ITT Corp. announced that its board of directors has unanimously approved a plan to separate the company's businesses into three distinct, publicly traded companies. Under the plan, ITT would execute tax-free spinoffs to shareholders of its water-related businesses and its Defense & Information Solutions segment. Following completion of the transaction, ITT will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange as an industrial company that supplies highly engineered solutions in the aerospace, transportation, energy and industrial markets. Under the plan, ITT shareholders will own shares in all three corporations following the completion of the transaction.
ITT senior management and its board of directors believe that these three businesses are well-positioned to create significant value for shareholders as standalone companies. ITT expects to finalize and execute the plan before the end of the year.
“For nearly a century, ITT has been known for transformative strategies that create value for customers and shareowners,” said Steve Loranger, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ITT. “In recent years, we have nurtured and grown our unique portfolio of businesses, which are now poised to emerge as three strong and focused standalone companies, with leading products and market positions, highly skilled employees and tremendous value-generating potential for shareowners. In today’s business environment, we believe this strategy is the best approach to unlock this value and position the three businesses to grow and serve customers as focused global companies. Each new company will be more nimble and able to build stronger, more intimate customer relationships to accelerate mutual success.”
Loranger continued, “We believe each of these future companies will be strategically well positioned for growth, nicely capitalized, with global capabilities, outstanding operating track records and world-class leadership. In addition, we believe the transformation plan will provide more focused opportunities for our employees, who will be instrumental in the future success of all three companies.”
Three Focused Businesses with Outstanding Growth Potential
A leading manufacturer of highly engineered industrial products and high-tech solutions:
Following completion of the spinoff, ITT Corp. will continue to be a diversified global manufacturer of highly engineered industrial products and high-tech solutions. Its global platform will include ITT’s current Industrial Process business, as well as its Motion Technologies, Interconnect Solutions and Control Technologies businesses. ITT Corp. will have leading market positions across an extensive portfolio of advanced technology industrial pumps, valves and control systems serving the oil and gas, mining, chemical, power generation, and pulp and paper markets. It will also have leadership positions in highly engineered products such as specialized and harsh-environment connectors, aerospace valves, actuators and components, as well as shock absorbers, brake pads and other energy absorption solutions. It is expected to have a revenue profile that is globally balanced. Its emerging-market growth prospects are outstanding, with nearly 60 percent of revenues coming from international operations and emerging markets.
Pro forma 2011 revenue for the future ITT Corp. is estimated at $2.1 B.
A global water technology leader:
Following completion of the spinoff, a highly attractive, standalone water technology corporation with a new corporate brand name will be formed through the combination of three of ITT’s current businesses: Residential & Commercial Water, Flow Control and Water & Wastewater (including biological, filtration and disinfection treatment and analytics). These businesses are already known for solid operating results, leading market positions and strong product brand awareness, positioning the new water technology company for significant growth. This company will be a global leader, with the broadest suite of innovative equipment, systems and applications. The portfolio will span the transport, testing and treatment of water -- focusing on the residential, commercial, municipal, agricultural, construction, building services, dewatering, beverage and leisure marine markets, as well as analytical instrumentation for water and wastewater, environmental, medical and beverage applications. The company is expected to benefit from an already strong installed base, driving attractive aftermarket opportunities, as well as a diverse global footprint with approximately 55 percent of revenues coming from international markets and strong emerging market growth prospects.
Pro forma 2011 revenue for the future water technology business is estimated at $3.6 B.
A highly engineered defense technology and information solutions provider:
Following completion of the spinoff, the existing Defense & Information Solutions segment will be renamed and rebranded as a new standalone company that is an industry-leading provider of innovative technologies and operational services to meet the enduring requirements of the global military, government and commercial customers. The company’s products and services will include premier technologies such as next generation night vision, integrated electronic warfare, networked communications, force protection, radar, global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, composite structures, space-based satellite imaging, weather and climate monitoring, and navigation and imaging systems, as well as maintenance, engineering and professional services. The business will continue to focus on growth beyond the core Department of Defense customer, with nearly 30 percent of revenues already coming from adjacent markets, such as air traffic management, information and cyber security as well as strong international growth prospects.
Pro forma 2011 revenue for the new defense and information solutions business is estimated at $5.8 B.
Each of the future companies is expected to have a capital structure, balance sheet and financial policies consistent with investment grade credit metrics. As it prepares for the transaction, ITT will continue to follow financial policies that are consistent with its current investment grade credit ratings.
