Johnson Controls announces merge with Tyco

Published 3:09 pm Monday, January 25, 2016

Johnson Controls and Tyco announced on Monday that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Johnson Controls, a global multi-industrial company, will combine with Tyco, a global fire and security provider, to create the leader in building products and technology, integrated solutions and energy storage.

Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by both companies’ Boards of Directors, Johnson Controls shareholders will own approximately 56 percent of the equity of the combined company and receive aggregate cash consideration of approximately $3.9 billion.

Currently, Tyco shareholders will own approximately 44 percent of the equity of the combined company.

“The proposed combination of Johnson Controls and Tyco represents the next phase of our transformation to become a leading global multi-industrial company,” Alex Molinaroli, chairman and chief executive officer of Johnson Controls said in a release. “With its world-class fire and security businesses, Tyco aligns with and enhances the Johnson Controls buildings platform and further positions all of our businesses for global growth. Through this transaction, we will also expand our ability to further invest globally, develop new innovate solutions for customers and return capital to shareholders.”

“The combination of Tyco and Johnson Controls is a highly strategic, value-enhancing step that brings together the unique strengths of two great companies to deliver best-in-class building technologies and services to customers around the world,” chief executive officer of Tyco George R. Oliver said in a release. “We believe this transaction will allow us to better capture opportunities created by increased connectivity in homes, buildings and cities. Joining forces with Johnson Controls pairs our leading established businesses with robust innovation pipelines and extensive global footprints to deliver greater value to customers, shareholders and employees of both companies.”

Under the terms of the proposed transaction, the businesses of Johnson Controls and Tyco will be combined under Tyco International plc, which will be renamed “Johnson Controls plc.”

The companies expect that shares of the combined company will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trade under the “JCI” ticker.

Upon the closing of the transaction, the combined company is expected to maintain Tyco’s Irish legal domicile and global headquarters in Cork, Ireland.

The primary operational headquarters in North America for the combined company will be in Milwaukee, where Johnson Controls has been based.

The combined company brings together best-in-class product, technology and service capabilities across controls, fire, security, HVAC, power solutions and energy storage to serve various end-markets including large institutions, commercial buildings, retail, industrial, small business and residential.

The combination of the Tyco and Johnson Controls buildings platforms creates immediate opportunities for near-term growth through cross-selling, complementary branch and channel networks, and expanded global reach for established businesses.

The new company will also benefit by combining innovation capabilities and pipelines involving new products, advanced solutions for smart buildings and cities, value-added services driven by advanced data and analytics and connectivity between buildings and energy storage through infrastructure integration.

As a result, the new company will be able to better partner with its customers to help improve their overall performance and operations, enhancing the experience for their own customers in areas such as comfort, safety and accessibility.

In addition, the combined company will have one of the largest energy storage platforms with capabilities including traditional lead acid as well as advanced lithium ion battery technology serving the global energy storage market.

Johnson Controls is in the midst of a strategic transformation to become a top-quartile multi-industrial company with leadership in attractive spaces connected to core growth platforms in buildings and energy storage. This focus has resulted in significant portfolio changes over the past few years including the divestiture of its Automotive Electronics and Interiors and Global Workplace Solutions businesses, as well as the acquisition of Air Distribution Technologies and the formation of Johnson Controls – Hitachi joint venture. The company announced in July 2015 that it is planning to spin off Adient at the beginning of fiscal year 2017.

Tyco has transformed from a diversified holding company to a streamlined operating company with a focused and leading portfolio in fire and security that will complement Johnson Controls’ buildings platform. Tyco combines best-in-class products with a world-class installation and service capability delivered across a global network of branches. The company’s core strengths include security and fire systems integration, commercial security monitoring, as well as fire, security and life-safety products.

A spokesperson for the Clanton automotive parts manufacturing plant could not be reached for comment on Monday to elaborate if the merge would have any affect on the local plant, which manufactures vehicle components.