Oct 4 2007
Steel Dynamics, Inc. and OmniSource Corporation have announced the execution of a definitive agreement whereby Steel Dynamics (SDI) will acquire OmniSource, one of North America’s largest scrap recycling companies, a privately held company based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Pursuant to the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, Steel Dynamics will acquire all of the outstanding stock of OmniSource Corporation in a transaction valued at slightly more than $1 billion. OmniSource shareholders will receive 9.7 million shares of Steel Dynamics stock and $425 million in cash. The aggregate transaction value includes the assumption by SDI of certain liabilities, including net debt, which is expected to be approximately $210 million at closing. Completion of the transaction is subject only to regulatory approval, and is expected to close in November 2007.
OmniSource will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Steel Dynamics and will continue its focus on the ferrous and nonferrous scrap processing, brokerage, and industrial scrap management needs of its customers. SDI’s existing scrap operations in Virginia and Tennessee will be consolidated into OmniSource, as will its planned scrap processing facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. The acquisition is expected to result in synergies of approximately $15 million per year.
Danny Rifkin, OmniSource’s current President and CEO, will join the SDI management team as an Executive Vice President of SDI’s newly formed recycled metals platform. He will continue to lead the OmniSource subsidiary as President and Chief Operating Officer. Rifkin will also be named to SDI’s Board of Directors.
Keith Busse, SDI’s Chairman and CEO, commented, “This acquisition creates a significant new business platform for SDI and represents a quantum leap as it would regard strategic expansion into the steel scrap and recycled metals sector, which is an important element of our overall growth plan. Aside from the fact that scrap is a critical resource for our steelmaking operations, and Omni has historically been one of our largest suppliers, this acquisition opens the door for further profitable growth in a sector of increasing relevance on a global scale. OmniSource is one of the premier, if not the premier organization in both the ferrous and non-ferrous scrap industries, and has demonstrated its ability to successfully grow its business.
“When considered in conjunction with SDI’s recently announced mining and minerals projects in the State of Minnesota, Steel Dynamics will become the only domestic steelmaker to have a significant presence in both the virgin iron ore and ferrous recycling markets. These initiatives are expected to play a significant role in SDI’s future steelmaking growth,” Busse said.
Danny Rifkin added, “This transaction presents a unique opportunity for all stakeholders and presents our employees with new growth opportunities. We have been associated with Steel Dynamics since its founding, and applaud the tremendous success that the company has achieved. I believe that the addition of OmniSource to the SDI family will prove to be very strategic over the long-term, and we look forward to continued growth and expansion in the scrap industry tied to the world-class service for which OmniSource has become known. I am personally excited to join the SDI management team, and to play a significant role in the broader scope of an integrated metals company.”