AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands – Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology announced that it has signed an agreement to sell its Domestic Appliances business, a global leader with EUR 2.2 billion sales in 2020 in kitchen, coffee, garment care and home care appliances, to Hillhouse Capital, a global investment firm focused on helping companies achieve long-term sustainable growth through digital innovation and enablement. The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including the relevant regulatory approvals.
The transaction values the Domestic Appliances business at an enterprise value of approximately EUR 3.7 billion. Upon completion of the transaction, Philips expects to receive cash proceeds after tax and transaction-related costs of approximately EUR 3 billion.
Additionally, Philips and Domestic Appliances will enter into an exclusive brand license agreement to use the Philips brand and certain of Philips’ other domestic appliances brands for manufacturing, sales, and marketing of Domestic Appliances products globally for a period of 15 years, which is renewable subject to the terms of the brand license agreement.
The annual payments over this period represent an estimated net present value of approximately EUR 0.7 billion, resulting in a total deal value of approximately EUR 4.4 billion. Following today’s agreement, the Domestic Appliances business will be presented as a discontinued operation in Philips’ financial statements as of the first quarter of 2021.
“I am pleased that in Hillhouse Capital we have found a new home for the Domestic Appliances business to further expand on its market leadership, strong brand and pipeline of new innovations” stated Frans van Houten CEO of Royal Philips.
“I am pleased that in Hillhouse Capital we have found a new home for the Domestic Appliances business to further expand on its market leadership, strong brand and pipeline of new innovations,” said Frans van Houten, CEO of Royal Philips. “This transaction concludes our major divestments. Going forward, our focus is on extending our leadership in health technology and continuing our transformation into a solutions company supporting professional healthcare customers achieve the Quadruple Aim and consumers with their personal health.”
Philips is a leading provider of integrated solutions to improve people’s health and well-being and optimize care provider productivity across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment, and home care. Philips’ EUR 3.2 billion Personal Health businesses play an important role in the company’s integrated health continuum approach through consumer-driven product and solutions innovation in areas such as oral healthcare, personal care, and mother & child care.
Hillhouse Capital
Hillhouse Capital invests globally with the aim of working with entrepreneurs and management teams to build high quality businesses that achieve sustainable long-term growth. Hillhouse has deep experience in integrating technology and data-driven architectures to drive digital innovation and business expansion. The firm has worked successfully with many global consumer and retail businesses to deepen consumer engagement and introduce innovative direct-to-consumer models, growing new customer segments and markets.
“We look forward to joining forces with Philips to expand into new markets and capture more growth opportunities globally,” said Lei Zhang, Founder and CEO of Hillhouse Capital. “We are aligned with Philips’ mission to bring high quality products to support healthy and fulfilling lifestyles for consumers across the globe.”
Philips Domestic Appliances
The Domestic Appliances business, which will remain headquartered in the Netherlands, is active in more than 100 countries, and has a global innovation, manufacturing, and commercial footprint. Its successful products include the Airfryer, Fully Automatic Espresso Machine with LatteGo, Perfect Care Elite steam generator, Air Purifier and SpeedPro Max vacuum cleaner. The business employs approximately 7,000 employees globally.
“I am convinced that together with Hillhouse Capital’s deep e-commerce, supply chain and digital expertise, we will be in a great position to continue bringing meaningful innovations to the consumer’s homes,” said Henk de Jong, CEO of Philips Domestic Appliances. “Based on our market leading product portfolio, broad customer and consumer base and R&D capabilities, we are keen to keep supporting families and individuals to lead healthier and happier lives. We look forward to working with Hillhouse to capture additional growth opportunities.”
