Sauer-Danfoss Inc. on December 12 announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its AC motor business, primarily operating out of Odense, Denmark, to Schabmuller GmbH in Berching, Germany. The company is also reducing its earnings guidance for full year 2008 to $0.75 to $0.85 per share from its previous earnings guidance of $1.15 to $1.25 per share to reflect the impact from the sale and further deteriorating conditions in its end markets.
"Our lowered expectations are primarily driven by two factors," explained David J. Anderson, Sauer-Danfoss' president and chief executive officer. "Our markets in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific continue to deteriorate at a rapid pace as a result of the global credit crisis and general economic conditions, with customers pushing out orders on very short notice. In addition, our fourth quarter results will be impacted by a loss on the sale of our AC motor business related to the Material Handling market with a pre-tax charge of approximately $10.0 million, or $0.17 per share."
Anderson continued, "The sale of the AC motor business is the result of our decision to address this commodity business which continues to operate below our earnings expectations. We are retaining the technology as well as the engineering and production capabilities which will allow us to work on electrification solutions for off-road vehicle applications."
The sale of the AC motor business, with 2008 sales of approximately $35 million, is expected to close in the next 30 days contingent on receipt of German anti-trust clearance.
Sauer-Danfoss Inc. is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture, and sale of engineered hydraulic, electric and electronic systems and components, for use primarily in applications of mobile equipment. Sauer-Danfoss, with 9,800 employees worldwide and revenue of approximately $2.0 billion, has sales, manufacturing, and engineering capabilities in Europe, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region. The company's executive offices are located near Chicago in Lincolnshire, Ill.