Carrier Global Corp. (NYSE: CARR) has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Commercial and Residential Fire business to an affiliate of Lone Star Funds for an enterprise value of $3 billion.
In an announcement, Carrier Chairman & CEO David Gitlin indicated that selling the Commercial and Residential Fire business is a significant part of Carrier’s strategy to streamline operations and focus on becoming a more agile, high-growth company with a strong commitment to sustainability.
“I am so proud of what our deal and business teams have accomplished. We now have executed deals on all our divestitures, all signed within about a year of announcement, with a combined value of over $10 billion, representing a mid-teens EBITDA multiple in aggregate,” Gitlin said. “This reflects tremendous dedication by so many, and I could not be more appreciative of our team's tireless efforts and great work.”
The sale marks a critical milestone in Carrier’s portfolio transformation, following the acquisition of Viessmann Climate Solutions in January and the successful divestitures of its Industrial Fire and Global Access Solutions businesses, the announcement stated. The Commercial Refrigeration sale is said to be on track to close around the end of the third quarter. Closing of the Commercial and Residential Fire business is expected by the end of 2024, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Following the acquisition of Viessmann Climate Solutions, Carrier has reduced its net debt by over $5 billion through the repayment of outstanding term loans and notes, including last week's successful tender for additional outstanding debt, according to the announcement. As a result of significant de-leveraging this year, and consistent with prior messaging, Carrier said it expects to redeploy the estimated $2.2 billion in net proceeds from the transaction toward share repurchases.
Carrier first announced in April 2023 it would exit its Fire & Security businesses. Among the company's fire/life-safety brands are Kidde Commercial and Kidde Fire Systems, Edwards, GST, Autronica, Marigff and Det-Tronics.
Established in 1995, Lone Star Funds is a global private equity firm that invests in real estate, equity, credit and other financial assets. Lone Star has organized 24 funds with aggregate capital commitments totaling approximately $92 billion, according to its website.
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are serving as financial advisor to Carrier. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Linklaters LLP are providing external legal counsel.