Franklin Electric Announces Two Acquisitions in India

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (August 4, 2014) – Franklin Electric Co., Inc., completed two acquisitions in India. In the first, Franklin Electric acquired 70 percent of the outstanding stock of Pluga Pumps and Motors Private Limited, based in a newly constructed facility in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Pluga designs, manufactures and distributes groundwater motor and pumping equipment through 11 branch offices located throughout India. In the fiscal year completed March 2014, Pluga revenues were approximately 745 million Indian rupees, or about $13 million. The company purchased the 70 percent share with cash and is obligated to purchase the remaining 30 percent share in 2017. Second, Franklin Fueling Systems Inc. acquired 65 percent of the shares of Wadcorpp India Private Limited, based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Wadcorpp operates as a distributor of fueling equipment throughout India from a newly constructed facility based in Pune. The facility is also capable of manufacturing certain Franklin Fueling System products. In the fiscal year completed March 2014, Wadcorpp’s revenues were approximately 54 million Indian rupees, or about $1 million. Franklin Fueling Systems purchased the 65 percent share with cash and has the obligation to purchase the remaining 35 percent share as early as 2017. The company believes that in aggregate, these transactions will be accretive to 2015 earnings per share (EPS). “India is a key developing region market for both our Water and Fueling Systems businesses,” said Gregg Sengstack, Franklin Electric CEO. “In Fueling Systems, we are an established leading importer of pressure pumping, leak detection and vapor recovery systems to the major Indian oil companies, both public and private. Having a JV in the country, with a partner that has a long and successful track record in the manufacture of fueling equipment and tank trucks, will allow us to leverage our success and expand our role in the manufacture and distribution of vapor recovery equipment as we see evidence that, over the next several years, there will be a national focus on vapor recovery to reduce air pollution and protect the health of fueling station attendants.” Added Sengstack: “In Water Systems, our penetration of the Indian market has been limited to high-end, technologically advanced, constant pressure systems, mostly in urban locations. Pluga, a company recognized for quality, particularly in bore-hole pumping, has distribution reach in rural markets, with a solid position in residential and agricultural water equipment sales. Having recently moved into a new factory, Pluga provides in country manufacturing capability. “Franklin Electric will be able to supply them the resources to accelerate new product development, improve efficiencies and expand marketing, sales and distribution beyond their existing network of branch offices across the country. Further, we see additional opportunities with the Pluga management team to develop solar powered pumping systems specifically designed to address the needs of the Indian market.” Franklin Electric provides systems and components for the movement of water and automotive fuels.