Tyco International Ltd agreed to acquire a 75 per cent equity stake in privately-held KEF Holdings Ltd. for approximately US$300mn in cash.
The transaction is expected to close in early summer, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals.
KEF, based in the UAE, is a fully integrated valve manufacturer and one of the world's leading providers of steel castings to the oil and gas, chemical, mining and power industries.
"This acquisition is a further step in our strategy to strengthen our leadership position in our core security, fire and flow control platforms," said Tyco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ed Breen.
"The transaction provides our flow control business with a strategic manufacturing presence in the Middle East region while broadening our product portfolio for customers around the world," Breen added.
"This acquisition will enable us to better serve customers doing business across the region by drawing on the considerable strengths and deep experience of the KEF team in the areas of design, manufacturing and service," said Patrick Decker, President of Tyco Flow Control. "This move significantly enhances our footprint in the region and provides us with a platform for our future growth and expansion."
"This transaction aligns KEF with a highly respected global leader in valve manufacturing," said Faizal Kottikollon, KEF's founder and CEO, who will remain with the company in a leadership role following the transaction. "Tyco's product knowledge, operations expertise and advanced valve technology are a natural fit with KEF's local manufacturing and channels into the Middle East market, providing our customers an even higher level of customized choice and service."
KEF has 900 employees with revenue expected to be approximately US$140mn in the 2011 calendar year. The business is 55 per cent owned by Kottikollon who will retain a 25 percent equity stake in KEF following the close of the transaction. Dubai International Capital (DIC) holds the remaining 45 per cent of KEF and will sell its interest in the business as part of this transaction.
