Electrolux Group Divests South African Water Heater Business
Electrolux Group Divests South African Water Heater Business. Electrolux Group has signed an agreement to divest its water heater business in South Africa under the Kwikot brand for an enterprise value of ZAR 2.4bn (approx. SEK 1.4bn) to Haier Smart Home.
The divestment includes the Kwikot brand and the production facilities for water heaters (geysers) located in Johannesburg, and is part of the previously communicated work to sharpen the Group’s strategic focus by divesting non-core assets.
The sale is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2024 and is subject to regulatory approvals. A negative earnings impact of approximately SEK 0.6bn from the divestment will be recorded as a non-recurring item, impacting business area Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa during the second half of 2024. This includes a significant negative currency effect from the ZAR depreciation, which does not affect equity.
The water heater business in South Africa is profitable and the Kwikot brand is well-known in the market. Net sales in 2023 related to this business amounted to approximately ZAR 1.9bn (approx. SEK 1.1bn).
