Rolls-Royce to Remain A Diversified Engine Maker

LONDON—Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC on Tuesday signaled its commitment to remain a diversified engine maker ahead of an investor briefing to outline restructuring measures after a series of profit warnings.

Chief Executive Warren East, who took over as head of Rolls-Royce in July, is to present the findings of an operational review Tuesday afternoon.

The review "highlighted a number of areas where we can simplify the way we work, inject pace into our decision-making and responsiveness, and improve our operational gearing and operational effectiveness," the company said in a statement.

Mr. East has repeatedly stressed the review was focused on operations. Strategic decisions, such as whether to divest business lines, weren't on the agenda, he has said, after concerns were raised its land and sea engines business are a drag on its aerospace activities.

U.S. activist investor ValueAct Capital Management LP has become Rolls-Royce's largest shareholder and is seeking a seat on the company's board, Rolls-Royce has said. The London-based company last week disclosed ValueAct now holds more than 10% of its shares.

The maker of engines for Boeing Co. and Airbus Group SE airliners said its medium to long-term outlook remained strong and included a "focused power systems portfolio" that would deliver growth and cash generation.

Ian Davis, Rolls-Royce's chairman, said the new chief executive "is recommending clear and decisive actions which we fully support and we are committed to ensuring he has the right resources at the highest level to deliver these changes."

Rolls-Royce reaffirmed it expects cost savings of 150 million pounds ($226.9 million) to £ 200 million a year from 2017.

Rolls-Royce said earlier this month its earnings outlook for next year had worsened and it may cut its dividend, prompting the worst selloff in the company's stock in 15 years. The company has struggled to deliver on cost-cutting efforts and been hit by weakening demand for some civil aircraft engines, its largest profit contributor.

Rolls-Royce billed the changes as a "major restructuring" that would streamline management and make it more accountable, reduce fixed costs and expedite decision making. "This is fundamental to ensuring Rolls-Royce best positions itself to compete for the long-term opportunities before us," Mr. East said.

The company said there was "clear areas for business improvement" including its complex business model. There are also investment opportunities to strengthen its position in some markets, Rolls-Royce said, without providing details.

Write to Robert Wall at [e-mail]

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November 24, 2015 07:35 ET (12:35 GMT)

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