Rolls-Royce offloads Spanish business in £1.45bn deal
Rolls-Royce has agreed a £1.45bn deal to sell its ITP Aero business to a private equity-led consortium.
Bain Capital is heading a group of Spanish and Basque companies, including SAPA and JB Capital, in a deal which will see the ITP Aero remain a supplier to Derby-based Rolls-Royce.
ITP Aero will be an independent business led by current CEO Carlos Alzola with headquarters and decision making remaining in Zamudio, Spain.
Earlier this year, Rolls-Royce’s former site at Hucknall, Nottingham, was integrated into the ITP Aero business, with a plan to include the site “in the short term”.
The proposed sale is a key element of Rolls-Royce’s disposal programme, announced on 27 August 2020, to raise proceeds of at least £2bn.
Warren East, CEO, Rolls-Royce, said: “Today’s announcement is a significant milestone for our disposal programme as we work to strengthen our balance sheet, in support of our medium-term ambition to return to an investment grade credit profile. This agreement represents an attractive outcome for both Rolls-Royce and ITP Aero and we are also grateful to the Spanish and Basque Governments for the constructive discussions we have held with them during the process. The creation of an independent ITP Aero is a great opportunity for the company, its people and other stakeholders. A financially, technologically, and industrially strong ITP Aero is also vital to Rolls-Royce. The company will remain a key strategic supplier and partner for decades to come. We believe we have selected new owners willing to support the business for the long-term and build on its successful track record. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Carlos and our colleagues at ITP Aero in the future.”
Carlos Alzola, CEO, ITP Aero, said: “This transaction is a significant moment for all of us at ITP Aero. We will be able to further strengthen our position in the aerospace industry, continue to provide high levels of innovation and service to our customers and expand our business to capture significant growth opportunities. All of us at ITP Aero are eager to start the next chapter of our story as an independent company with a strong strategic plan and financial support behind us – building on our 30 years of success – to create a global leader in aerospace that is headquartered in the Basque Country in Spain. Our success is built on the effort of all of our colleagues around the world and I would like to thank each of them for their continued dedication.”
Ivano Sessa, managing director, and Tobias Weidner, a principal at Bain Capital Private Equity, said: “ITP Aero has a great track record in an industry which is vital to the global economy, with attractive long-term growth potential. We see significant potential in further accelerating ITP Aero’s growth trajectory and investments in new technologies. Together with our partners SAPA and JB Capital we think we bring a unique understanding and ability to support ITP Aero. We look forward to working with ITP Aero’s management, employees and other stakeholders including the Spanish and Basque governments to realise the significant growth potential that ITP Aero has as an independent company.”
In the year ended 31 December 2020, ITP Aero reported revenues of €735m and underlying EBIT of €40m.
