Danfoss announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Eaton’s Hydraulics business for a cash purchase price of 3.3 billion USD (approximately 3.0 billion EUR). The acquisition is fully in line with Danfoss’ strategy to strengthen its core businesses and enhance customer value.
Eaton’s Hydraulics business, which accounted for 86% of Eaton’s Hydraulics segment revenue in 2019, is a global leader in hydraulics components, systems, and services for industrial and mobile equipment. The business had sales of $2.2 billion in 2019 and employs approximately 11,000 people.
Eaton is retaining the Filtration and Golf Grip businesses currently reported in the company’s Hydraulics segment.
“Today’s announcement is part of the ongoing transformation of Eaton into a higher growth company with better earnings consistency,” says Craig Arnold, Eaton chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe this transaction will create substantial value for our shareholders and allow our hydraulics employees to be part of a company that has a strong commitment to the hydraulics industry.”
Read more: Acquisition Brings Technological Advantages
“Today, we take a significant and transformational step in creating a global leader in mobile and industrial hydraulics. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to combine our largely complementary portfolios and geographic footprints. Eaton Hydraulics is a highly respected player in the global industry, recognized for its dedicated people and strong brands. By combining the knowledge and experience of the two businesses, our customers will benefit from unmatched expertise from a single partner. With this agreement, we continue to invest in our core hydraulics business and digital solutions to stay a strong technology partner,” says Kim Fausing, Danfoss President and CEO. 
Kim Fausing
“We believe Eaton’s Hydraulics business will benefit greatly from being part of a company that has hydraulics at its core,” says Arnold, Eaton Chairman and CEO. “When complete, this deal will bring together two talented teams with deep hydraulics knowledge and expertise. And Eaton’s hydraulics team will be part of a company that is committed to becoming a global leader in mobile and industrial hydraulics. The combined business will also benefit customers and distributors by offering industry-leading technology and a much broader portfolio of hydraulic solutions.”
The Danfoss and Eaton Hydraulics businesses are leaders in the industry and have many organizational similarities, including company culture and a focus on customers, R&D and quality. Both businesses are global with complementary geographic footprints and the combined business creates a broader presence across the world. Furthermore, the acquisition will enable Danfoss to enter the industrial hydraulics market that is served by Eaton Hydraulics.
Eaton Hydraulics provides products for customers in markets such as agriculture, construction, and in industrial market segments. The business will be transferred into the existing Danfoss business segment, Danfoss Power Solutions, adding approximately 11,000 employees and 2019 sales of 2.2 billion USD (2.0 billion EUR) to the business segment, which will double the hydraulics business. Danfoss today has approximately 28,000 employees and 2019 sales of 7.0 billion USD (6.3 billion EUR). Accordingly, with this transaction, Danfoss will increase its size by one-third. 
Eric Alstrom
“Hydraulics is our core, and we have for years strengthened our Power Solutions business through high customer focus, as well as through significant investments in technology leadership. I believe our customers will benefit from combining these two businesses into a full-line hydraulics player dedicated to innovation and with a broad offering of products, robust distribution channels and tremendous geographic reach,” says Eric Alström, President of Danfoss Power Solutions.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close by the end of the year.
