Rebrand to Copeland Reflects 100-Year Legacy of
Leadership in HVAC and Refrigeration Technology and Solutions
Sustainable Climate Solutions Leader Positioned
for Next Phase of Growth with Enhanced Focus on Innovation to
Transform How People Live and Work
Emerson Receives Approximately $9.7 Billion in
Upfront, Pre-Tax Cash Proceeds and $2.25 Billion Seller’s Note;
Retains 40% Common Equity Ownership
Blackstone (NYSE: BX) and Emerson (NYSE: EMR) today announced
that private equity funds managed by Blackstone (“Blackstone”) have
completed the previously announced acquisition of a majority stake
in Emerson’s Climate Technologies business in a transaction valuing
the business at $14.0 billion. This closing marks a significant
milestone in the HVAC and refrigeration (HVACR) industry leader’s
journey to advance the next generation of climate technologies.
The new standalone business will be named Copeland – building on
the brand’s 100-year legacy, global recognition and influence
across the HVACR industry. As a standalone company focused on
serving the global HVACR market, Copeland’s product portfolio
includes market-leading compressors, controls, thermostats, valves,
software and monitoring solutions for residential, commercial and
industrial customers. Copeland had fiscal 2022 net sales of $5.0
billion.
“Copeland has long been a pioneer in the HVAC and refrigeration
industries with unmatched capabilities in engineering, design and
innovation,” said Ross B. Shuster, Chief Executive Officer of
Copeland. “With the focus that comes from being a standalone
company, and the support of our shareholders, Blackstone and
Emerson, we plan to extend the company’s leadership position in the
industry and develop new and integrated climate technology
solutions. The Copeland business is made up of over 18,000 talented
team members, who are aligned and committed to developing
technologies and solutions that drive decarbonization at scale,
accelerate the global trend of electrification and deliver greater
value for our customers and end users.”
Copeland is poised to build on its iconic brand and trusted
expertise to shape the future of climate technology. The company’s
products, expertise and innovation play a key role in improving the
energy efficiency of heating and cooling solutions – including the
rapidly growing market for electric heat pumps and climate-friendly
refrigerants, which are seeing strong demand and global adoption
given their potential to reduce the environmental impact and carbon
emissions of HVAC systems.
“Copeland has grown into the market leader in supplying critical
components for residential, commercial and industrial climate
control solutions, and we are thrilled to support its next phase of
growth as a world-class standalone company,” said Joe Baratta,
Global Head of Blackstone Private Equity. “Leveraging Blackstone’s
long track-record of successful large-scale corporate partnerships,
we look forward to working with the Copeland and Emerson teams to
accelerate the company’s profitable, long-term growth. We’re
confident in the runway ahead to advance Copeland’s industry
leading position by delivering even more innovative,
energy-efficient solutions to support its customers’ carbon
reduction efforts.”
“We are pleased to complete this significant transaction, an
important milestone in Emerson’s portfolio transformation into a
cohesive global automation leader,” said Lal Karsanbhai, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Emerson. “The upfront proceeds from
this transaction allow Emerson to advance our portfolio in
attractive, higher-growth automation markets, while our remaining
non-controlling investment enables Emerson to benefit from
Copeland’s future upside under Blackstone’s ownership, until we
exit the business. With our focused portfolio, we are bringing
comprehensive automation products, software and solutions to a
diverse set of end markets, driving operational excellence and
enhancing value creation for Emerson shareholders.”
Copeland will continue to operate from St. Louis, while
maintaining a global footprint to serve customers in Europe, Latin
America, Asia, Middle East and Africa.
Learn more about Copeland’s sustainable solutions at
Copeland.com.
Ownership and Financial Details Copeland is owned by a
joint venture between Blackstone and Emerson. Under the final terms
of the purchase agreement, Blackstone will have a controlling
ownership interest of 60% of Copeland, up from 55% when the
transaction was announced.
Pursuant to the terms of the transaction, Emerson received
upfront, pre-tax cash proceeds of approximately $9.7 billion at
close, an increase of $0.2 billion from when the transaction was
announced given Blackstone’s decision to purchase an additional 5%
of the common equity. Emerson’s continuing investment in the
business is composed of a seller’s note with a face value of $2.25
billion and 40% non-controlling common equity ownership with a
transaction value of $1.7 billion.
Advisors Centerview Partners LLC and Goldman Sachs &
Co. LLC served as financial advisors to Emerson, and Davis Polk
& Wardwell LLP served as legal counsel, and Baker McKenzie LLP
served as international legal advisor. Barclays served as lead
financial advisor to Blackstone. Guggenheim Securities, LLC and
Evercore also provided financial advisory services to Blackstone.
The ABL revolver, TLB and Senior Secured Notes were led by Wells
Fargo, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Barclays, respectively. Simpson
Thacher & Bartlett LLP acted as legal counsel to
Blackstone.
About Copeland Copeland, a global provider of sustainable
climate solutions, combines category-leading brands in compression,
controls, software and monitoring for heating, cooling and
refrigeration. With best-in-class engineering and design and the
broadest portfolio of modulated solutions, we’re not just setting
the standard for compressor leadership; we’re pioneering its
evolution. Combining our technology with our smart energy
management solutions, we can regulate, track and optimize
conditions to help protect temperature-sensitive goods over land
and sea, while delivering comfort in any space. Through
energy-efficient products, regulation-ready solutions and
expertise, we’re revolutionizing the next generation of climate
technology for the better. For more information, visit
Copeland.com.
About Blackstone Blackstone is the world’s largest
alternative asset manager. We seek to create positive economic
impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we
invest in and the communities in which we work. We do this by using
extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve
problems. Our $991 billion in assets under management include
investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public
equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, liquid and
private credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global
basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com.
Follow @blackstone on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
About Emerson Emerson (NYSE: EMR) is a global technology
and software company providing innovative solutions for the world’s
essential industries. Through its leading automation portfolio,
including its majority stake in AspenTech, Emerson helps hybrid,
process and discrete manufacturers optimize operations, protect
personnel, reduce emissions and achieve their sustainability goals.
For more information, visit Emerson.com.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements Statements in
this press release that are not strictly historical may be
“forward-looking” statements, which involve risks and
uncertainties, and none of Blackstone, Emerson or Copeland
undertakes any obligation to update any such statements to reflect
later developments. These risks and uncertainties include the
companies’ ability to successfully complete on the terms and
conditions contemplated, and the financial impact of, the proposed
transactions referenced herein, the scope, duration and ultimate
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict,
as well as economic and currency conditions, market demand,
including related to the pandemic and oil and gas price declines
and volatility, pricing, protection of intellectual property,
cybersecurity, tariffs, competitive and technological factors,
inflation, among others, as set forth in Blackstone and Emerson’s
most recent Annual Reports on Form 10-K and subsequent reports
filed with the SEC.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230531005966/en/
For Copeland:
Libby Panke Libby.Panke@fleishman.com 314-719-7521
For Blackstone:
Matt Anderson Matthew.Anderson@blackstone.com 212-390-2472
Mariel Seidman-Gati Mariel.Seidmangati@blackstone.com
646-482-3712
For Emerson:
Investors Colleen Mettler 314-553-2197
Media Jim Golden / Joseph Sala / Tanner Kaufman Joele
Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher 212-355-4449
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