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Lakeland Industries Completes Acquisition of LHD Group

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Lakeland Industries (NASDAQ: LAKE) has completed the acquisition of LHD Group Deutschland GmbH's fire and rescue business, along with its subsidiaries in Hong Kong and Australia, for approximately $16.3 million.

LHD generates around $27 million in annual revenue and has 111 employees globally.

The acquisition enhances Lakeland's presence in the global fire services market, expanding its reach in Germany, Australia, and Asia.

LHD's product range, including firefighter turnout gear and protective equipment, complements Lakeland's offerings.

The acquisition introduces new revenue streams through LHD's protective clothing maintenance services and retains LHD's skilled workforce.

Lakeland expects the acquisition to immediately contribute to its revenue growth and market expansion.

Positive
  • Acquisition of LHD Group for $16.3 million expands Lakeland's global footprint.
  • Adds $27 million in annual revenue from LHD's portfolio.
  • Enhanced product portfolio with LHD's firefighter gear and protective equipment.
  • Introduction of new recurring revenue streams from protective clothing maintenance services.
  • Retention and integration of LHD's 111 skilled employees.
  • Immediate accretive impact on Lakeland's revenue growth and market share.
Negative
  • Financial strain of $16.3 million acquisition cost.

The acquisition of LHD Group is a strategic move for Lakeland Industries aimed at strengthening its global presence and expanding its offerings in the fire services market. The all-cash transaction valued at approximately 16.3 million demonstrates Lakeland's commitment to investing in growth opportunities.

Financially, this acquisition is likely to be beneficial. With LHD generating annual revenue of 27 million, this will contribute significantly to Lakeland's topline. One aspect of interest is the emphasis on LHD's recurring revenue streams from their comprehensive protective clothing maintenance services. This can provide Lakeland with a more stable and predictable revenue, mitigating some volatility associated with one-time sales.

However, investors should also consider the integration risks. The success of this acquisition will depend on how seamlessly Lakeland can integrate LHD's operations and workforce across multiple geographies. Any significant disruptions could negatively impact the expected financial benefits. Additionally, it's important to monitor the impact of post-closing adjustments and holdback provisions on the final acquisition cost.

In the short-term, we can expect some integration costs, but if managed effectively, the acquisition should be accretive to earnings fairly quickly as stated by CEO Jim Jenkins. In the long-term, the expanded product portfolio and new markets could drive sustained growth.

This acquisition positions Lakeland Industries to capture a larger share of the global fire services market. By adding LHD's premium product and service offerings, Lakeland can now cater to key markets in Germany and Australia, known for their substantial investments in fire safety equipment.

From a market perspective, this acquisition is a logical step. The fire and rescue industry requires high-quality, reliable gear and LHD's reputation for premium turnout gear and maintenance services aligns well with this demand. Moreover, the introduction of fire suit maintenance services into Lakeland's offerings could prove to be a game-changer, providing a steady stream of recurring revenue which is highly attractive in this industry.

Another key benefit is the geographic expansion. By establishing a stronger presence in Germany and Australia, Lakeland can leverage LHD's existing customer base and local market knowledge to drive growth. The Asian market presence through Hong Kong also opens up new opportunities for market penetration in a region with increasing safety standards and demand.

However, competition in these markets is intense and Lakeland will need to differentiate itself through continued innovation and superior service to capitalize on these opportunities effectively.

Strategic Acquisition Enhances Lakeland's Global Presence and Fire Service Offering

HUNTSVILLE, AL / ACCESSWIRE / July 1, 2024 / Lakeland Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:LAKE), a leading global manufacturer of protective clothing for industry, healthcare, and first responders, announced today the successful completion of its acquisition of the fire and rescue business of LHD Group Deutschland GmbH and its subsidiaries in Hong Kong and Australia (collectively, "LHD") in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $16.3 million subject to post-closing adjustments and customary holdback provisions.

LHD is a leading provider of firefighter turnout gear, accessories, and personal protective equipment cleaning, repair, and maintenance, with an annual revenue of approximately $27 million. LHD has 111 employees worldwide and is headquartered in Wesseling, Germany, with operations in Hong Kong and Australia.

Strategic Rationale and Benefits:

  • Expansion of Global Fire Services Footprint: The acquisition significantly strengthens Lakeland's position in the global fire services market by adding LHD's premium product and services portfolio and complementary geographic footprint. This strategic move enhances Lakeland's ability to serve customers in Germany and Australia, two of the three largest fire markets in the world, as well as the Asian region, with an expanded range of high-quality fire and rescue gear and services.

  • Introduction of Fire Suit Services: LHD Care provide a holistic approach to protective clothing maintenance, including laundry services, repairs and sample production. This offering ensures the longevity and effectiveness of firefighting gear and introduces an attractive recurring revenue stream that Lakeland plans to leverage and expand.

