Honeywell acquires Carrier's Global Access Solutions, including LenelS2

Honeywell plans to enhance and strengthen its building automation capabilities with the acquisition of Carrier Global Corporation’s Global Access Solutions business for $4.95 billion, in an all-cash transaction.

The acquisition, which includes both hardware and software solutions, further supports Honeywell’s recently announced plans to align its portfolio to three compelling megatrends: automation, the future of aviation, and energy transition, underpinned by robust digitalisation capabilities and solutions.

Strong brands

The business brings an attractive growth and margin profile that will be accretive to Honeywell with valuable software content, a resilient business model, and strong sources of recurring revenue. The acquisition will add three respected brands to Honeywell’s portfolio with a focus on life safety and digital access solutions, including:

• LenelS2, a pioneering business for over 25 years in commercial and enterprise access solutions, including well-known offerings Onguard and Netbox, used by numerous Fortune 100 customers.
• Onity offers electronic locks, including hospitality access, mobile credentials, and self-storage access.
• Supra’s cloud-based electronic real estate lockboxes offer mobile credentials and access management, as well as a pioneering digital platform to optimise scheduling for property showings.

Cloud-based services

Honeywell’s strong track record delivering building automation products and services makes this a natural fit"

When the deal closes, the combined company is expected to accelerate innovation, bringing products and capabilities to customers who are increasingly moving to cloud-based services and solutions.

“Honeywell’s strong track record delivering building automation products and services makes this a natural fit that will create a pioneering security platform with forecasted annual revenue over $1 billion,” states Vimal Kapur, Chief Executive Officer, Honeywell.

The purchase price represents approximately 13x 2023E EBITDA, inclusive of tax benefits and run-rate cost synergies. The transaction is expected to be cash-EPS accretive in the first full year of ownership.

1,200 employees in 33 countries

With approximately 1,200 employees operating in 33 countries, Carrier's Global Access Solutions business is an innovative global pioneer in advanced access and security solutions, electronic locking systems, and contactless mobile key solutions.

This pending sale will allow the business to build on the strength of its pioneering brands, innovative solutions, strong partner relationships, and high growth potential, according to a press release from Carrier.

Aligning with growth strategy

Global Access Solutions is a great business with dedicated, customer-focused teams"

"Global Access Solutions is a great business with dedicated, customer-focused teams, and we look forward to watching its continued growth under the ownership of Honeywell," says Carrier Chairman and CEO, David Gitlin.

He adds, "The transaction, together with the planned exits of our Industrial Fire, Residential and Commercial Fire, and Commercial Refrigeration cabinet businesses, will accelerate our growth strategy and focus, positioning Carrier to deliver higher growth and superior shareholder value and further reinforcing our track record of performing while transforming."

Will pay down debt

Carrier expects net proceeds from the transaction to be approximately $4 billion and intends to use the proceeds to pay down debt. The company anticipates resuming share repurchases as soon as its net leverage returns to approximately 2x EBITDA.

The proposed sale is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. It is expected to close before the end of Q3 2024.