Baxter International Inc., a global medical products company, and Hillrom, a global medical technology company, have announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement under which Baxter has agreed to acquire Hillrom for $156 per share in cash for a total equity value of approximately $10.5 billion and a total enterprise value of approximately $12.4 billion, including the assumption of debt.
Hillrom brings a highly complementary product portfolio and innovation pipeline that will enable Baxter to provide a broader array of medical products and services to patients and clinicians across the care continuum and around the world, facilitating the delivery of healthcare that is patient- and customer-centered and focused on improving clinical outcomes. The combination is also expected to accelerate the companies’ expansion into digital and connected care solutions that are increasingly enabling patients with access to hospital-level care at home or in other care settings.
“Baxter and Hillrom share a common vision for transforming healthcare to better serve all patients and providers,” said José (Joe) E. Almeida, Baxter’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Patients increasingly want to receive their care at home or nearby, while hospitals and other care providers are increasingly using digital health technologies to expand access, improve quality and lower costs. Baxter and Hillrom are uniting to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving global healthcare landscape, while also creating significant value for all the stakeholders we serve. We’re very excited to welcome the Hillrom team to Baxter, and to join together to advance our mission to save and sustain lives.”
John Groetelaars, Hillrom’s president and chief executive officer, said, “We are proud of the steps we have taken to transform Hillrom into a medical technology leader with an innovative portfolio of connected care solutions. Today’s milestone announcement represents a win-win for all stakeholders. Patients and caregivers will benefit from enhanced capabilities across the continuum of care, our shareholders will receive a significant and immediate premium for their investment, and our employees will benefit from being part of a larger, stronger company with accelerated growth opportunities. Baxter is the ideal partner to enhance our global reach and realize the true potential of our vision to accelerate medical innovation around the world. With our shared patient-centric cultures, we look forward to seamlessly bringing our two companies together.”
Strategic Rationale
The Baxter-Hillrom combination will expand access to Hillrom’s portfolio globally; broaden the presence of the combined companies across sites of care; accelerate and strengthen the combined organization’s digital transformation; and is expected to generate compelling financial returns for Baxter’s shareholders.
Key benefits of the acquisition include:
- A common vision for transforming healthcare to improve efficiencies and clinical outcomes, drive actionable insights and lead across the care continuum: The complementary product offering of the combined companies will support the patient in the hospital, at home, and in alternate sites of care, allowing better integration and coordination of healthcare delivery.
- A strengthened portfolio with opportunity to accelerate digitally-enabled connected healthcare and expand penetration of combined solutions worldwide: The companies’ combined capabilities in therapeutic delivery, monitoring, blood purification, diagnostics and communications for patients and caregivers will enhance opportunities for truly connected care that result in better patient outcomes, improved workflow efficiencies and data-driven insights while lowering healthcare costs overall.
- A robust combined platform for shareholder value creation through meaningful anticipated synergies with a continued commitment to strong cash flow generation: The transaction provides a significant opportunity to build upon Baxter’s established global infrastructure to grow Hillrom’s international business, which currently represents approximately one-third of Hillrom’s total 2020 revenue. It should also meaningfully enhance Baxter’s earnings growth through the realization of substantial cost synergies and potential opportunities to accelerate revenue growth over the longer term.
- A shared culture that values inclusivity, innovation and corporate responsibility: The combination unites two organizations that have each been recognized for achievements in workplace diversity and corporate responsibility, and for fostering an environment that supports and encourages high performance, respect for individuals, and professional growth.
Transaction Highlights
Upon completion of the transaction, Baxter will pay $156.00 in cash for each outstanding share of Hillrom common stock for a purchase price of $10.5 billion. Baxter will also assume Hillrom’s outstanding debt and cash, for a total enterprise value of $12.4 billion. The purchase price represents a 26% premium to Hillrom’s closing stock price on July 27, 2021, the last trading day prior to media reports speculating about a potential transaction.
Baxter expects the combination to result in approximately $250 million of annual pre-tax cost synergies by the end of year three. This estimate excludes any benefit from potential new revenue growth opportunities resulting from the combination of the two organizations.
The transaction is expected to be low double-digit accretive to Baxter’s adjusted earnings per share (EPS) in the first full year post close, increasing to more than 20% by year three. The transaction is also expected to expand Baxter’s overall adjusted EBITDA margins over the medium-term and deliver strong cash flow generation with a high single-digit return on invested capital (ROIC) expected by year five.
Baxter will finance the transaction through a combination of cash and fully committed debt financing. At closing, Baxter estimates that it will have net leverage of approximately 4.2x net debt to pro forma[1] adjusted EBITDA of the combined companies (as estimated by Baxter management). Baxter is committed to an investment grade credit rating and deleveraging to 2.75x net leverage within two years of closing.
Approvals and Timing
The Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved the acquisition. The transaction is subject to the approval of Hillrom shareholders and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close by early 2022.
Additional Information About the Merger and Where to Find It
This release relates to the proposed transaction involving Hillrom. This release is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. In connection with the proposed transaction, Hillrom will file relevant materials with the SEC, including Hillrom’s proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Proxy Statement”). This release is not a substitute for the Proxy Statement or any other document that Hillrom may file with the SEC or send to its shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, SHAREHOLDERS OF HILLROM ARE URGED TO READ ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING THE PROXY STATEMENT, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the documents (when available) free of charge at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, or by visiting Hillrom’s investor relations website, https://ir.hill-rom.com/ir-home/default.aspx.
[1] Pro forma amounts as presented in this press release represent the combined results of Baxter and Hillrom and are not intended to represent pro forma financial information under Article 11 of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X.
