LKQ enters into definitive agreement to acquire Uni-Select Inc.
by CM staff
Uni-Select shareholders will receive C$48.00 per share, providing them with immediate liquidity and certainty of value.
CHICAGO and BOUCHERVILLE — LKQ Corporation (LKQ) and Uni-Select Inc., have entered into a definitive agreement for LKQ to acquire all of Uni-Select’s issued and outstanding shares for C$48.00 per share in cash, representing a total enterprise value of approximately C$2.8 billion.
“This acquisition further enhances LKQ’s global automotive vehicle parts distribution business,” said Dominick Zarcone, President and CEO, LKQ Corporation. “Uni-Select’s North American automotive refinish paint and mechanical parts distribution operations complement LKQ’s existing footprint and will allow us to distribute a broader array of products to our customers. We look forward to welcoming Uni-Select’s employees to the LKQ team. We are also pleased that the acquisition will allow LKQ to build a significant presence in Québec, including Uni-Select’s Boucherville, Québec head office, expanding upon LKQ’s already existing business operations in that province.”
Founded in Boucherville, Québec, Canada in 1968, Uni-Select is a distributor of automotive refinish and industrial coatings and related products in North America through its FinishMaster segment, in the automotive aftermarket parts business in Canada through its Canadian Automotive Group segment and in the U.K. through its GSF Car Parts segment. With over 5,200 employees, 15 distribution centres and over 400 branches, Uni-Select supports over 70,000 customers annually across the United States, Canada, and the U.K.
“The transaction offers compelling value and liquidity to our shareholders and is the culmination of the efforts by our dedicated team to improve our operations and drive efficiencies with a focus on excellent customer service,” said Brian McManus, Executive Chair and CEO, Uni-Select. “We see great opportunities to benefit our customers, employees, suppliers and brands by combining our complementary strengths within the larger, multi-disciplinary and growing LKQ team.”
The transaction is expected to generate approximately US$55 million of annual run-rate cost synergies by the third year following closing, plus incremental revenue and margin opportunities across the Uni-Select and LKQ businesses.
