Benzinga | Jan 12, 2022 07:37AM EST

Embraer Announces Partnership For Embraer Metlicas And Embraer Compsitos Industrial Units; Transaction Contemplates Sale OF All Shares Oc Company's Subsidiaries To Aernnova For Reference Price Of $172M

Under the terms of the partnership, Aernnova acquires Embraer industrial plants in ?vora, Portugal, and a long-term supply agreement is signed between both companies

* Agreement aims to increase production and diversify client base

* Embraer reinforces and consolidates its commitment to Portugal and to the Portuguese aeronautical cluster

?VORA, Portugal, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Embraer ((B3: EMBR3, NYSE:ERJ) and Aernnova, an international reference company in the supply of aerostructures, today announced a strategic partnership for Embraer Met?licas and Embraer Comp?sitos industrial units, located in the Aeronautical Industry Park of ?vora, Portugal. The transaction contemplates the sale of all shares of company's wholly owned subsidiaries to Aernnova for the reference price of US$ 172 million, subject to adjustments on the closing date. The agreement aims to increase the production of the centers of excellence, which operation has a strategic importance for the current and future products of Embraer.

With 37,100 and 31,800-square meters respectively, and employing around 500 people, these facilities combine the most advanced technologies in both metallic and composite airframe construction with a high level of digitalization and automation of plant production processes.

Among other activities both factories produce parts for wings, vertical and horizontal stabilizers for programs such as the Praetor 500 and Praetor 600 business jets, the two generations of the E-Jets family of commercial jets and the multi-mission aircraft KC-390 Millennium. ?vora industrial units will constitute Aernnova's largest production center in the world.

Under the terms of the partnership, Aernnova assumes the operation of the industrial plants in ?vora at the same time as it signs a supply agreement to secure current production packages for Embraer aircraft.

This agreement strengthens the Aernnova's position as a tier 1 supplier for single aisle aircraft and improves its presence in the executive and defense aerospace markets. ?vora facilities activity will add around US$170 million to Aernnova's revenues figure. The industrial capacity at Evora plants will also allow Aernnova to further expand Evora current activities with new contracts either from Embraer or other aircrafts manufacturers.

"We are pleased to announce this partnership with Aernnova, a world renowned supplier in the aerostructures segment, which will allow for increasing the occupation level of the factories in ?vora, to diversify its client base and to bring new business opportunities," said Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer. "This agreement is an important step towards the footprint optimization strategic initiative, which aims to better use of our assets and improve the company's profitability."

Mr. Ricardo Chocarro, CEO of Aernnova, said: "This deal is another step forward in Aernnova's growth strategy, further underlining the company's status as a global leader in the design and manufacturing of aerostructures. We plan to further develop the operations of the facilities, and establish ?vora as a global aerostructure manufacturing benchmark, with the technical and commercial support of Aernnova group, and with the continuous commitment of the company to a digital and sustainable aeronautical industry"

With this strategic movement, Embraer reinforces and consolidates its commitment with Portugal, the country where the company invests the most in its industrial capacity outside of Brazil and which is a strategic location for Embraer's presence in Europe.

The closing of the transaction is subject to the completion of certain conditions which the parties expect to accomplish in the first quarter of 2022.

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