Mahindra arm to buy Bengaluru co Bill Forge for Rs 1,331 cr to strengthen forging biz

New Delhi: Mahindra group’s auto component arm Mahindra CIE Automotive on Monday said it will acquire Bengaluru-based Bill Forge for Rs 1,331.2 crore. The company’s board, which met on Monday, approved 100 percent acquisition of Bill Forge Pvt Ltd and authorised signing of acquisition agreement, Mahindra CIE Automotive said in a regulatory filing.  “The acquisition would substantially increase revenue and profitability of the company from Asian markets and reinforce its position as one of the leading global forgings player,” it added. The acquisition also leads to diversification of the company’s business portfolio including entry into the two-wheeler segment, it added. The acquisition is proposed to be completed by end of October 2016, it said. As on March 31, 2016, Bill Forge had posted revenues of Rs 582.3 crore and profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 51.4 crore. As part of the deal, Mahindra CIE would issue 31,991,563 shares to the shareholders of Bill Forge besides it will also issue 22,500,000 shares to Participaciones Internacionales Autometal, one of the promoters of the Bengaluru-based firm. Founded in 1982, Bill Forge is a market leader in precision forging. It has six manufacturing facilities in the country across Bangaluru, Coimbatore and Haridwar. It is also setting up a plant at Celaya in Mexico. It supplies to a number of domestic and and global two-wheeler and passenger vehicle makers. Mahindra CIE Automotive’s board also approved raising of Rs 700 crore by way of issuing securities, including qualified institutions placement (QIP). Mahindra CIE Automotive shares, on Monday, ended 3.63 percent lower at Rs 190.90 apiece on the BSE, whose benchmark Sensex index finished down 1.54 per cent.