Wabtec Corporation (WAB) is strengthening its operations through strategic acquisitions. To this end, Wabtec announced that it has completed the acquisition of Evident’s Inspection Technologies division (Inspection Technologies) for $1.78 billion (~$1.68 billion after tax benefits).
The deal was financed through a combination of cash on hand, newly issued term notes, plus term loans and short-term borrowing under the company’s credit agreement. The deal was initially announced on Jan. 14, 2025.
The purchase price marks an estimated multiple of 12.0x projected 2025 EBITDA adjusted for transaction and separation costs, anticipated tax benefits, and projected run-rate cost synergies of $25 million.Wabtec plans to incorporate the revenue and earnings per share (EPS) impact of this acquisition into its full-year financial guidance during its second-quarter 2025 earnings call. WAB is slated to release its second-quarter 2025 earnings on July 24, 2025, before market open.
Rafael Santana, president and chief executive officer of Wabtec, stated, “Today, we are a stronger company with the addition of Inspection Technologies. The acquisition expands and strengthens our Digital Intelligence business, with advanced products and services for the Company’s rail, mining, and industrial sectors, while broadening our reach into other high-growth, high-margin end-markets. It enhances Wabtec's existing portfolio, is accretive to key financial metrics, and aligns with the company's long-term vision to lead the industry in innovation for our customers.”
How Will Wabtec Benefit?
The acquisition of Inspection Technologies is anticipated to generate immediate shareholder value with a high single-digit revenue growth outlook, accretive adjusted earnings before interest and taxes margins and accretive return on invested capital over time. Further, the deal is expected to be slightly accretive to adjusted EPS in the second half of 2025.
The deal widens Wabtec’s Digital Intelligence business growth opportunities and recurring revenue, effectively doubling the size of its total addressable market from almost $8 billion to $16 billion.
Overall, the deal is likely to boost Wabtec's product portfolio and operational excellence, enabling it to deliver superior solutions to customers and increase its business opportunities in high-growth industrial markets.
Nalin Jain, president of Wabtec’s Digital Intelligence Group, stated, “Inspection Technologies’ product portfolio strongly complements our existing digital technologies, while adding advanced automated inspection capabilities in a space where data acquisition, analytics, and automation are critical. It will accelerate the development of scalable technologies by integrating advanced analytics, sensors, and AI technology to deliver enhanced predictive maintenance capabilities to our customers. Evident Inspection Technology employees have done a fantastic job in delivering these innovative technologies and I am looking forward to welcoming them to the Wabtec family.”
WAB's Zacks Rank & Price Performance
Wabtec currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
WAB shares have gained 10.4% so far this year, outperforming the Zacks Transportation - Equipment and Leasing industry as well as the S&P 500, of which the company is a key member.
WAB Stock YTD Price Comparison
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Air Lease Corporation (AL): Free Stock Analysis Report SkyWest, Inc. (SKYW): Free Stock Analysis Report Wabtec (WAB): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
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