ATLANTA, Jan. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mueller Water Products, Inc. (NYSE:MWA) today announced that it has sold its Anvil International division to One Equity Partners, a private equity firm, for $315 million in cash, effective immediately. Anvil is a leading domestic manufacturer of piping system components with applications in commercial, industrial, mechanical, fire protection and oil & gas end markets. Mueller Water Products also announced today that its Board of Directors has increased the Company’s quarterly dividend by 33 percent to $0.04 per share, and has authorized total share repurchases of up to $250 million which incorporates the current authorization.

Anvil Transaction
“Over the past year, the Board and management team, with the assistance of our external advisors, have thoroughly evaluated our options with respect to Anvil, and we believe that this transaction allows us to better allocate our capital and deliver increased value to our stockholders,” said Gregory E. Hyland, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Mueller Water Products is now a pure-play water infrastructure company that is ideally positioned to take advantage of the significant near- and long-term growth opportunities in the industry. The remaining core business will have leadership positions in most of its markets; industry-leading operating margins, capital returns and free cash flow generation; as well as an even stronger balance sheet.”

Anvil’s 2016 net sales were approximately $338 million, and the business contributed approximately $42 million of adjusted EBITDA to Mueller Water Products’ 2016 adjusted EBITDA. Mueller Water Products estimates net cash proceeds from the transaction, after taxes and transaction-related expenses, will be approximately $250 million.

Substantially all current employees of Anvil, including the existing management team led by president Patrick M. Donovan, will be joining the new company. “We believe that OEP is an ideal partner for Anvil, its employees and customers, as they are committed to making the investments necessary to take the business to the next level,” said Mr. Hyland.

“Anvil is a market leader with a broad portfolio of products, well-known premium brands and a commitment to customer service, so we are very excited about this transaction,” said Andrew Oliver, a Managing Director of One Equity Partners. “OEP is committed to investing in and growing its portfolio of manufacturing businesses, and we believe the addition of Anvil furthers OEP’s mission to build essential components, parts and products while creating value through investments in manufacturing. The future is very bright for Anvil as it focuses on its core strengths and strategies, and we look forward to helping the company grow and excel.”

BofA Merrill Lynch acted as financial advisor to Mueller Water Products in connection with the transaction. King & Spalding LLP acted as Mueller Water Products' principal legal advisor for the transaction and Dechert LLP was principal legal advisor for One Equity Partners.

$250 Million Share Repurchase Authorization

“We are committed to providing superior stockholder returns, and by substantially increasing the dividend and share repurchase authorization, our Board has clearly demonstrated its strong belief in the future performance of the business as well as a commitment to returning capital directly to stockholders,” Mr. Hyland stated. “Going forward, we will continue to carefully evaluate our capital allocation policies by appropriately balancing the additional return of capital, organic investments in our business, and acquisitions in areas adjacent to our core business that would enable us to better serve our customers. The key criteria for any such investments in the business will be that they deliver superior long-term value versus returning capital directly to stockholders. This share repurchase authorization is an important component of our capital allocation considerations because we believe that Mueller Water Products is now better positioned, as a pure-play water infrastructure company, to deliver further growth and additional stockholder value.”

Under the program, the Company may repurchase shares from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, as permitted under Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 10b-18. Repurchases of shares also may be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which would permit repurchases when the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so under insider trading laws.

Dividend Increase

Mueller Water Products’ cash dividend will increase 33 percent to $0.04 per share of common stock and will be effective for quarterly dividends payable on or about February 21, 2017 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 10, 2017.

Leadership Transition

In a separate press release today, Mueller Water Products announced that its Board has named J. Scott Hall, formerly President and CEO of Textron Inc.’s Industrial Segment, to the role of president and chief executive officer, effective January 23, 2017. Mr. Hyland will continue with the Company as executive chairman.

About Mueller Water Products, Inc.

Mueller Water Products, Inc. (NYSE:MWA) is a leading pure-play water infrastructure company that manufactures and sells products and services used in the transmission, distribution and measurement of water in North America. Our broad product and service portfolio includes engineered valves, fire hydrants, metering products and systems, leak detection and pipe condition assessment. We help municipalities increase operational efficiencies, improve customer service and prioritize capital spending, demonstrating why Mueller Water Products is Where Intelligence Meets Infrastructure®. Visit us at www.muellerwaterproducts.com.