Rockwell Collins to Acquire B/E Aerospace for $8.3 Billion in Total Consideration

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa & WELLINGTON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL), a global leader in high-integrity solutions for aerospace and defense, and B/E Aerospace (NASDAQ: BEAV), the world’s leading manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior products, today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Rockwell Collins will acquire B/E Aerospace for approximately $6.4 billion in cash and stock, plus the assumption of $1.9 billion in net debt.

Under the terms of the agreement, each B/E Aerospace shareowner will receive total consideration of $62.00 per share, comprised of $34.10 per share in cash and $27.90 in shares of Rockwell Collins common stock, subject to a 7.5% collar. This represents a premium of 22.5% to the closing price of B/E Aerospace common stock on Friday, October 21, 2016.

The transaction combines Rockwell Collins’ capabilities in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, simulation and training, and information management systems with B/E Aerospace's range of cabin interior products, which include seating, food and beverage preparation and storage equipment, lighting and oxygen systems, and modular galley and lavatory systems for commercial airliners and business jets.

The acquisition significantly increases Rockwell Collins’ scale and diversifies its product portfolio, customer mix and geographic presence. On a pro forma basis, Rockwell Collins would have nearly 30,000 employees, $8.1 billion in revenues and $1.9 billion in EBITDA for the twelve months ending September 30, 2016.

“This transformational acquisition is consistent with our strategy to accelerate growth and build value through market-leading positions in cockpit and cabin solutions,” said Kelly Ortberg, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rockwell Collins. “We see tremendous opportunity to better serve our commercial aviation, business jet and military customers through broader offerings.”

Ortberg continued, “B/E Aerospace has a leading position in nearly all the segments it serves and a highly visible, long-cycle backlog. Beyond new aircraft deliveries, its $12 billion installed base provides a strong flow of aftermarket retrofit opportunities that balances our current cyclical exposure to OEM production rates. Additionally, our combined portfolio uniquely positions us to integrate cabin products, smart network technologies and connectivity solutions to significantly enhance aircraft uptime and airline profitability while improving the experience of passengers and airline personnel.”

Ortberg added, “We expect to generate significant run-rate cost synergies and over $6 billion in free cash flow over the next five years with expected free cash flow conversion of greater than 100 percent. In addition, by leveraging our respective airline and OEM relationships, as well as Rockwell Collins’ business jet dealer network and military aircraft positions, we firmly believe there are revenue synergies that create meaningful upside to our business case.”

B/E Aerospace Founder and Chairman, Amin Khoury, stated, “Our combination with Rockwell Collins represents an excellent outcome for B/E Aerospace’s stockholders, who will receive an immediate premium as well as a substantial equity interest in a strong combined company with a broader range of products, customers, and the combined expertise and resources to create future value. We feel confident that this combination delivers significant long-term benefits neither company could realize on its own. We look forward to becoming part of Rockwell Collins and leveraging their technology to accelerate our long-term growth as we embark on the next chapter in the company’s history.”

Ortberg concluded, “I’m excited to welcome B/E Aerospace’s talented employees and bring together two industry leaders with complementary capabilities and strong reputations for innovation, quality and delivering sustained customer value.”

Significant cost synergies and additional benefits

The transaction is expected to generate run-rate pre-tax cost synergies of approximately $160 million ($125 million after tax). In addition, Rockwell Collins expects to make certain conforming purchase accounting adjustments resulting in improved pre-tax earnings of approximately $60 to $90 million per year for the first six years after the acquisition. The transaction is expected to be double-digit accretive to earnings per share in the first full fiscal year.

Transaction Terms and Financing

Under the terms of the agreement, B/E Aerospace shareholders will receive $34.10 per share in cash and a number of Rockwell Collins shares of common stock equal to $27.90, with such number of shares of Rockwell Collins common stock determined based on the volume weighted average closing price of Rockwell Collins common stock for the 20 trading days ending on the day prior to closing (provided that this volume weighted average price is no less than $77.41 and no greater than $89.97 per share). If the volume weighted average price of Rockwell Collins common stock during this period is above $89.97, the stock portion of the consideration will be fixed at 0.3101 shares of Rockwell Collins common stock for each share of B/E Aerospace, and if it is below $77.41 per share, the stock portion of the consideration will be fixed at 0.3604 shares of Rockwell Collins common stock for each share of B/E Aerospace.

Upon completion of the transaction, which is expected in the spring of 2017, current B/E Aerospace shareowners will own approximately 20 percent of the combined company.

Rockwell Collins expects to finance the cash portion of the transaction with debt financing, a significant portion of which has been committed. Upon completion of the transaction, Rockwell Collins is expected to maintain a strong investment grade credit rating with net debt of approximately $7.5 billion, and plans to maintain its current dividend policy. Rockwell Collins intends to pay down $1.5 billion of the new debt by the end of its fiscal 2019 while curtailing its share repurchase program to a level sufficient to offset dilution.

The transaction, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is subject to the approval of Rockwell Collins and B/E Aerospace shareowners, regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.

Governance

Upon close of the transaction, Rockwell Collins will increase the size of its Board to 11 members with the addition of two B/E Aerospace board members. Werner Lieberherr, CEO of B/E Aerospace, will become Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of a newly created aircraft interior systems segment for Rockwell Collins.

Advisors

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as financial advisor to Rockwell Collins and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom served as legal counsel. Citigroup and Goldman, Sachs & Co. served as financial advisors to B/E Aerospace and Shearman and Sterling LLP served as legal counsel.

Separately today, Rockwell Collins issued its fourth quarter 2016 financial results and B/E Aerospace issued its third quarter 2016 financial results. Due to the pending Rockwell Collins and B/E Aerospace transaction, both Rockwell Collins and B/E Aerospace have canceled their previously scheduled earnings conference calls and webcasts.

For more information about the transaction, visit http://rockwellcollins.acquisitionannouncement.com.

About Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative aviation and high-integrity solutions for both commercial and government applications. Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, simulation and training, and information management is delivered by a global workforce, and a service and support network that crosses more than 150 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com.

About B/E Aerospace

B/E Aerospace is the world’s leading manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior products. B/E Aerospace designs, develops and manufactures a broad range of products for both commercial aircraft and business jets. B/E Aerospace manufactured products include aircraft cabin seating, lighting systems, oxygen systems, food and beverage preparation and storage equipment, galley systems, and modular lavatory systems. B/E Aerospace also provides cabin interior reconfiguration, program management and certification services. B/E Aerospace sells and supports its products through its own global direct sales and product support organization. For more information, visit the B/E Aerospace website at www.beaerospace.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

The Non-GAAP EBITDA information included in this press release is believed to be useful to investors’ understanding and assessment of the combined Company. The Company does not intend for the information to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures. The table below explains the EBITDA calculation in more detail for the twelve-month period from October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016.