Copyright Joe Raedle, Getty Images
56566675
56566675
56566675
56566675
56566675

GE to Merge Locomotive Unit with Wabtec in $11.1 Billion Deal

May 21, 2018
The deal is transformative for Wabtec, which will roughly double its annual revenue.

General Electric Co. agreed to merge its century-old locomotive business with rail-equipment maker Wabtec Corp. in a deal valued at $11.1 billion, the biggest step yet in Chief Executive Officer John Flannery’s plan to shed unwanted units and revitalize the beleaguered manufacturer.

GE will receive $2.9 billion in cash while the company and its shareholders take a 50.1% stake in the combined entity, according to a statement Monday. Wabtec shareholders will hold the rest after the tax-free transaction, which is expected to close early next year.

GE put its rail unit on the market last year in an effort to streamline operations and reduce the complexity that Flannery blames for deepening the company’s problems. Faced with one of the worst slumps in GE’s 126-year history, the CEO has pledged to cut costs and refocus the Boston-based manufacturer on key markets, such as aviation and energy.

The deal is transformative for Wabtec, which will roughly double its annual revenue by adding one of the world’s largest makers of freight locomotives and rail equipment. The Wilmerding, Pa.-based company said it was attracted to the complementary products and a growing order book after several lean years for the industry.

“Together we have a unique opportunity to drive tremendous growth in 2019 and beyond as the industry continues to improve,’’ Wabtec CEO Raymond Betler said in the statement. He will remain in the same role after the deal closes.

GE advanced 2.4% to $15.33 ahead of regular trading in New York. The stock declined 14% this year through Friday, while the S&P 500 Index has increased 1.5%. Wabtec shares weren’t trading premarket.

By Richard Clough

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Empowering the Modern Workforce: The Power of Connected Worker Technologies

March 1, 2024
Explore real-world strategies to boost worker safety, collaboration, training, and productivity in manufacturing. Emphasizing Industry 4.0, we'll discuss digitalization and automation...

3 Best Practices to Create a Product-Centric Competitive Advantage with PRO.FILE PLM

Jan. 25, 2024
Gain insight on best practices and strategies you need to accelerate engineering change management and reduce time to market. Register now for your opportunity to accelerate your...

Transformative Capabilities for XaaS Models in Manufacturing

Feb. 14, 2024
The manufacturing sector is undergoing a pivotal shift toward "servitization," or enhancing product offerings with services and embracing a subscription model. This transition...

Shifting Your Business from Products to Service-Based Business Models: Generating Predictable Revenues

Oct. 27, 2023
Executive summary on a recent IndustryWeek-hosted webinar sponsored by SAP

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!