RBC Bearings Reached an Agreement to Acquire Dodge Mounted Bearings

On July 27, ABB announced the signing of a definitive agreement to sell its mechanical power transmission business unit (Dodge) to RBC Bearing Company for US$2.9 billion in cash.

The transaction will create a highly engineered, performance-oriented bearing and motion control component manufacturing company. The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of 2021, subject to completion conditions including regulatory approval.

ABB CEO Bjoern Rosengren announced in November last year that ABB will explore Dodge and its options for turbocharging units and power conversion businesses.

Investors hope that his strategy will solve ABB Group's structural problems and improve profitability. Dodge's products include mounting bearings, enclosed transmissions and bushings for industrial applications. As part of the acquisition of Baldor Electric Co. in 2011, ABB acquired the business.

For more than 140 years, Dodge has always been the market and technology leader in the fields of Mounted bearings with pillow block, gearboxes and mechanical power transmission components, providing a very wide range of mechanical power transmission product portfolios on the market, covering various industrial fields, such as mining, aggregates and Cement, storage and food and beverage industries.

Dodge has approximately 1,500 employees worldwide. As of June 30, Dodge had achieved sales revenue of approximately US$600 million in the past 12 months, of which more than 90% came from the Americas, and its operating profit margin before interest, tax and amortization was close to 23%. Dodge has six production bases, five of which are in the United States and one in China. Its headquarter is located in Greenville, South Carolina. The head of this business unit is Roger Costa.

Earlier news reported that both Schaeffler and Timken were considering bidding for ABB's mechanical power transmission business, but they were eventually acquired by the Royal Bank of Canada Bearing Company (RBC Bearing Inc.).

ABB Group CEO Robin Ang said: "We are very happy to find an outstanding new ownership for Dodge-RBC Bearings, where we will continue to write exciting development chapters.

This transaction will further strengthen ABB's balance sheet. Based on the priority of capital allocation, we plan to invest the proceeds of the transaction in organic growth first, pay a continuously growing dividend per share, and conduct value-based creative acquisitions. Next, we will announce a possible listing plan for exiting the turbocharging business and electric transportation business at an appropriate time. "

Dr. Michael J. Hartnett, Chairman, President and CEO of RBC Bearings, said: "Today, we are very pleased to announce that ABB and RBC Bearings have signed a Dodge acquisition agreement. This merger will enhance the strength, business layout and customer coverage of RBC Bearings. At the same time, it helps us enter Dodge’s attractive end market. Our two businesses are highly complementary. Dodge will bring new products, new end markets and larger organizations. The combined company will have a diversified customer base and The vast geographical layout is in a favorable position in the aerospace, defense and industrial markets. We look forward to the excellent team of Dodge to join RBC bearings."

ABB expects to include approximately US$2.2 billion in non-operating pre-tax book income through the sale of Dodge, and estimates that cash tax expenditures related to the transaction are approximately US$400 million.