Update1/11/2022: Array Technologies completed the acquisition of European solar tracker manufacturer STI Norland.
“The integration of STI Norland into Array’s business positions us to accelerate our international expansion and address rising demand for utility-scale solar around the world,” said Brad Forth, Chairman of Array. “It will allow us to continue to solidify our relationships with key international customers and create access to a lower cost, proven product. The closing of this transaction marks an exciting milestone in Array’s history and supports our mission to deliver value to our customers through innovation in everything we do.”
U.S. headquartered Array Technologies will acquire Spanish tracking competitor STI Norland for approximately €570 million ($652 million) in cash and stock. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022. Javier Reclusa, CEO of STI Norland, as well as the rest of the company’s senior management team will remain with Array following the closing of the transaction and continue to lead STI Norland.
STI Norland’s STI-H250
“This transaction is an important first step in the expansion strategy that we articulated when we announced our preferred equity investment from Blackstone in August. The combination of Array and STI Norland creates the global leader in trackers with leading positions in every major market for solar outside of China and India. STI Norland brings to Array a proven product line that is ideally suited for complementary markets which will help to accelerate our international expansion plans. The increased scale of the combined enterprise also provides opportunities for significant cost reduction as we drive greater volumes with our suppliers and achieve increased leverage on our fixed costs,” Forth said.
This combination cements Array now as the largest solar tracker company in the world. The combined business will have leading positions in North America, Latin America and Europe, the three largest markets for solar outside of China. STI Norland has an established sales presence in Europe, Latin America, Australia and South Africa. By leveraging STI Norland’s existing sales infrastructure and relationships, Array will be able to accelerate its expansion plans for international markets. The combined company is expected to derive approximately 30% of its revenues from international projects in 2022.
“We look forward to welcoming STI Norland’s employees to Array. Both STI Norland and Array are rooted in entrepreneurial, founder-operated businesses that are focused on innovation. Together, I believe we have the technology, culture and capabilities to build a truly global business that can create tremendous value for our customers, employees and shareholders,” said Jim Fusaro, Chief Executive Officer of Array.
STI Norland generates approximately 95% of its revenues outside of the U.S. and there is virtually no overlap between the company’s major customers and Array’s major customers. Following the closing of the transaction, Array intends to initiate several cost reduction plans across the combined company which will include evaluating additional supplier discounts that may be available from combining purchasing volumes, identifying common components where either company has advantaged pricing, and implementing mutual manufacturing best practices across both companies’ facilities to reduce cost.
STI Norland was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Pamplona, Spain with manufacturing facilities in both Spain and Brazil. Its dual-row tracker system is designed to adapt to irregular terrain and regions with low wind and/or snow load requirements. Since its inception, STI has manufactured more than 12 GW worth of solar trackers.
Javier Reclusa, Chief Executive Officer of STI Norland, added, “The entire STI Norland team is excited about joining Array and the opportunities that the combination of the two companies will unlock. We have a tremendous amount of respect for Array, its technology and management and I look forward to working closely with Brad and Jim to support their ambitious expansion plans.”
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