Goodrich Corporation, Charlotte, NC, is planning a tax-free spin-off of the company's Engineered Industrial Products
business to shareholders. This transaction will create two publicly traded companies by early 2002 with distinct products
and markets. Application will be made to list the new shares on the New York Stock Exchange. The spin- off is expected to
be completed in early 2002.
The new industrial company, a supplier of sealing technologies, compressor systems and
specialty industrial bearings, is expected to have annual revenues of $800 million in 2002, including the full-year contribution
of the Glacier Industrial Bearings acquisition. It also will manufacture engines used in naval ships, locomotives and
electric power plants, and a variety of other products. The company will have 5,000 employees worldwide with a portfolio of
brands including Garlock, Quincy, Stemco, Fairbanks Morse and Glacier.
According to the plan, Goodrich shareholders
will receive one share in the new industrial company for every five Goodrich shares they own as of the record date for the
distribution. Goodrich will treat its Engineered Industrial Products segment, which it acquired in 1999 with the Coltec Industries
merger, as a discontinued operation beginning in the third quarter of 2001.
Ernest F. Schaub, the COO of the Engineered
Industrial Products segment will become the CEO and a director of the new company, and William R. Holland, the former chairman
of United Dominion Industries and a current member of the Goodrich Board of Directors, will become the company's non-executive
chairman. In addition, Michael J. Leslie, currently group president, Sealing Products, in the industrial segment, will become
COO. The name of the new industrial company, which will be headquartered in Charlotte, NC, will be announced.
Commenting
on the spin-off plan, chairman and CEO David L. Burner said, 'We are taking this action to enhance shareholder value. By establishing
two independent companies, investors will be better able to evaluate the investment merits of our aerospace and industrial
businesses in light of their respective performance and opportunities versus peer companies. Each company will be better able
to focus on the needs of their own customers and markets.'
From a financial perspective, the new industrial company
will include substantially all the assets and liabilities of the Engineered Industrial Products segment, including the associated
asbestos liabilities and related insurance. Goodrich expects to offer to exchange the outstanding Coltec public debt and trust
preferred securities obligations for similar Goodrich securities prior to the spin-off. Assuming that these exchange offers
are fully subscribed, the new company will have total debt of approximately $190 million at the time of the spin-off. The
Goodrich Board of Directors plans to review its dividend policy prior to the spin-off for appropriate alignment with the growth
profile and investment opportunities of the new Goodrich.
Goodrich Corporation will continue as a premier global supplier
of aerospace components, systems and services with expected revenues in excess of $4.2 billion for 2001 and a strong history
of profitable growth. Commenting on Goodrich's future prospects, Burner said, 'We have built one of the most admired, diverse
and best-performing aerospace companies in the world. The mix of our business in terms of products, markets, customers and
the original equipment/aftermarket balance underscores our ability to continue to grow profitably on a sustained basis. In
addition, we have a rich portfolio of technologies that we are leveraging in a variety of non-aerospace markets to enhance
our growth prospects.'
According to Schaub, 'Over the last two years as part of Goodrich, our industrial businesses
have been strengthened considerably. We have made important acquisitions, invested in new products, and implemented Goodrich's
successful strategic planning, lean manufacturing, quality and innovation processes. Various restructuring activities have
also been completed or are under way to streamline our cost structure and improve efficiency. As a result, these businesses
continue to perform well financially in a difficult economic environment and are well-positioned for the future. These accomplishments
speak to the fundamental strengths of the industrial businesses, the quality of our people and the opportunities we will have
as a financially strong, stand-alone company.'
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