MIDDLETON, Wis. – Spectrum Brands Holdings has signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire Armored AutoGroup Parent Inc. from Avista Capital Partners for $1.4 billion in cash and assumed debt.
Armored AutoGroup is a consumer products company consisting primarily of the renowned Armor All and STP brands, two of the most recognizable brands in the automotive aftermarket appearance products and performance chemicals/additives categories, as well as the market-leading A/C PRO brand in the DIY automotive air conditioner recharge category.
According to Amored AutoGroup, Armor All has the No. 1 U.S. market share in the appearance products category with its line of protectants, wipes, tire and wheel care products, glass cleaners, leather care products, air fresheners and washes. A/C PRO holds the No. 1 U.S. position in the DIY air conditioner recharge category. STP has the No. 3 U.S. market share in the performance chemicals category and offers a line of oil and fuel additives, functional fluids and automotive appearance products for a wide array of customers ranging from professional racers to car enthusiasts to DIY consumers.
Armored AutoGroup is expected to generate net sales of more than $440 million and adjusted EBITDA in excess of $140 million for the calendar year ending Dec. 31, 2015. The company said this includes synergies from its acquisition of the A/C PRO business from IDQ Acquisition Corp. in March 2014, other synergies and organic growth.
Nearly 80 percent of Armored AutoGroup’s annual revenues are generated in the U.S., primarily through auto retailers, mass merchandisers, home improvement centers and dollar stores.
The acquisition is expected to increase Spectrum Brands’ top-line growth and margins and be accretive to adjusted EPS and adjusted EBITDA before synergies in the first full fiscal year following the closing of the transaction. In addition, the acquisition is expected to add more than $60 million of free cash flow in the first full fiscal year after closing, including acquisition, integration and interest costs.
The $1.4 billion cash purchase price and associated transaction fees and expenses are expected to be funded through a combination of new debt and approximately $500 million of Spectrum Brands common stock, including equity to be purchased by HRG Group Inc. As part of the transaction, Spectrum Brands has received debt financing commitments from Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and Jefferies.
“This is a very exciting acquisition for Spectrum Brands that adds renowned brands with top market share positions in growing and highly profitable automotive aftermarket categories,” said Andreas Rouvé, CEO of Spectrum Brands Holdings. “Armored AutoGroup sells into many of the same retail channels as our current businesses, increases our presence in home improvement centers and gives us an additional platform for global growth using our broad international infrastructure. It provides consumers and retailers with best-in-class, do-it-yourself automotive solutions, and enjoys category leadership, high brand awareness, and opportunities for additional operational efficiencies as a part of Spectrum Brands.
“We remain committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet,” Rouvé added. “Given our company’s strong and growing free cash flow, along with the significant incremental free cash flow to be generated by Armored AutoGroup, we expect to delever quickly.”
David Maura, chairman of the board of Spectrum Brands, said, “This is a terrific business that we believe will be highly and immediately accretive to our company right out of the box. Armored AutoGroup’s brands are virtually synonymous with auto appearance, detailing and maintenance, both here and around the world. The addition of Armored AutoGroup is fully consistent with our acquisition strategy of buying and building high brand equity businesses, with strong margin structures, and significant free cash flow generation with the opportunity to reinvest in and grow the business both here in the U.S. and around the globe. We are confident we are allocating capital efficiently with this transaction and as we realize significant revenue and cost synergies, we expect to create meaningful incremental equity value for our shareholders. Post the closing of this transaction, we intend to use our growing free cash flow stream to rapidly delever our balance sheet as we have done with previous transactions of this size.”
Following the closing of the transaction, Armored AutoGroup is expected to operate as a separate division within Spectrum Brands, reporting to Rouvé.
The transaction has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of Spectrum Brands and approved by the board and by shareholders of Armored AutoGroup, and is expected to close before the end of Spectrum Brands’ fiscal third quarter on June 30, 2015, subject to receipt of applicable regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
