Smiths Detection forms JV with General Electric Company

Please click here for all materials concerning the two announcements including the analysts' presentation and interview with Keith Butler-Wheelhouse and Jeff Immelt

Smiths Group plc (Smiths) and General Electric Company (GE) announce that they have signed a letter of intent (the Letter of Intent) to form Smiths GE Detection (the JV). Smiths will own 64% and GE will own 36% of the JV.

The JV will combine Smiths Detection with GE Homeland Protection to create a leading global business serving the fast-growing detection and homeland protection markets.

Smiths GE Detection will offer a broad range of technologies to deliver integrated solutions to meet the rapidly evolving requirements of governments and other customers globally. By combining each parents technological capabilities and the research and innovation resources available at GEs Global Research Center, Smiths GE Detection will be well positioned to deliver the next generation of technologically advanced detection and homeland protection equipment worldwide.

The board of the JV will be chaired by Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, the Chief Executive of Smiths, and will consist of four Smiths and two GE representatives. The JV brings together two outstanding management teams and will be led by Stephen Phipson, currently Group Managing Director of Smiths Detection, as its first President.

Smiths and GE will now move to signing definitive agreements as soon as practicable based on the principles set out in the Letter of Intent. Smiths and GE have agreed to an exclusivity period in which to reach a final agreement in relation to the JV.

The parties view this as a long-term commitment, with no voluntary exit rights for the first five years. It should be noted that the provisions of the Letter of Intent do not allow for GE to call Smiths interest in the JV at any time during the life of the JV, except in the event of a change of control of Smiths within 30 months of completion of the transaction. Following this 30 month period, a change of control event at Smiths will entitle GE to put its interest in the JV to Smiths.

Completion of the JV will be conditional, inter alia, on the consent of the Smiths and GE boards, Smiths shareholder consent, certain regulatory approvals and the completion of the sale of Smiths Aerospace Division to GE.

Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, Chief Executive of Smiths, commented:

Smiths is delighted to be joining forces with GE in a long-term partnership to create a leading global detection business. Our two organisations bring together a wealth of experience in the detection business and a broad range of complementary technologies. Access to the substantial technology resources and research capabilities of GE will accelerate new product development and help our customers make the world a safer place.

Jeff Immelt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GE, commented:

We are delighted to bring our detection assets to the Smiths GE Detection joint venture. Under the leadership of Stephen Phipson and the combined executive team, there is no doubt that our complementary capabilities will enable us to bring new enhanced detection solutions to customers more rapidly.  We look forward to a long-term relationship with Smiths to create a dynamic and innovative business to serve the growing global detection market.

A presentation for analysts and investors will be hosted today at 9:30am (UK time) at the Savoy Hotel, Strand, London WC2R 0EU by Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, Chief Executive of Smiths, and Jeff Immelt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GE.  The event will be webcast live at www.smiths.com .  Alternatively, interested parties can listen in to the live briefing via telephone by calling +44 (0) 20 7138 0816 or +1 718 354 1171 (listen only).  An interview with Keith Butler-Wheelhouse and Jeff Immelt can be seen on www.smiths.com and www.cantos.com

For media, a joint press conference will be hosted today at 11:30am (UK time) at the Savoy Hotel, Strand, London WC2R 0EU. 

Lead Financial Adviser 
 
Evercore Partners +44 (0) 20 7268 2712
Bernard Taylor 
Julian Oakley 
 
Joint Financial Advisers and Brokers 
 
Credit Suisse +44 (0) 20 7888 8888
James Leigh-Pemberton 
Alex Phillips 
 
JPMorgan Cazenove +44 (0) 20 7588 2828
David Mayhew 
Edmund Byers 
 
PR Adviser 
 
Brunswick +44 (0) 20 7404 5959
Jon Coles 
Jonathan Glass  

General Electric Company +1 203 373 3193
Russell Wilkerson 
 
Tulchan Communications +44 (0) 20 7353 4200
Andrew Grant 
Kirstie Hamilton

Evercore Partners Limited ("Evercore Partners"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting for Smiths and no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to any person other than Smiths for providing the protections afforded to clients of Evercore Partners, or for providing advice in relation to these matters.

Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited ("Credit Suisse"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting for Smiths and no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to any person other than Smiths for providing the protections afforded to clients of Credit Suisse, or for providing advice in relation to these matters.

JPMorgan Cazenove Limited ("JPMorgan Cazenove"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting for Smiths and no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to any person other than Smiths for providing the protections afforded to clients of JPMorgan Cazenove, or for providing advice in relation to these matters.

GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the worlds toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide.  For more information, visit the GE website at www.ge.com

GE Security
GEs Security business is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) focused on communication and information technologies for security and life safety solutions.  GE Security has more than 6,500 employees with operations in over 35 countries and is represented by some of the best-known brand names for intrusion and fire detection, access and building control, video surveillance, explosives and drug detection, key management and structured wiring. The Homeland Protection business is focused on explosives and narcotics detection and has approximately 730 employees located in the U.S., Europe and Asia.