SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC (EPA:SU) - Schneider Electric, partnering with Temasek, has reached an agreement to buy Larsen & Toubro’s Electrical & Automation business and will combine it with its Low Voltage & Industrial Automation Products business in India

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01/05/2018 13:26

Financial information

Schneider Electric, partnering with Temasek, has reached an agreement to buy
Larsen & Toubro's Electrical & Automation business and will combine it with its
Low Voltage & Industrial Automation Products business in India

Key highlights:

* Combined business well-positioned to serve the fast-growing Indian Energy
  Management and Industrial Automation Market

* Transaction to combine Schneider Electric's strong global technology
  platform, digital offers and global presence with L&T Electrical &
  Automation's wide domestic reach, coupled with end-to-end R&D and
  manufacturing capabilities specific to Indian market

* Make in India: Post transaction, India to become one of the key innovation
  and manufacturing hub for India as well as for global markets.

* India becomes the third largest country in terms of revenues for Schneider
  Electric, at par with France

* Strong shareholder base: Schneider Electric and Temasek to own combined
  business with 65% and 35% shareholding respectively

Rueil-Malmaison (France), May 1, 2018: Schneider Electric, the global leader in
digital transformation of energy management and automation today announces the
signing of an agreement with Larsen and Toubro Ltd. ("L&T"), a leading
conglomerate in India to buy its Electrical and Automation business ("L&T
E&A")(1) and combine it with Schneider Electric India's Low voltage and
Industrial Automation Product business(2) (the "Combined Business"). Temasek,
an investment company headquartered in Singapore, will invest in the combined
business and will hold 35% of it.

(1) L&T will retain the Marine business in India and Servowatch in UK, which is
currently operating under the E&A domain and together represent c. 2-3% of E&A
revenues
(2) Schneider Electric India Private Limited

L&T E&A is a recognized player in the Energy Management and Industrial
Automation business in India led by an experienced management team. It offers
low and medium voltage switchgear, electrical systems & equipment, energy
management, metering and industrial automation solutions. It benefits from an
extensive ecosystem of partners covering more than 260 cities in India. It has
an efficient local manufacturing footprint with 5 manufacturing locations in
India along with robust local R&D capabilities. The company is also present in
the Middle-East and South-East Asia markets. L&T E&A has over 5,000 employees,
excluding Marine Switchgear and Servowatch Systems.

India is the third largest economy in Asia Pacific and sixth largest in the
world with c.US$ 2.6 trillion GDP. It is also the fastest growing large economy
globally with an expected 2018 GDP growth rate of 7.4% (based on IMF data).
With strong growth in the buildings and infrastructure segments coupled with
growth in industrial manufacturing driven notably by the Indian Government's
program to develop industries through 'Make in India', the market is expected
to grow high-single digit to double-digit(3) for energy management offers and
double-digit(3) for industrial automation offers over the coming years. The
combined business of Schneider Electric's Low Voltage and Industrial Automation
Product business and L&T E&A will be uniquely positioned to benefit from these
trends.

Schneider Electric is committed to investing in India's growth, with its
businesses being present in India since 1963. With this transaction, India will
become the third largest country for Schneider Electric in terms of revenues
(c. EUR1.6bn), at par with France.

Temasek is a global investor anchored in Asia, with India accounting for around
5% of its S$275b net portfolio value based on underlying assets, as at 31 March
2017. Temasek's investment deepens its exposure to India, as well as to the
industrial sector. Temasek and Schneider Electric both recognize India's
significant growth opportunities, further accentuated by the Indian
Government's "Make in India" policy. Make in India seeks to promote growth in
the domestic market, establish India as a strong R&D hub and enhance production
capabilities to service the Indian market and new economies, using India as a
hub. With this combination, Schneider Electric and Temasek are establishing a
company with scale, efficiency and channel partner outreach across India. It
will offer innovative products and solutions to Indian customers, bringing
differentiation in a dynamic and competitive market having many major global
and local low voltage switchgear players.

