MPG Metaldyne Performance Grp. Inc. (delisted)

By John D. Stoll 

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc., a Detroit auto-parts maker that spun out of General Motors more than two decades ago, continued its diversification drive by agreeing to buy Metaldyne Performance Group Inc. for $1.6 billion.

American Axle, which makes several components used in the undercarriage or mechanical functions of cars and trucks, has remained dependent on GM for the bulk of its sales. Acquiring Metaldyne, which makes parts for engines and transmissions, would give it a bigger footprint in Europe and wider array of customers, American Axle Chief Executive David Dauch said in an interview on Thursday.

The combined company would have $7 billion in annual revenue, which vaults American Axle closer to the size of some of bigger U.S.-based auto-parts suppliers such as Visteon Corp. or Cummins Inc.

American Axle agreed to pay $1.6 billion in cash and stock to Metaldyne stockholders, an about 52% premium to the Southfield, Mich., company's Wednesday closing share price. The deal also includes the assumption of $1.7 billion in Metaldyne debt.

American Axle's diversification comes with risks. It expands its business in the heart of a sector that felled far bigger companies facing heavy financial burdens when automotive production collapsed. Mr. Dauch has taken a conservative approach to leverage in recent years and the company plans to employ that same degree of prudence as it addresses its additional debt load, he said.

The deal comes amid big profits for U.S. auto suppliers as North American vehicle production hits record highs and global car makers continue to invest heavily in technology that improves fuel economy and safety, such as with autonomous driving features. The sector was hit hard during the financial crisis, with many suppliers restructuring under bankruptcy protection, being acquired or going out of business.

American Axle shares fell nearly 18% to $13.68, while Metaldyne's gained about 34% to $19.20, both at 4 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange trading. American Axle's heavier debt load could weigh on investor sentiment as U.S. automotive demand erodes after a six-year run of growth, said Brian Johnson. a Barlcays PLC analyst, in a note to investors.

American Axle earlier in 2016 announced new contracts intended to substantially reduce the percentage of sales coming from GM, which currently is at 66% of revenue. By including Metaldyne, reliance on GM would immediately fall to 41% in part because of additional customers the company has. The combined company's exposure to GM is forecast to fall to 32% by 2020.

Metaldyne filed for bankruptcy protection in 2009 and the private-equity owners of the restructured company took it public in 2014. It primarily produces metal parts for engines, transmissions, brakes and axles. Suppliers like Metaldyne and American Axle are in a capital-intensive portion of the auto-supply chain, investing heavily in physical manufacturing assets.

Much of the auto industry's forging capacity was removed from the North American market at the end of the last decade, and Metaldyne hasn't faced a barrage of competition because of how much it costs to open facilities, acquire equipment or navigate the environmental permitting process.

Automotive deal activity trailed off during the first half of 2016 compared with a record 2015, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP said in a recent report on the sector. Last year was disproportionately affected by ZF Friedrichshafen AG's $12.5 billion purchase of Michigan-based TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., which married two large suppliers of safety equipment and other components.

Many auto supply deals have involved larger suppliers, such as Delphi Automotive PLC or Harman International Industries Inc., acquiring smaller companies specializing in software or other technology needed to connect vehicles to the internet or make them safer or more fuel efficient.

Write to John D. Stoll at john.stoll@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 04, 2016 02:48 ET (06:48 GMT)

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