Honeywell to spin off Resins and Chemicals

Honeywell, Morris Plains, N.J., announced today its intention to spin off its Resins and Chemicals business into a standalone, publicly- traded company named AdvanSix Inc. Completion of the transaction is expected to occur by early 2017 and is subject to certain customary conditions, including, among others, assurance that the spin-off of AdvanSix will be tax-free to Honeywell shareowners, the effectiveness of appropriate filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and final approval by Honeywell’s board of directors. The company said there is no impact to financial guidance at this time.

“Our $1.3 billion Resins and Chemicals business enjoys a leading position in the industries it serves and a global cost advantage. It is favorably positioned to continue to achieve global growth as a standalone enterprise, with added flexibility to make capital investments that enhance its offerings and service to customers,” said Honeywell Chairman and CEO Dave Cote. “Following the spin-off, Honeywell and AdvanSix will each have a more focused business and be better positioned to invest more in growth opportunities and execute strategic plans best suited to its respective business. The transaction will create added value for our shareowners, who will receive AdvanSix shares tax-free in addition to the Honeywell shares they already own.”

“Today’s announcement represents another step in the evolution of the Honeywell portfolio, as we continue to focus on driving breakthrough growth through advanced software capabilities and technology differentiation, with high-value product offerings that help us to win in the marketplace,” added Cote. “We have a well-balanced and successful capital deployment strategy, which includes acquisitions and divestitures, capital expenditures, dividends, and share repurchase, all of which drive additional value to our shareowners over the long-term.”

Upon completion of the spin-off, AdvanSix will be an independent, global, leading manufacturer of Nylon 6, a polymer resin used to produce engineered plastics, fibers, filaments, and films that, in turn, are used in end products such as automotive and electronic components, carpets, sports apparel, fishing nets, and food and industrial packaging.

AdvanSix also produces Sulf-N® ammonium sulfate fertilizers and chemical intermediates, including phenol, acetone, and Nadone® cyclohexanone, and is the largest single-site producer of caprolactam.

Erin Kane will serve as president and CEO of AdvanSix upon completion of the transaction. Kane currently serves as vice president and general manager of the Resins and Chemicals business, a position she has held since October 2014. She joined Honeywell in 2002 and has held numerous marketing, management, and business director roles in Resins and Chemicals and other businesses within Honeywell. Prior to joining Honeywell, Kane held Six Sigma and process engineering positions at Elementis Specialties and Kvaerner Process.

“Erin is uniquely qualified to lead the new, independent company. She has extensive experience in managing the global Resins and Chemicals business, having served in a number of business roles with increasing responsibility over the last eight years. As head of the Resins and Chemicals business over the last two years, she helped the business expand its product portfolio while maintaining the operational and cost advantages that it enjoys,” added Cote. “Her deep industry experience and business acumen, combined with the experience she has honed in general management, marketing, and operational positions while at Honeywell, will allow Erin to provide strong leadership for the new company.”

LSB to sell Climate Control Business

LSB Industries Inc. said May 12 that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell the company’s Climate Control Business (CCB) to NIBE Industrier AB (publ) of Sweden (NIBE) for a total cash consideration of $364 million. The unit generated approximately $274 million in revenue and $25 million in EBITDA in 2015.

Proceeds from the transaction will primarily be used to pay down debt. As a result, LSB will have greater financial flexibility and an improved capital structure to execute its growth strategies for its core Chemical Business, including improving the company’s chemical plant on-stream rates.

“This transaction represents an important milestone for LSB and our shareholders,” said Dan Greenwell, LSB president and CEO. “Our Climate Control Business is a solid operation with innovative products in multiple categories. On behalf of the board and management team, I would like to thank the CCB employees. Today’s announcement would not have been possible without their hard work and dedication and we commend them for their accomplishments. We are confident that in NIBE, we have found CCB the right home to realize its full potential.”

“As a focused chemicals company, our management team can now concentrate entirely on growing our Chemical Business by leveraging the substantial investments we have made over the last several years to enhance the reliability and profitability of our facilities,” he said. “We are confident that the investments we made at El Dorado will significantly enhance our performance and look forward to the generation of strong cash flow from those facilities. Importantly, this transaction will enhance our financial flexibility and allow us to continue to invest in improving our plants. We look forward to realizing the benefits of a standalone LSB Chemical Business.”

The companies expect to close the transaction in the third quarter of 2016, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Credit Suisse and Vinson & Elkins LLP acted as financial advisor and legal counsel, respectively, to LSB on this divestiture.

Disclaimer of Warranty
All information has been obtained by Green Markets from sources believed to be reliable. However, because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by our sources, Green Markets or others, Green Markets does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information.

For additional details visit our Terms of Use.