SKF and Kaydon Corporation have agreed that SKF will acquire Kaydon in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately USD 1.25 billion, including USD 95 million of net debt. The transaction will be paid through existing cash and credit lines and will be accretive to SKF earnings in year one.

Tom Johnstone, SKF president and CEO, explains, “We have followed the development of Kaydon for a long time. They have a strong product portfolio, strong management and a solid financial performance and I am delighted that they will soon be part of the SKF Group. The complementary nature of their products and technologies, their geographical and customer presence and their manufacturing footprint will enable us to even better serve our customers and distributors in the industrial market worldwide. In particular this acquisition, combined with our other activities, investments and acquisitions in the last few years, shows our strong commitment to the North American market.”

Kaydon is a diversified industrial manufacturer with three distinct business areas:  friction control products (bearings), velocity control products and specialty products, including environmental services. Kaydon has a global footprint with 62 percent of its sales generated in North America, 24 percent in Europe, 12 percent in Asia Pacific and 2 percent in the rest of the world. In 2012, the company had sales of USD 475 million, with an adjusted operating profit of around 16% and has over 2,100 employees.

James O’Leary, chairman and CEO of Kaydon Corporation commented, “Our Board believes that the proposed transaction represents a compelling value for our shareholders. We believe that this transaction represents an excellent strategic fit for Kaydon that will allow our market leading businesses to accelerate their growth strategies by joining forces with SKF, a global industry leader.”

SKF will launch an all-cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of Kaydon. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, which has been unanimously approved by both companies’ boards of directors, SKF will commence a tender offer to purchase all of Kaydon’s outstanding shares for USD 35.50 per share in cash. The tender offer will commence on 16 September, 2013 and is subject to customary terms and conditions, regulatory clearances, including the tender of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Kaydon common stock. Upon completion of the tender offer, SKF will acquire all remaining shares through a short form merger.