ASSA ABLOY Has Signed an Agreement to Acquire SimonsVoss Technologies AG

By Laura Stepanek, Contributing writer

ASSA ABLOY announced on its Web site that it has signed an agreement to acquire SimonsVoss Technologies AG -- a leading company in the rapidly growing market for wireless digital locking and access control systems, according to the press release.

SimonsVoss Technologies AG develops, manufactures and markets electronic locking and access control systems for public and commercial buildings. The acquisition will offer ASSA ABLOY a great growth opportunity and access to an extended product platform.

SimonsVoss will be organized as a separate business unit within the ASSA ABLOY Global Technologies Division.

The market for digital locking and access control systems is growing rapidly and SimonsVoss is one of the leading companies within this segment, stated the press release. SimonsVoss exhibits a strong performance in relevant system technologies due to its advanced technology and broad system platform.

The company employs a staff of 225 people and has its headquarters close to Munich in Germany.

SimonsVoss is expected to achieve sales exceeding EUR 40 M in 2008, representing more than 20 percent top line growth, with an EBIT margin in line with the ASSA ABLOY Group. The acquisition is expected to be slightly dilutive to EPS in 2008 and marginally EPS accretive in 2009. The acquisition will be financed through existing credit facilities. The acquisition of SimonsVoss is subject to regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close during the first half of 2008.

Laura Stepanek is a SDM contributing writer. Laura was the Editor of SDM from 2001-2020 and first joined the publication in 1984. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Barat College of DePaul University.