FAIRFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 2006--GE (NYSE: GE) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell GE Advanced Materials (Silicones & Quartz) to Apollo Management, L.P., a private investment firm in a deal valued at approximately $3.8 billion in cash and securities. Upon completion of the transaction, GE will receive a 10% ownership stake in the new company and hold $400 million of notes. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals, and is expected to occur before the end of 2006.
"Today's announcement is another big step in repositioning the Industrial segment for faster growth and higher returns," said Lloyd Trotter, GE vice chairman and president and CEO of GE Industrial. "We negotiated an attractive price for the deal, and we will use the proceeds to fund growth and restructuring in our industrial businesses."
"Advanced Materials is a global leader in a wide range of high-technology materials solutions," said Joshua Harris, a founding partner of Apollo. "It has a world class management team, a robust technology portfolio and strong research and development. This combination makes it an extremely valuable asset and gives Apollo a solid foundation to profitably grow this business and create long-term value."
GE Advanced Materials is a $2.5 billion supplier of silicone-based products, silanes, sealants, urethane additives and adhesives; and high-purity fused quartz and ceramics materials. It is headquartered in Wilton, Conn. and employs 5,000 people in 38 locations worldwide.
GE Advanced Materials has two major joint ventures - GE Toshiba Silicones (GETOS), formed in 1971, and GE Bayer Silicones (GEBS), formed in 1998. In two related transactions, GE announced that it has reached definitive agreements with Toshiba and Bayer to acquire 100% of their respective joint venture equity stakes. GETOS and GEBS will become wholly owned by GE and will be included in the acquisition by Apollo.
GE will receive net proceeds from the deal of approximately $2 billion after the purchase of minority partners' interest, taxes and deal expenses. The effect on operations will be modest and will be principally offset by restructuring.
Wayne Hewett, who currently leads the Advanced Materials business for GE, will serve as president and chief executive officer of the new business, which will be renamed upon completion of the transaction.
"Wayne and his leadership team bring years of experience to their new roles and are highly respected in the industry," added Trotter. "We wish them the very best of success in their new company and we look forward to working together as supply chain partners."
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified technology and services company dedicated to creating products that make life better. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, television programming and plastics, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com.
Apollo Management, founded in 1990, is a recognized leader in private equity, debt and capital markets investing. Since its inception, Apollo has successfully invested over $16 billion in companies representing a wide variety of industries, both in the US and internationally. Apollo is currently investing its sixth private equity fund, Apollo Investment Fund VI, L.P., which along with related co-investment entities, represents approximately $12 billion of new capital.
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