Lear signs definitive agreement to acquire Eagle Ottawa, the world’s leading supplier of automotive leather

Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA), a leading global supplier of automotive seating and electrical distribution systems, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Eagle Ottawa.  

Eagle Ottawa is the world’s largest supplier of automotive leather with a rich 150-year history and stable private ownership for nearly 50 years.  The company has an experienced management team, modern facilities, a low-cost footprint, diversified customers and a reputation for superior quality, product innovation and craftsmanship.  Eagle Ottawa will complement Lear’s leading position in luxury and performance automotive seating.  The transaction is valued at $850 million on a cash and debt free basis.  Lear intends to fund the transaction through a combination of cash on hand and debt.  The closing of the transaction is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2015 subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals.  Lear expects the transaction to be approximately 5% accretive to annual earnings per share upon closing.  

“The acquisition of Eagle Ottawa is another important step in strengthening our core seating business, expanding our component capabilities and accelerating profitable sales growth,” said Matt Simoncini, Lear’s President and CEO. “This transaction will further enhance Lear’s position as a global leader in automotive seating and will create significant value for our shareholders.  Eagle Ottawa adds global leather design and development resources as well as technical expertise to our existing surface materials capabilities.  Eagle Ottawa will also enhance the level of craftsmanship and design options that we are able to provide to our customers and increase opportunities for sales growth and diversification.”

Eagle Ottawa is the largest global supplier of automotive leather, with annual sales of approximately $1 billion.  Eagle Ottawa has a balanced geographic customer mix, with an industry leading position in North America and Asia and also a top supplier position in Europe.  Eagle Ottawa has strong relationships with virtually all of the major global automakers, including BMW, Daimler, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Renault/Nissan and Toyota.

The acquisition of Eagle Ottawa fits Lear’s previously stated acquisition strategy and financial targets:

Strategic Fit

Strengthens Lear’s Seating business with increased component capabilities 

Complements Lear’s existing seat fabric and cut-and-sew operations 

Provides Lear with additional premium leather capabilities 

Enhances craftsmanship and Lear’s ability to offer a high level of customization 

Provides opportunity for incremental sales growth 

Further diversifies Lear’s customer mix 

Consistent with Lear’s capital allocation strategy to invest for profitable growth, maintain a strong and flexible balance sheet and return cash to shareholders

Supports Lear’s Financial Targets

Acquisition made at a fair market valuation and expected to be immediately accretive 

Consistent with Lear’s stated gross leverage target of 1.5x EBITDA 

Lear intends to continue to return cash to shareholders; at the end of the second quarter, Lear had approximately $600 million in remaining share repurchase authorization

The transaction is expected to deliver sales and operating synergies.  By combining design, product development and manufacturing capabilities in leather, fabric and our cut-and-sew operations, we will be able to provide improved quality and craftsmanship, while reducing cost for our customers.  

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. and Guggenheim Securities are serving as Lear’s financial advisors, and Winston & Strawn is serving as its legal counsel.