  • Enhanced Product Portfolio: LHD's product range, which includes structural, wildland, and industrial fire and rescue gear, technical rescue equipment, and station wear, complements Lakeland's existing fire services offerings. This expanded portfolio allows Lakeland to better meet the diverse needs of firefighters and first responders worldwide.

  • Retention of Skilled Workforce: LHD's existing staff and core management team across Germany, Australia, and Hong Kong will remain in place and integrate with the global Lakeland team. This continuity ensures ongoing high-quality service and support for LHD's established customer base. In addition, Lakeland intends to enhance and expand LHD's sales team and product manufacturing capabilities.

Jim Jenkins, President, CEO and Executive Chairman of Lakeland, stated, "The completion of this acquisition accelerates our long-term growth strategy by significantly expanding our market share and global presence in the fire service industry. LHD's premium products and services align remarkably well with our existing portfolio and provides us with new opportunities to enhance our service offerings and revenue streams. We are excited about the market expansion and cross-selling opportunities this acquisition brings and are confident that it will be immediately accretive to Lakeland."

Maynard Nexsen and Noerr acted as legal advisors to Lakeland.

Lakeland Fiscal Year 2025 Updated Guidance and Outlook

This updated guidance is based on our current backlog of orders and current expectations, including the integration of LHD Group as of July 1, 2024. These metrics constitute forward-looking statements and are based on current expectations. For a discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these metrics, see "Safe Harbor Statement" below.

  • Revenue - We now expect FY25 Revenue in the range of $160 million to $170 million.

  • Adjusted EBITDA - We expect FY25 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding any material negative impact from foreign exchange, to be in the range of $18 million to $21.5 million(1).

(1) Excluding revenue, the Company does not provide guidance on a GAAP basis as certain items that impact Adjusted EBITDA, such as equity compensation, foreign exchange gains or losses, acquisition expenses and employee separation expenses, which may be significant, are outside the Company's control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted.

Roger Shannon, Chief Financial Officer, added, "We are pleased to close on this important acquisition, and we look forward to working with our new teammates at LHD to further expand the Lakeland family of fire and safety brands. We continue to believe our SSQ acquisitions like LHD position us for additional growth in revenue and profitability."

About Lakeland Industries, Inc.

We manufacture and sell a comprehensive line of industrial protective clothing and accessories for the industrial and public protective clothing market. Our products are sold globally by our in-house sales teams, our customer service group, and authorized independent sales representatives to a network of over 2,000 global safety and industrial supply distributors. Our authorized distributors supply end users, such as integrated oil, chemical/petrochemical, automobile, transportation, steel, glass, construction, smelting, cleanroom, janitorial, pharmaceutical, and high technology electronics manufacturers, as well as scientific, medical laboratories and the utilities industry. In addition, we supply federal, state and local governmental agencies and departments, such as fire and law enforcement, airport crash rescue units, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease Control. Internationally, we sell to a mixture of end users directly and to industrial distributors, depending on the particular country and market. In addition to the United States, sales are made into more than 50 foreign countries, the majority of which were into China, the European Economic Community ("EEC"), Canada, Chile, Argentina, Russia, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, India, Uruguay, Middle East and Southeast Asia.

For more information concerning Lakeland, please visit the Company online at www.lakeland.com.

Safe Harbor Statement:

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address expectations of sources or uses for capital or which express the Company's expectations for future financial performance or operating strategies, including statements regarding the anticipated synergies and opportunities relating to the acquisition, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, as described from time to time in press releases and Forms 8-K, registration statements, quarterly and annual reports, and other filings filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There can be no assurance that future results will not be materially different from those described herein. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or events, conditions, or circumstances on which such statements are based, except as required by law.

Contact:
Lakeland Industries, Inc.
Roger Shannon, CFO
256-600-1390
rdshannon@lakeland.com

SOURCE: Lakeland Industries, Inc.



View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What is the value of Lakeland Industries' acquisition of LHD Group?

Lakeland Industries acquired LHD Group for approximately $16.3 million.

How will the acquisition of LHD Group impact Lakeland's revenue?

The acquisition is expected to add approximately $27 million in annual revenue.

What new revenue streams will Lakeland Industries gain from the LHD acquisition?

Lakeland will gain recurring revenue streams from LHD's protective clothing maintenance services, including laundry, repairs, and sample production.

How does the acquisition of LHD Group enhance Lakeland's product portfolio?

The acquisition adds LHD's range of firefighter turnout gear, rescue gear, and station wear, complementing Lakeland's existing offerings.

What is the strategic rationale behind Lakeland Industries' acquisition of LHD Group?

The acquisition strengthens Lakeland's position in the global fire services market, expands their geographical reach, and introduces new revenue streams.

Will LHD Group's employees be retained post-acquisition?

Yes, LHD's 111 skilled employees, including the core management team, will be retained and integrated into Lakeland's global team.

What immediate financial impact will the LHD acquisition have on Lakeland Industries?

The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to Lakeland's revenue and market share.

Lakeland Industries Inc

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