EnerSys Completes Acquisition Of Bren-Tronics To Expand Presence In Critical Defense Applications

Rhea-AI Summary

EnerSys (NYSE: ENS), the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, has completed its acquisition of Bren-Tronics for $208 million in an all-cash transaction. This strategic move strengthens EnerSys' position in the military and defense end markets, expanding its lithium product offerings. Bren-Tronics, a leading manufacturer of portable power solutions for military applications, reported 2023 sales of approximately $100 million. The acquisition, representing 8.7x Bren-Tronics' adjusted EBITDA for 2023, is expected to be immediately accretive to EnerSys. The integration of Bren-Tronics into EnerSys' Specialty line of business aims to accelerate growth, revenue, and profitability, supporting EnerSys' fiscal year 2027 targets.

Positive

• Acquisition strengthens EnerSys' position in military and defense markets
• Expands lithium product offerings
• Immediately accretive to EnerSys
• Bren-Tronics reported $100 million in sales for 2023
• Supports EnerSys' growth towards fiscal year 2027 targets

Negative

• Significant cash outlay of $208 million for the acquisition

Insights

Financial Analyst

EnerSys' acquisition of Bren-Tronics for $208 million is a strategic move that could significantly impact the company's future performance. The deal's valuation at 8.7x Bren-Tronics' adjusted EBITDA seems reasonable, considering the potential synergies and growth opportunities in the defense sector.

Key financial implications include:

• Immediate accretion to EnerSys' earnings, suggesting potential for rapid value creation.
• Addition of approximately $100 million in annual sales, boosting EnerSys' top line.
• Expansion of EnerSys' lithium product offerings, which could lead to higher margins and improved profitability.

However, investors should monitor the integration process closely, as successful mergers often hinge on effective post-acquisition management. The impact on EnerSys' balance sheet and any potential debt incurred for this all-cash transaction should also be scrutinized in upcoming financial reports.

Overall, this acquisition aligns with EnerSys' strategic goals and could accelerate its progress towards its fiscal year 2027 targets, potentially enhancing long-term shareholder value.

Defense Industry Analyst

EnerSys' acquisition of Bren-Tronics is a calculated move to strengthen its position in the lucrative defense market. This strategic purchase offers several advantages:

• Enhanced product portfolio: Bren-Tronics' expertise in small and large format lithium batteries complements EnerSys' existing offerings, potentially leading to a more comprehensive suite of power solutions for military applications.
• Expanded global presence: With Bren-Tronics' operations in the U.S., France and the U.K., EnerSys gains additional footholds in key defense markets.
• Technological edge: Bren-Tronics' legacy of innovation since 1973 could infuse EnerSys with valuable intellectual property and R&D capabilities.

The defense sector's increasing reliance on advanced power systems for portable and mobile applications makes this acquisition particularly timely. As military forces worldwide modernize their equipment, demand for high-performance, reliable energy solutions is likely to grow.

However, the defense industry is known for its complex procurement processes and long sales cycles. EnerSys will need to navigate these challenges effectively to fully capitalize on this acquisition. Additionally, the company should be prepared for potential scrutiny related to foreign ownership of defense technology, given Bren-Tronics' international presence.

Technology Integration Specialist

The integration of Bren-Tronics into EnerSys' Specialty line of business presents both opportunities and challenges from a technological standpoint:

• Product synergies: Combining EnerSys' industrial energy storage expertise with Bren-Tronics' military-grade portable power solutions could lead to innovative hybrid products that serve multiple markets.
• R&D collaboration: The merger of two innovation-driven companies may accelerate the development of next-generation energy storage technologies, particularly in the realm of lithium-based solutions.
• Supply chain optimization: Integrating Bren-Tronics' supply chain with EnerSys' existing network could yield efficiencies and cost savings, potentially improving margins.

However, technology integration often faces hurdles:

• System compatibility: Aligning Bren-Tronics' IT systems, design software and manufacturing processes with EnerSys' existing infrastructure may require significant time and investment.
• Cultural adaptation: Merging the innovation cultures of a smaller, specialized firm with a larger can be challenging and may require careful management to preserve Bren-Tronics' agility and creativity.
• Regulatory compliance: Ensuring that the combined entity meets all regulatory requirements for defense contracts across multiple jurisdictions will be crucial.

The success of this acquisition will largely depend on EnerSys' ability to seamlessly integrate Bren-Tronics' technological assets while maintaining the unique value propositions of both companies.

READING, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- EnerSys (NYSE: ENS), the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Bren-Tronics. The acquisition of Bren-Tronics marks a significant milestone in EnerSys’ strategic growth and expansion initiatives.

“We are very pleased to have closed this important transaction and can officially welcome Bren-Tronics to the EnerSys family,” said EnerSys President & CEO David M. Shaffer. “EnerSys’ combination with Bren-Tronics will strengthen our position as a critical enabler of the energy transition and supports our growth in the attractive and growing military and defense end markets.”

Shaffer added, “Our acquisition will accelerate EnerSys’ transformation in expanding our lithium product offerings, growing revenue and profitability and advancing toward our fiscal year 2027 targets.”

