Luxfer Announces Actions to Reduce Legacy Pension Plan Liabilities

Rhea-AI Summary

Luxfer Holdings PLC (NYSE: LXFR) announced actions to strengthen its balance sheet concerning its frozen U.S. and U.K. pension plans. The company plans a special one-time payment of $12.7 million to its U.K. Defined Benefit Pension Plan, which is expected to reduce the pension deficit significantly, potentially reaching zero by year-end 2021. Additionally, Luxfer is terminating its U.S. Pension Plan, with completion projected within 12 to 18 months. The CEO highlighted that these steps create strategic flexibility for enhancing shareholder value.

Positive

• Reduction of pension deficit by $12.7 million, enhancing financial stability.
• Expected to eliminate pension deficit in the U.K. by year-end 2021, contingent on market conditions.
• Strategic flexibility created for dividends, share buybacks, and portfolio optimization.

Negative

• None.

MILWAUKEE, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Luxfer Holdings PLC (NYSE: LXFR), (“Luxfer” or the “Company”), a global industrial company innovating niche applications in materials engineering, today announced that it is taking multiple actions related to its U.S. and U.K. legacy pension plans, both of which remain frozen, to further strengthen its balance sheet.

Luxfer expects to reduce its pension deficit by approximately $12.7 million (£9.6 million) by initiating a special one-off deficit reduction payment to its legacy U.K. Defined Benefit Pension Plan (the “Plan”). The payment ensures that the Company will not be required to make additional contributions to the legacy Plan for at least the next three years.

Based on the full valuation carried out on April 5, 2021 as required by U.K. pension rules, the legacy Plan is expected to approach zero deficit at year end following the one-off payment of $12.7 million, coupled with other payments made in 2021, subject to capital market movements.

The Company remains committed to ensuring that the Plan has the means to discharge its future liabilities as they become due. The additional payment should allow the Plan to increase its investment in assets that are better matched to Plan liabilities.

Luxfer has also decided to terminate its U.S. Pension Plan. The process is expected to be complete within 12 to 18 months, including final funding requirements and administrative cost payments.

Luxfer is thankful for the close collaboration with pension trustees who have aided the Company in making exceptional progress towards significantly reducing the pension deficit, which was as large as $91 million in 2014. “Our pension deficit progress, coupled with this additional pension payment, creates significant strategic flexibility for Luxfer and increases optionality to further enhance shareholder value through dividends, share buyback, and portfolio optimization,” said Alok Maskara, Chief Executive Officer.

About Luxfer Holdings PLC

Luxfer is a global industrial company innovating niche applications in materials engineering, which focuses on value creation by using its broad array of technical know-how and proprietary technologies. Luxfer’s high-performance materials, components, and high-pressure gas containment devices are used in defense and emergency response, healthcare, transportation, and general industrial applications. For more information, visit www.luxfer.com.

Luxfer is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and its ordinary shares trade under the symbol LXFR.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211216006099/en/

Luxfer Contact Information

Heather Harding

Investor Relations

Investor.relations@luxfer.com

Source: Luxfer Holdings PLC

FAQ

What actions is Luxfer Holdings taking regarding its pension plans?

Luxfer Holdings is making a $12.7 million payment to its U.K. pension plan and terminating its U.S. pension plan.

How much is Luxfer's pension deficit expected to decrease?

Luxfer expects to reduce its pension deficit by approximately $12.7 million.

When will Luxfer eliminate its pension deficit?

The pension deficit is expected to approach zero by the end of 2021, depending on capital market movements.

What is the timeline for the termination of Luxfer's U.S. Pension Plan?

The termination of Luxfer's U.S. Pension Plan is expected to be completed within 12 to 18 months.