PDI Acquired by Smiths in $235 Million Deal

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The PDI i-Con modular data center. PDI has been acquired by Smiths Interconnect for $235 million.

Power Holdings Inc., the parent company of power equipment specialist Power Distribution Inc. (PDI), has been acquired by Smith Interconnect for $235 million, the two companies said today. The seller in the all-cash deal is private equity firm Bertram Growth Capital I, which acquired PDI in 2007.

PDI is the parent company for Power Distribution, Inc., Marelco Power Systems and Onyx Power. It produces power distribution units, static transfer switches, remote power panels, power conditioning units, medium and low voltage transformers and patented power monitors used mainly in data center and alternative energy applications. PDI is also among the players in the market for modular data centers with its i-Con Modular offering.

Division of Smiths Group PLC

Smiths Interconnect is a division of UK-based technology conglomerate Smiths Group plc. Smiths Interconnect is focused on core technology groups: microwave; connectors and power management. The acquisition of PDI transforms the existing power protection group with a new range of products and growth opportunities.

"The addition of PDI strengthens our offering of technically differentiated solutions for applications requiring ultra-reliable and precise power performance including higher-growth end markets such as data centers and alternative energy," said Smiths Interconnect President Ralph Phillips added. "We will now be able to provide a breadth of high reliability power quality capabilities, including conditioning, protection, distribution, filtering and monitoring to ensure the optimum function of advanced electrical systems.”

"Smiths Interconnect operates in a highly fragmented market that offers great scope for consolidation," said Smiths Group Chief Executive Philip Bowman. "PDI is its sixth and largest acquisition in three years, all adhering to our strategic criteria of adding complementary technologies, extending geographic reach or leveraging existing sales networks. This latest transaction expands its range of power quality technologies into new, specialized, high growth markets."

PDI is based in Richmond, which also has facilities in Santa Ana, California and Howell, Michigan, employs around 370 people. It is expected to generate sales of around $156 million this calendar year with more than 90% of revenues from non-government funded markets.