EaglePicher is also actively pursuing opportunities that would leverage its advanced power storage technologies to serve the rapidly growing alternative energy market.
In fiscal year 2009, EaglePicher recorded revenues of approximately $125 million, of which approximately 60 percent came from its defense business, approximately 31 percent from its aerospace business and the balance from its medical and other businesses.
"The proposed acquisition of EaglePicher is a logical extension of our portable power platform and is another excellent example of the type of acquisition we seek to transform our business model," said Joseph M. Scaminace, OM Group’s chairman and chief executive officer. "Similar to the enhanced market position we’ve created for OMG in other key segments through our transformation strategy, we believe EaglePicher will provide us a strong and profitable base from which we can accelerate our growth in battery materials."
According to Scaminace, "As we went through our deliberate evaluation process, there were several critical factors that clearly established EaglePicher as a priority, including its recognized leadership position in profitable, established end markets; its strong and enduring customer relationships; and its broad R&D and technical expertise in sophisticated battery systems and a wide range of battery chemistries that will allow it to pursue emerging, high-growth markets.
"With EaglePicher, OM Group would not only balance its portfolio of high-quality, value-added materials with world-class, market-facing technologies, but would create an effective channel through which we could bring our various materials closer to the end user. As we have stated many times in the past when discussing our transformational strategy, migrating our materials forward along the value chain is a critical component of long-range growth imperative. With the help of Randy Moore, EaglePicher’s president, and his experienced and talented team, we believe we have taken a significant step forward towards this goal."
The proposed transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close by the middle of the first quarter of 2010. The transaction will be funded by OMG’s existing cash and credit facility.
EaglePicher Technologies, LLC is the leading producer of batteries and energetic devices for the defense, space and commercial industries, and provides the most experience and broadest capability in battery electrochemistry of any battery supplier in the United States.
EaglePicher Technologies offers a wide range of battery technology including thermal, nickel hydrogen, lithium carbonmono-fluoride, lithium thionyl chloride, lithium manganese dioxide, lithium sulfur dioxide, lithium ion, reserve lithium oxyhalide, custom battery assemblies and silver zinc batteries. It also provides other energy products and pyrotechnic devices for the defense industry, as well as advanced battery chargers and other power solutions for business, industrial and recreational applications.
OM Group, Inc. is a diversified global developer, producer and marketer of value-added specialty chemicals and advanced materials that are essential to complex chemical and industrial processes. Key technology-based end-use applications include affordable energy, portable power, clean air, clean water, and proprietary products and services for the microelectronics industry. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, OM Group operates manufacturing facilities in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa.
