Bakers Journal

Electrolux prepares to separate

February 21, 2019
By Bakers Journal

Logo courtesy of Electrolux Group

AB Electrolux, known for its household and professional appliances, announced that it is preparing for the separation of its Professional Products business area from the Group.

The Electrolux Board of Directors has initiated work intending to propose that a shareholders meeting decides to split the Group into two listed companies, “Electrolux” for household appliances and “Electrolux Professional” for professional appliances, and to distribute Electrolux Professional to the shareholders of AB Electrolux in 2020.

Electrolux Board of Directors believes that such a split has the potential to create substantial shareholder value over time, given that the two businesses have different end markets, customers and success drivers. A split will enable both companies to focus on their respective opportunities to drive profitable growth, with distinct strategies for innovation and customer focus, as well as a high level of capital efficiency. The separation costs are expected to be relatively low.

The Electrolux Group’s core consumer business offers household appliances under a range of well-established brands including Electrolux, Frigidaire and AEG. It holds leading market positions in targeted areas. Electrolux has a strong track record and emphasis on innovation for outstanding consumer experiences. Its market is characterized by increased consumer power, sustainability, digitalization, a growing middle class driving demand and industry consolidation.

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“Electrolux Professional is the only supplier in the professional appliances space with a full and integrated offer of solutions under one brand. As such, it has significant potential for long-term value creation as an agile stand-alone company, which can pursue growth through market consolidation and innovation,” said Staffan Bohman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AB Electrolux in a press release. ”Electrolux believes its core consumer business also stands to benefit both in terms of growth and margins from a sharpened focus on consumer experience innovation, the aftermarket and emerging markets. Electrolux financial targets will remain unchanged following a separation of Electrolux Professional.”

Alberto Zanata, Head of Professional Products, added: “This is a good move for both the Group and for Professional, because we will both have the possibility to 100 per cent focus on our customers – who are different – and our industry dynamics, which are also different. We welcome the proposal, as it means we will have an even better position to make our customers’ work-life easier, more profitable, and truly sustainable every day. Will this impact our everyday work-life? We see no major changes influencing the short-term but step-by-step we envision becoming the one business partner in food, beverage and laundry even faster.”

The preparations have been initiated and the Board intends to present a proposal for the distribution and listing of Electrolux Professional to a shareholders meeting. If the shareholders decide in favour of such a proposal, AB Electrolux shareholders will receive shares in Electrolux Professional in proportion to their shareholding in AB Electrolux.


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