Acquisition Will Strengthen Plastics Molding
Capabilities and
Expands Reach in Growing EV Market
TORONTO, Aug. 23,
2023 /CNW/ - ABC Technologies Holdings Inc. (TSX:
ABCT) ("ABC Technologies", "ABC" or the "Company"), a leading
manufacturer and supplier of custom, highly engineered, technical
plastics and lightweighting innovations to the global automotive
industry, today announced it has entered into an agreement to
acquire an automotive business in North
America to be renamed Plastikon Automotive. The business is
currently part of Plastikon Industries. Plastikon Automotive is a
Tier One and Tier Two automotive interiors, assemblies and electric
vehicle (EV) battery housing supplier.
Plastikon Automotive was founded over 40 years ago and operates
three facilities in the United
States; Hayward, CA;
Austin, TX; and Leitchfield, KY. With approximately 900
employees, Plastikon Automotive's full-service portfolio ranges
from the production of battery module housings, injection molding
headliners, door assemblies, center console assemblies and cluster
meters. Plastikon Automotive's technical expertise covers injection
molding, compression molding, plastics welding, wrapping and
fusing, adhesive bonding, painting and robotic assembly. Plastikon
Automotive's fiscal 2022 revenue was approximately US$280 million.
"Welcoming Plastikon Automotive into ABC Technologies will
represent a significant step forward for our company," said
Terry Campbell, President and CEO,
ABC Technologies. "It amplifies our position as an industry leader
in lightweighting and plastic injection molding, gives ABC a
stronger foothold in the EV space, and most importantly, provides a
new set of employees with opportunities to play larger roles in
molding the future of mobility."
The purchase price is US$130
million and the transaction is expected to close in the
third calendar quarter of 2023 subject to the satisfaction of
customary closing conditions. The acquisition is being financed
through a drawdown under the Company's credit facility. Scotia
Capital and TD Securities acted as financial advisors to ABC
Technologies. Stifel acted as financial advisor to Plastikon. Paul,
Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is serving as legal
counsel to ABC Technologies. Morrison & Foerster LLP served as
legal counsel to Plastikon.
About ABC Technologies
ABC Technologies is a leading manufacturer and supplier of
custom, highly engineered, technical plastics, and light weighting
innovations to the North American light vehicle industry, serving
more than 25 original equipment manufacturer customers globally
through a strategically located footprint. ABC Technologies'
integrated service offering includes manufacturing, design,
engineering, material compounding, machine, tooling, and equipment
building that are supported by an experienced team of skilled
professionals (including professional practicing engineers and
additional employees with technical diplomas or at least 15 years
technical working experience serving in other technical engineering
roles) and approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. Figures
represent the Company prior to the closing of the Plastikon
Automotive acquisition. The Company offers three product groups:
Interior Systems, Exterior Systems, and HVAC, Fluids & Other.
ABC Technologies' head office address is 2 Norelco Drive,
Toronto, Ontario M9L 2X6.
Forward Looking
Statements
This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements"
concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances,
performance or expectations with respect to the Company and its
operations, including its strategy and financial performance and
condition. Forward-looking statements include statements that are
predictive in nature, depend upon future events or conditions, or
include words such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans",
"believes", "estimates", "intends", "targets", "projects",
"forecasts", "schedule", or negative versions thereof and other
similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as "may",
"will", "should", "would" and "could". Forward-looking statements
contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, the
anticipated timing for completion of the transaction and the
expected benefits of the transaction to ABC, including the
anticipated impact on the Company's position and capabilities in
lightweighting and plastic injection molding segments and reach in
the EV space. Forward-looking statements are based on underlying
assumptions and management's beliefs, estimates and opinions, and
are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future
expectations generally that may cause actual results to vary from
plans, targets and estimates. Forward-looking information is based
on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the
factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's
Annual Information Form for the financial year ended June 30, 2022 dated September 28, 2022 which is available under the
Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company
cautions readers that actual results may vary significantly from
those expected should certain risks or uncertainties materialize or
should underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Forward-looking
statements are provided for the purpose of providing information
about management's current expectations and plans relating to the
future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be
appropriate for other purposes. The Company disclaims any intention
or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as required by law.
Caution Regarding Plastikon
Automotive's Financial Information
This press release contains certain selected financial
information regarding Plastikon Automotive for the financial
year ended December 31, 2022. This
selected financial information has been derived from Plastikon
Automotive's unaudited financial statements and related information
for the relevant period. Such unaudited financial statements have
been prepared using U.S. GAAP, which is a different accounting
basis than International Financial Reporting Standards (or, IFRS),
the accounting standard the Company uses to prepare its own
financial statements. The Company has not independently verified
this financial information relating to Plastikon Automotive
and does not assume any responsibility or liability for the
verification, accuracy or completeness of such information. Undue
reliance should not be placed on the financial information related
to Plastikon Automotive contained herein.
SOURCE ABC Technologies Holdings Inc.