Langley Holdings plc, the privately owned UK engineering group, has signed an agreement to acquire Bergen Engines AS, from Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG, a subsidiary of Rolls Royce plc, for an enterprise value of €63 million. In addition, Rolls-Royce will retain approximately €40 million of cash currently held within the Bergen Engines business and Langley will capitalise the business going forward. The deal is being funded from existing cash resources within Langley.
The company, based in Hordvikneset, near Bergen, in Norway, builds medium speed liquid and gas fuelled engines for the commercial marine sector and naval vessels, as well as for land-based power generation applications.
Bergen Engines employs more than 900 people worldwide including 650 in the main factory in Hordvikneset. The business is expected to generate revenues of approximately €260 million in 2021.
The sale includes the Bergen Engines factory, service workshop and foundry, engine and power plant design capability, together with its global service subsidiaries and network.
The agreement between Rolls-Royce and Langley is subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions. Rolls-Royce have notified the Norwegian government of the proposed sale and effective completion is scheduled for 31st December, 2021.
Bergen Engines will become part of a newly formed Power Solutions Division within Langley, together with Marelli Motori, the Italian motor and generator manufactures and; Piller Power Systems, the German critical power specialist.
The sale is a part of an ongoing portfolio management by Rolls-Royce to create a more focused group. Sale proceeds of €70 million from the transaction together with €40 million of cash currently held within Bergen Engines which is to be retained by Rolls-Royce, will be used to help rebuild the Rolls-Royce balance sheet in support of its medium-term ambition to return to an investment grade credit profile.
Warren East, CEO of Rolls-Royce, said: “We believe that this agreement will provide Bergen Engines and its skilled workforce with a new owner able to take the business on the next step of its journey. The sale of Bergen Engines is a part of our ongoing portfolio management to create a simpler, more focused group and contributes towards our target to generate at least £2 billion from disposals, as announced last year.”
Anthony Langley, Chairman and CEO of Langley Holdings plc, said: “We are very pleased to have reached this Agreement with Rolls-Royce. The acquisition of Bergen Engines is a strategic step in the development of our power solutions division, and I am looking forward to welcoming the 900 plus employees of Bergen Engines to our family of businesses.”
Jon Erik Røv, Managing Director, Bergen Engines, said: “Today marks the beginning of a new era for Bergen Engines. Through the investments made by Rolls-Royce in our business, together with our dedicated and skilled workforce, and worldwide reputation for quality, I’m confident that Bergen Engines will prosper with Langley Holdings as our new owners.”
Watch the Bergen Engines factory tour video
The Bergen Engines plant in Hordvikneset, near Bergen, in Norway. The company employs over 900 people, of which around 650 are in Norway
Bergen liquid fuel and gas engines are to be found in land-based power generation applications, commercial marine and naval vessels.
About Bergen Engines
The tradition of medium-speed engines dates back to 1855 when the original company Bergen Mekaniske Verksted (BMV) was founded. In 1946 the company started to build diesel engines and since then has sold more than 7,000 engines, of which 5,000 are still in operation today.
Bergen medium speed gas and liquid fuel engines and generator sets are supplied to a broad range of land based, commercial marine and naval customers and the Bergen name is a watchword for quality and reliability in its field
About Langley Holdings
Langley Holdings plc (Langley) is a privately owned UK engineering and industrial manufacturing concern, principally providing capital equipment technologies to diverse markets worldwide. Langley businesses are either outright market leaders or occupy strong niche positions in their respective fields, providing advanced technologies in a solutions-based approach. The group’s principal operations are based in Germany, Italy, France and the UK with 17 production facilities in Europe, the UK and the US and more than 80 sales and service subsidiaries worldwide, currently employing some 4,600 people. Revenues for 2021 are expected to be approaching €1 billion.
The group was established in 1975 by Anthony Langley, the current Chairman & CEO, and remains in family ownership.
About Rolls-Royce plc
1. Rolls-Royce pioneers the power that matters to connect, power and protect society. Rolls-Royce has pledged to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in their operations by 2030. They joined the UN Race to Zero campaign in 2020 and have committed to ensuring new products will be compatible with net zero operation by 2030, and all products will be compatible with net zero by 2050.
2. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces and navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers.
3. Annual underlying revenue was £11.76 billion in 2020 and we invested £1.25 billion on research and development. Rolls-Royce also support a global network of 28 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.
4. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a publicly traded company (LSE:RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI: 213800EC7997ZBLZJH69).