Hillenbrand, Inc. (NYSE: HI),a global diversified industrial company that makes and sells premium business-to-business products and services for a wide variety of industries, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Coperion Capital GmbH, a portfolio company of Deutsche Beteiligungs AG. The transaction is estimated at €408 million (US$530 million) and is expected to close in December or January, depending upon satisfaction of certain conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory approvals.

Based in Stuttgart, Germany, Coperion is a manufacturer of compounding, extrusion and bulk material handling equipment used in a broad range of industries, including plastics, chemical, food processing, pharmaceutical and aluminum, as well as related replacement parts and service. At the completion of this transaction, Coperion will become the largest company in Hillenbrand's Process Equipment Group. Coperion's headquarters will remain in Stuttgart, Germany.

"The acquisition of Coperion represents a very significant move forward for our company," said Hillenbrand CEO Kenneth A. Camp.  "Coperion is a highly respected company which is led by an exceptionally talented management team with extensive global experience," continued Camp.  "This transaction will enable us to capitalize on several opportunities in combined equipment sales, accelerated global expansion, and leveraging of replacement parts and service capabilities. Post closing, the Process Equipment Group will generate revenue of more than $1 billion and will represent about 2/3 of Hillenbrand's total revenue."

P&M Corporate Finance LLC is serving as financial advisor to Hillenbrand in the transaction, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is serving as its legal advisor.