Schneider Electric to acquire 50% of Electroshield – TM Samara, and strengthen its position in medium voltage and in Russia

Release Date: 2010-10-20

Rueil-Malmaison (France), October 20, 2010 - Schneider Electric announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire 50% of Electroshield – TM Samara, the leader in medium voltage products and solutions in Russia, with key positions in oil & gas, power generation and electro-intensive industries.

Electroshield – TM Samara operates across Russia and in the neighboring Central Asian countries, employing approx. 7,000 people in Russia and Uzbekistan. It is expected to generate revenues in excess of RUB 17.0 billion (~€ 425 million) for the current year, with an EBITA margin close to the Group’s average.

Electroshield – TM Samara is a leader on the Russian market for medium voltage equipment with a strong commercial presence in the East of Russia and excellent market access to oil & gas, power generation and electro-intensive industries.

With this acquisition, Schneider Electric will strengthen its position in Russia in terms of customer reach, local industrial footprint, research & development capabilities and technical design competencies. Besides, the Group will attain the leading position on the fast growing Russian medium voltage market and further consolidate its global leadership in this field.

Michel Crochon, Executive Vice-President of Schneider Electric’s Energy business, comments: “This acquisition reaffirms our ambition in Russia, and extends our regional capabilities, in line with our strategy to become a leader in new economies. We are very enthusiastic to reinforce our technologies, solutions and customer access in our Energy business”.

The purchase price for the 50% of the company is RUB 10.7 billion (~ € 265 million) on a debt-free cash-free basis, or 1.3x 2010 expected sales. The acquisition will be consolidated under the equity accounting method.

Subject to certain conditions and antitrust approval, Schneider Electric could obtain full ownership of the company under similar financial conditions for the remaining 50%. This acquisition is expected to be accretive on earnings per share from year 1 and to beat Schneider Electric’s WACC in year 3.

Source: Schneider Electric

Type:

NORMAL