The combined business with more than EUR1bn in revenues will create significant
synergies and efficiencies by leveraging on the complementary businesses of
Schneider and L&T E&A business, including:

* utilization of L&T E&A's R&D set up with capability to locally develop
  products suited for India and other new economies with Schneider's global
  technology and best practices;
* wide range of products and technologically superior solutions to the Indian
  consumers across portfolios and price points;
* widespread network of distributors/ channel partners and extensive
  geographical reach across India, enabling Schneider access to consumers in
  tier 2 and tier 3 cities and semi-urban and rural areas across India, where
  Schneider Electric currently has a limited presence;

(3) Source: Frost and Sullivan, Market reports and company estimates.

* enhanced manufacturing footprint in India which will result in greater
  domestic production, reduced dependence on imports and increased employment
  opportunities;
* developing India as the "fourth" hub for Schneider globally (the other three
  being US, France and China) to cater to the growing Indian market as well as
  develop India as global markets;
* expertise in additional segments within industries, infrastructure and
  construction; and
* strong organizational capability of L&T E&A to execute integrated electrical
  and automation projects with custom engineered solutions. Apart from
  creating a stronger solution capability in the organization, it will also
  create strong demand for products of combined business from projects.

The combined business will therefore offer a comprehensive portfolio of
products and solutions in India at competitive prices, for large partners and
customer base in many segments, across geographies.

As part of the contemplated transaction, L&T E&A would be acquired for an
Enterprise Value (EV) of INR 14,000 Cr (c. EUR1.75bn)(4). Based on Schneider
Electric's estimate, this reflects a multiple of c. 2.5x sales and c. 15x(5)
the estimated EBITDA in Fiscal Year 2019 (ending March 2019), taking into
account an EBITDA margin expectation of c. 15% for Fiscal Year 2019 (ending
March 2019), in line with the last 12 months(6) to December 2017.

The combined business would be held through a joint venture wherein Schneider
Electric and Temasek would hold respective ownership of 65% and 35%. To get to
this respective ownership, and assuming a cash-free and debt free acquisition
of L&T E&A:

> Schneider Electric would contribute
* equity of INR 3,425 Cr. (c.EUR430m)(7) in cash
* its existing Low Voltage and Industrial Automation Products business in
   India contributed at a valuation multiple broadly comparable to the
   acquisition multiple of L&T E&A and representing a premium to the Group's
   valuation multiple

> Temasek would contribute
* equity of INR 5,075 Cr. (c.EUR635m)(7) in cash

The joint venture would also carry debt financing amounting to INR 5,500 Cr.
(c.EUR690m) to fund the balance of the L&T E&A acquisition. The Board
composition proposed for this joint venture would include a Chairperson and
five directors appointed by Schneider Electric, and three non-executive
directors appointed by Temasek.

The transaction will provide significant revenues and costs synergies expected
to generate INR c.300 Cr. (c. EUR40m) yearly in EBITDA with a five-year ramp
up. With the synergies at their run rate, the acquisition multiple for L&T E&A
would be c.11x the estimated Fiscal Year 2019 EBITDA. Transaction costs are
expected to be in the range of EUR20-30m and integration costs are expected to
be in the range of 1 to 1.5x the amount of synergies. The Combined Business
would be fully consolidated on completion in the Group's accounts.

(4) Translated at a 3-month rate of 80 INR for 1 EUR (INR 8 Crores (Cr.) for 1
million euros)
(5) Enterprise value adjusted for tax assets of c. EUR140m
(6) Publicly available information based on Larsen & Toubro quarterly investor
presentations
(7) Amounts assuming a cash-free and debt free acquisition of L&T E&A and can
vary depending on closing debt and working capital adjustments

This transaction is focused on the core, in line with the Group's capital
allocation policy. It is expected to meet the return criteria set by the Group,
with an expected accretion of Adjusted EPS(8) in the first year and with an
expected return on capital employed matching the WACC (Weighted Average Cost of
Capital) in the third-year post closing. The deal is subject to customary
approvals from the Competition Commission of India and other regulatory
authorities and is expected to close once regulatory approvals are in place.

Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Schneider Electric, Chairman and CEO stated, "By bringing
together the Low Voltage and Industrial Automation Products Business of
Schneider Electric India and L&T E&A, we are creating an innovative company in
Energy Management and Industrial Automation in one of world's largest and
fastest growing economies - India. Our market reach in India will be further
strengthened by the extensive ecosystem of partners of E&A and we will harness
the strengths of both organizations to address the electrical and automation
requirements of India and global market. India will become our third largest
business in the world, and one of our four major R&D and manufacturing global
hubs. Our combined company will actively contribute to make India green,
digital, and reinforce its role as a center for R&D and manufacturing. We are
pleased to partner with Temasek which brings a tremendous expertise of Asian
markets."

Schneider Electric will host a conference call on the transaction on May 2nd at
8:30am CET

Dial in details:

Confirmation Code: 8205796

Location                            Phone Number
France, Paris                       +33 (0)1 76 77 22 74
Germany, Frankfurt                  +49 (0)69 2222 13420
Switzerland, Zurich                 +41 (0)44 580 7206
United Kingdom, Local               +44 (0)330 336 9105
United States, Los Angeles          +1 323-794-2094

(8) Adjusted for Purchase price allocation and one-time cost linked to the
transaction

About Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric is leading the Digital Transformation of Energy Management
and Automation in Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and
Industries. With global presence in over 100 countries, Schneider is the
undisputable leader in Power Management - Medium Voltage, Low Voltage and
Secure Power, and in Automation Systems. We provide integrated efficiency
solutions, combining energy, automation and software. In our global Ecosystem,
we collaborate with the largest Partner, Integrator and Developer Community on
our Open Platform to deliver real-time control and operational efficiency. We
believe that great people and partners make Schneider a great company and that
our commitment to Innovation, Diversity and Sustainability ensures that Life Is
On everywhere, for everyone and at every moment.www.schneider-electric.com

Follow us on: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, YouTube, SETV,
blog.schneider-electric.com

About Temasek

Incorporated in 1974, Temasek is an investment company headquartered in
Singapore.

Supported by its global network of international offices, Temasek owns a S$275
billion (US$197b, EUR184b, £158b, RMB1.35t) portfolio as at 31 March 2017,
with significant exposure to Singapore and the rest of Asia. Our investment
activities are guided by four investment themes and the long term trends they
represent: Transforming Economies; Growing Middle Income Populations; Deepening
Comparative Advantages; and Emerging Champions. Our investment strategy allows
us to capture opportunities across the sectors in which we invest that help
bring about a better, smarter and more connected world. We actively seek
sustainable solutions to address present and future challenges. Across the
three pillars of the Temasek Charter, we recognise the need to do well as an
investor; to do right as an institution; and to do good as a steward.

For more information on Temasek, please visit www.temasek.com.sg

For the latest Temasek Review, please visit www.temasekreview.com.sg

Connect with us on social media: Facebook (temasekholdings); Twitter
(@Temasek); Instagram (@temasekseen) and LinkedIn (Temasek Holdings)

Investor Relations
Schneider Electric
Amit Bhalla
Tel: +44 20 7592 8216
www.schneider-electric.com
ISIN : FR0000121972

Press Contact :
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Tel : +33 (0)1 41 29 70 76
Fax : +33 (0)1 41 29 88 14

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Olivier Labesse
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Fax : +33 (0)1 40 70 90 46

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25/04/2024 07:29

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC (EPA:SU) - Schneider Electric, partnering with Temasek, has reached an agreement to buy Larsen & Toubro’s Electrical & Automation business and will combine it with its Low Voltage & Industrial Automation Products business in India

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