Rolls-Royce welcomes the decision by the Board of Management of Daimler AG to exercise the put option relating to its 50% shareholding in Rolls-Royce Power Systems (RRPS). Rolls-Royce will acquire the shares from Daimler, which has been a 50-50 joint venture partner in RRPS since 2011. The option, which is subject to a formal valuation process, was valued at £1.9bn on the Rolls-Royce balance sheet at Dec 31st 2013. Rolls-Royce has ample liquidity to fund this purchase from existing cash and borrowing facilities.
RRPS, which previously operated as Tognum AG, is a world leader in reciprocating engines. It is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in Southern Germany and employs around 11,000 people.
John Rishton, CEO of Rolls-Royce said: "Rolls-Royce Power Systems has added scale and capability to our reciprocating engines business. It has outstanding technology, operates in long term growth markets and has proved a valuable addition to our Marine and Industrial Power Systems division."
Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG said: "After the very successful cooperation with Rolls-Royce and the positive development of RRPS, we are now taking the next logical step and are transferring our shares to our joint-venture partner. All parties involved will benefit from this move, especially RRPS and its workforce."
This transaction is expected to complete within the next 6-months and is subject to the usual regulatory approvals.
