-year revenue growth of approximately 10 percent for 2015. “We thank Onex for constructively supporting our Company over the last three years, which has allowed us to achieve record performance in 2015 and has positioned the Company well for the future,” commented Stieler.
“Over the past several years we’ve worked closely with KraussMaffei Group’s management team to improve the performance of the company, further strengthening its leadership position in the global plastic and rubber processing industries,” said David Mansell, a Managing Director of Onex. “We’d like to thank all of KraussMaffei Group’s employees and management for their dedication and hard work,” added Mansell.
About KraussMaffei Group
The KraussMaffei Group is among the world’s leading suppliers of machinery and systems for producing and processing plastics and rubber. Its products and services cover the whole spectrum of injection and reaction molding and extrusion technology, giving the company a unique position in the industry. The KraussMaffei Group is
innovation-powered, supplying its products, processes and services as standard or custom solutions which deliver sustained added value along the customer’s value-adding chain. The company markets its offering under the
KraussMaffei, KraussMaffei Berstorff and Netstal brands to customers in the automotive, packaging, medical, construction, electrical, electronics and home appliance industries. Continuing a long tradition of engineering excellence, the international KraussMaffei Group currently employs around 4,500 people. With a global network of more than 30 subsidiaries and more than 10 production plants, supported by around 570 sales and service partners, the company is close to customers around the world. KraussMaffei has been headquartered in Munich since 1838.
For more information: www.kraussmaffeigroup.com
About ChemChina
ChemChina was established in 2004 on the basis of the affiliated enterprises of the former Ministry of Chemical Industry. Headquartered in Beijing, ChemChina is one of the largest chemicals groups in the People’s Republic of China with production, R&D and sales in 150 countries and regions. ChemChina is ranked 265th among the Fortune 500 companies and 9th in the global chemicals industry. ChemChina is primarily engaged in materials science, life sciences, high-end manufacturing and basic chemicals businesses. In the high-end manufacturing segment, the China National Chemical Equipment Corporation (“CNCE”) is active in the rubber and chemicals machinery businesses in China. ChemChina has successfully acquired 8 industry leading companies in France, the United Kingdom, Israel and Italy and others.
For more information: www.chemchina.com
About Onex
Onex is one of the oldest and most successful private equity firms. Through its Onex Partners and ONCAP private equity funds, Onex acquires and builds high-quality businesses in partnership with talented management teams. At Onex Credit, Onex manages and invests in leveraged loans, collateralized loan obligations and other credit
securities. The Company has approximately $22 billion of assets under management, including $6 billion of Onex’ proprietary capital, in private equity and credit securities. With offices in Toronto, New York and London, Onex invests its capital through its two investing platforms and is the largest limited partner in each of its private equity funds.
Onex’ businesses have assets of $36 billion, generate annual revenues of $24 billion and employ approximately 146,000 people worldwide. Onex shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the stock symbol OCX. For more information on Onex, visit its website at www.onex.com. The Company’s security filings can also be accessed at www.sedar.com.