Emerson Electric Co. EMR recently acquired all outstanding shares of Aspen Technology, Inc.’s (AZPN) (AspenTech) common stock that it did not already own. It is worth noting that EMR acquired a 55% majority stake in AspenTech in 2022, later increasing its ownership to around 57%.
Based in Bedford, MA, AspenTech provides asset optimization software solutions. The company's solutions aid customers in asset-intensive industries in addressing the twin problem of fulfilling the growing resource demand of a population that is expanding quickly while simultaneously conducting business more sustainably.
This transaction, structured as an all-cash tender offer, valued AspenTech at a market capitalization of $17.0 billion, with an enterprise value of $16.8 billion. Notably, EMR offered $265 in cash for each of the remaining shares of AspenTech. With the close of this buyout, AspenTech now operates as a fully owned subsidiary of Emerson.
The acquisition is in line with Emerson’s strategy of acquiring businesses to enhance its operations and expand its market presence. The inclusion of AspenTech will boost EMR’s automation portfolio and penetrate new markets. It will enable Emerson to advance its capabilities in software-defined control under industrial automation.
Emerson has been experiencing healthy demand across most of its end markets. Solid demand in the process and hybrid industries is boosting underlying sales (up 2% in the first quarter of fiscal 2025). The company anticipates sales in the process and hybrid industry to grow mid-single digits in fiscal 2025, driven by strength in energy, LNG and power end markets. Robust demand from sustainability and digital transformation initiatives will also contribute to steady progress.
Also, the company is benefiting from the strong performance of the Intelligent Devices and Software and Control segments. Within the Intelligent Devices segment, it is seeing strength in the Final Control business, driven by solid momentum in power end markets. Sales from this business increased 4% year over year in the fiscal first quarter.
Robust growth in all geographies and strong backlog conversion levels are aiding the Measurement & Analytical business (sales rose 3% year over year in the fiscal first quarter). Within the Software and Control segment, strength in the power and process end markets is supporting the Control Systems & Software business. Revenues from the business increased 2% year over year in first-quarter fiscal 2025.
However, softness in the Americas and Europe regions within the Safety & Productivity business is concerning. Weakness across all geographies is adversely affecting the Discrete Automation business’ performance. Sales from the business declined 5% in the first quarter of fiscal 2025.
EMR also operates in the highly competitive commercial and industrial markets, comprising well-recognised providers of engineered products and services. The company, which belongs to the Zacks Manufacturing - Electronics industry, faces stiff competition from several competitors like Ingersoll Rand plc IR, Rockwell Automation, Inc. ROK and Franklin Electric Co., Inc. FELE.
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