Joy Global and Komatsu's product lines will integrate well, expanding options for customers worldwide — Photo courtesy Joy Global Komatsu Ltd. (Head
Joy Global and Komatsu's product lines will integrate well, expanding options for customers worldwide — Photo courtesy Joy Global
Komatsu Ltd. (Head office: Minato-ku Tokyo, President and CEO: Tetsuji Ohashi, hereafter "Komatsu" or "Company") has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with Joy Global Inc. (Head office: Wisconsin, USA, CEO: Edward L. Doheny II, hereafter "Joy Global", NYSE), a leading manufacturer of surface and underground mining equipment, under which Komatsu America Corp. (Head office: Illinois, USA, Chairman and CEO: Rodney Schrader, hereafter "KAC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Komatsu in the USA, will acquire 100% ownership of Joy Global (hereafter "Acquisition"). The Acquisition is expected to close in mid- 2017, subject to the approval of shareholders of Joy Global and the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals under laws in relevant countries.
Komatsu embarked in April on a mid-range management plan for the next three years (2016-2018) under the slogan "Together We Innovate GEMBA Worldwide – Growth Toward Our 100th Anniversary (2021) and Beyond". The Acquisition is in line with the growth strategy of the plan which calls for the Company to strengthen the core mining equipment business in an effort to achieve sustainable growth.
Joy Global is a worldwide mining machinery and services company founded in 1884. Through its leading brands -- P&H, Joy and Montabert – Joy Global manufactures and services advanced original equipment and parts for underground and surface mining applications, as well as material handling systems and components for a variety of applications, products that complement existing Komatsu products. The company's integrated technology, services and solutions are a critical component of operations in a variety of commodity markets including energy, hard rock and industrial minerals. The company operates globally and generates an annual revenue of 3,172 million US dollars (approximately 333 billion yen at @105yen/U$).
Komatsu has engaged in the mining equipment business since its foundation in 1921. In the 1990s the Company expanded by acquiring selected mining equipment manufacturing and distribution businesses operating in major mining regions. Today, Komatsu's annual revenue of 450 billion yen from mining equipment business is generated by surface mining equipment only, as the Company's portfolio does not include equipment for underground mining. Further, the Company's product lineup does not include super large-sized loading equipment for surface mining.
Demand for mining equipment has declined dramatically from the peak, reflecting economic slowdown in emerging countries and low commodity prices. Over the long term, however, the mining equipment business is projected to grow, driven by population growth and rapid urbanization around the world. In terms of mining techniques, economic rationale will call for use of larger equipment in surface mining as well as further development of underground mining.
Joy Global and Komatsu's product lines will integrate well, expanding options for customers worldwide, as Komatsu can now offer the underground mining equipment and super large-sized loading equipment of which Joy Global is a leading provider. Both companies value a direct sales and service approach and will continue to engage with customers globally. Merging manufacturing technologies and linking products through Komatsu's fleet management system will further capabilities on both sides to directly engage with customers to optimize machine performance and enhance automation for safety and productivity gains. Komatsu will continue to offer Dantotsu products, Dantotsu services, and Dantotsu solutions to our customers to jointly create innovation in mining operations. (Dantotsu: Unique and unrivalled)
The corporate culture at Joy Global values pursuit of safety, improvement of customer productivity ($/ton reduction), and the drive for innovation. This is very similar to the corporate culture at Komatsu. Komatsu and Joy Global also share the approach of offering "direct sales/services" to customers, engaging with them directly to address issues at their jobsites. The Acquisition of Joy Global, which shares similar cultures, values and strategies with Komatsu, is expected to bring Komatsu the following two benefits.
1 — Complementary product lineup
Joy Global's lineup of surface mining equipment includes rope shovels, super large wheel loaders, draglines and drills which Komatsu does not offer. Joy Global's lineup of rope shovels and super large wheel loaders pair well with the super large electric dump truck Komatsu manufactures and will generate synergies in sales and services. In addition, Joy Global manufactures underground mining equipment, another area Komatsu has not engaged in. With the Acquisition, Komatsu will become a meaningful participant in underground mining as well. The Acquisition will allow Komatsu to offer Dantotsu products to customers in both surface mining and underground mining businesses.
2 — Stronger Dantotsu solution offerings
Joy Global places priority on providing solutions that enhance safety and productivity of customer operations. For example, JoySmart Solutions leverages the Internet of Things to connect customer products with experts using data and analytics to improve mine performance. Komatsu also engages in the improvement of safety and productivity with its Autonomous Haulage System, mine fleet management systems and KOMTRAX Plus, which all serve to visualize jobsite operations. Data obtained from IoT-based mining equipment and systems will be connected and used through the open platform of Komatsu and this will bring synergies in providing Dantotsu solutions to customers.
3 — Structure of the Acquisition
This Acquisition is structured as a reverse triangular merger between Joy Global and a wholly owned subsidiary KAC has established for the purpose of the Acquisition ("Acquiring Subsidiary"). Joy Global will be the surviving company and the shareholders of Joy Global will receive the cash payment as described below. At the same time, shares of the Acquiring Subsidiary owned by KAC will be converted into outstanding shares of the surviving company, making the surviving company the wholly-owned subsidiary of KAC. The Acquisition is subject to approval by the meeting of shareholders of Joy Global, receipt of necessary regulatory approvals under the applicable laws in relevant countries, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions stipulated in the Acquisition agreement. Under the Acquisition agreement, Komatsu guarantees the performance of obligations of KAC and the Acquiring Subsidiary.
Komatsu will acquire Joy Global for U$ 28.3 per share (total of approximately 2,891 million US dollars *(approximately 303.6 billion yen at 105yen/U$)). Komatsu plans to finance the Acquisition through funds on hand and bank loans and does not plan to increase capital at this stage.