Bren-Tronics, headquartered in Commack, N.Y., was previously a privately held company and has developed a legacy of innovation since 1973. Bren-Tronics is a leading manufacturer of highly reliable portable power solutions, including small and large format lithium batteries and charging solutions, for military and defense applications. It has approximately 280 employees across the U.S., France, and the U.K., with 2023 sales of approximately $100 million. Bren-Tronics will be integrated within EnerSys’ Specialty line of business.

EnerSys purchased Bren-Tronics for an all-cash transaction of $208 million. The purchase price represents approximately 8.7x Bren-Tronics’ adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ending December 31, 2023. The transaction will be immediately accretive to EnerSys.

EnerSys will provide further updates on the strategic and financial benefits of the acquisition as well as integration plans during its first quarter fiscal 2025 earnings call scheduled for August 8, 2024, at 9:00 AM (ET). A live broadcast as well as a replay of the earnings call can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.investor.enersys.com.

Reed Smith LLP served as legal advisor to EnerSys in connection with the transaction.

Stout, a global advisory firm, served as financial, tax, and IT advisor to EnerSys in connection with the transaction.

Related information: Press Release, May 2, 2024 — EnerSys to Acquire Bren-Tronics to Expand Presence in Critical Defense Applications

About EnerSys

EnerSys is the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications and designs, manufactures, and distributes energy systems solutions and motive power batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor equipment enclosure solutions to customers worldwide. The company goes to market through four lines of business: Energy Systems, Motive Power, Specialty and New Ventures. Energy Systems, which combine power conversion, power distribution, energy storage, and enclosures, are used in the telecommunication, broadband and utility industries, uninterruptible power supplies, and numerous applications requiring stored energy solutions. Motive power batteries and chargers are utilized in electric forklift trucks and other industrial electric powered vehicles. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, large over-the-road trucks, premium automotive, medical and security systems applications. New Ventures provides energy storage and management systems for various applications including demand charge reduction, utility back-up power, and dynamic fast charging for electric vehicles. EnerSys also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers in over 100 countries through its sales and manufacturing locations around the world. To learn more about EnerSys please visit www.enersys.com/en/

About Bren-Tronics

Bren-Tronics is a leading manufacturer of rechargeable batteries for the Military and several other critical markets, including Directed Energy, Robotics, and High Energy applications. Bren-Tronics is a one-stop shop for its customers’ energy needs, from R&D to comprehensive testing, including certification, first article, and UN safety testing, and all the way through manufacturing. To learn more about Bren-Tronics, please visit www.bren-tronics.com/

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements which, to the extent that they are not recitations of historical fact, may constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements may include financial and other projections as well as statements regarding EnerSys’ future plans, objectives, performance, opportunities, revenues, capabilities, growth, progress, profits, operating costs or EnerSys’ underlying assumptions. The words “would,” “should”, “could,” “will,” “likely,” “possibly,” “expects”, “expected,” “anticipate’, “intend,” “estimate,” “target,” “probably,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “continue,” “plans,” “planned”, “look forward to” and “are looking forward to” or other similar words and phrases may identify forward-looking statements. Persons reading this press release are cautioned that such statements are only predictions, and that EnerSys’ actual future results or performance may be materially different.

Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results, events or developments, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed, implied or anticipated by such forward-looking statements, and our business and financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In addition to factors previously disclosed in EnerSys’ reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), such factors include, among others, EnerSys’ or the acquired companies’ respective businesses may not perform as expected due to transaction-related uncertainty or other factors; that the parties are unable to successfully implement integration strategies; reputational risks and the reaction of the companies’ customers and employees to the transaction; diversion of management time on acquisition-related issues; the integration of acquired business with EnerSys may take longer than anticipated or be more costly to complete and that the anticipated benefits, including any anticipated cost savings or strategic gains may be significantly harder to achieve or take longer than anticipated or may not be achieved. All forward-looking statements and information set forth herein are based on management’s current beliefs and assumptions as of the date hereof and speak only as of the date they are made. EnerSys does not undertake to update forward-looking statements.

Although EnerSys does not make forward-looking statements unless it believes it has a reasonable basis for doing so, EnerSys cannot guarantee their accuracy. The foregoing factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements. No undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements.

For a complete discussion of the assumptions, risks and uncertainties related to EnerSys’ business, you are encouraged to review its filings with the SEC, including the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by quarterly or other reports subsequently filed with the SEC.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240725544069/en/

Lisa Hartman

Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

EnerSys

610-236-4040

E-mail: investorrelations@enersys.com

Source: EnerSys

FAQ

What is the value of EnerSys' acquisition of Bren-Tronics?

EnerSys acquired Bren-Tronics for $208 million in an all-cash transaction.

How will the Bren-Tronics acquisition impact EnerSys (ENS) financially?

The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to EnerSys and supports the company's growth, revenue, and profitability targets for fiscal year 2027.

What are Bren-Tronics' annual sales figures?

Bren-Tronics reported sales of approximately $100 million for 2023.

How does the acquisition price compare to Bren-Tronics' EBITDA?

The $208 million purchase price represents approximately 8.7x Bren-Tronics' adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ending December 31, 2023.

What markets will EnerSys (ENS) expand into with the Bren-Tronics acquisition?

The acquisition will expand EnerSys' presence in military and defense end markets, particularly in portable power solutions and lithium batteries for defense applications.