Emerson to Buy Pentair Valves-and-Controls Unit for $3.15 Billion -- 2nd Update

By Josh Beckerman 

Emerson Electric Co. has agreed to buy Pentair PLC's valves-and-controls unit for $3.15 billion, part of a strategy to expand its automation offerings.

The Schaffhausen, Switzerland, business has nearly 7,500 employees and serves sectors including chemicals, energy, power and mining. Its brands include Anderson-Greenwood, Crosby and Vanessa. Pentair said revenue for the unit was $1.8 billion in 2015.

The Wall Street Journal reported in June that Pentair was working with Citigroup Inc. on a possible sale of the business, potentially for more than $2 billion. The business was acquired as part of a $4.5 billion deal with Tyco International Ltd. in 2012.

The transaction is expected to close in four to six months.

In after-hours trading, Emerson shares were flat at $54.67, while Pentair rose 41 cents to $66.94.

In June 2015, Emerson announced a plan to reposition itself, including the spinoff its network-power business and the potential sale of part of its industrial-automation group.

In lieu of a spinoff, Emerson said on Aug. 2 that it would sell the network-power unit to investors including Platinum Equity for about $4 billion. Emerson will retain a subordinated interest in the business. Emerson also agreed to sell its motors, drives and electric power generation business to Japan's Nidec Corp. for $1.2 billion. At the time, Emerson Chief Executive David Farr said the company was pursuing acquisitions.

Emerson's second-quarter sales fell 7% to $5.1 billion, a decline the company attributed to issues including global uncertainty and weak energy markets.

Pentair said the sale will help it focus on its three remaining segments: water quality systems, flow and filtration solutions, and technical solutions.

Pentair's second-quarter sales increased 4% to $1.73 billion. The company said results were at the high end of its expectations.

Write to Josh Beckerman at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 18, 2016 20:10 ET (00:10 GMT)

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