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FOR RELEASE: January 12, 2005
GM Agrees To Sell Electro-Motive
Division
DETROIT - General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), Greenbriar Equity Group
LLC and Berkshire Partners LLC today announced that they have reached
a definitive agreement in which GM will sell its Electro-Motive
Division (EMD) to an investor group led by Greenbriar and Berkshire
Partners. Terms of the transaction will not be disclosed.
The sale agreement covers substantially all of the Electro-Motive
businesses, including North American and international locomotives;
power, marine and industrial products; the spare parts and parts
rebuild business; and all of Electro-Motive's locomotive maintenance
contracts worldwide. Both the LaGrange, Illinois and London, Ontario
manufacturing facilities are included in the agreement.
The proposed sale is contingent on completing negotiations with
the United Auto Workers Union (UAW) and the subsequent ratification
by its members. The transaction is expected to close in the first
quarter of 2005.
"Greenbriar and Berkshire Partners have a long-term commitment
to creating value in the railroad industry that extends back to
the 1980s. Electro-Motive has outstanding products, employees and
a truly global franchise, and we believe the company's prospects
are bright," stated Reginald Jones, a managing partner of Greenbriar
Equity Group.
"GM is pleased to have Greenbriar and Berkshire Partners acquiring
the company," said William Happel, GM vice president and general
manager of Electro-Motive. "These groups have a long-established
reputation for excellence as rail industry investors and financiers.
As an independent company with access to the resources of the new
owners, Electro-Motive will be well positioned to continue to service
its customers and grow the business."
Electro-Motive employs approximately 2,600 hourly and salaried
people. The company designs, manufactures, markets, sells, and services
freight and passenger diesel-electric locomotives and diesel marine
and power generation products for use worldwide. Since the early
1930's, Electro-Motive and its associates have produced more than
58,000 diesel-electric locomotives for customers in 73 countries.
Electro-Motive diesel engines are used in over 100 countries worldwide.
Additional information may be found at www.EMDiesels.com.
General Motors, the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs
about 325,000 people globally. Founded in 1908, GM has been the
global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing
operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 192 countries.
Greenbriar Equity Group LLC is focused exclusively on making private
equity investments in the global transportation industry, including
companies in freight and passenger transport, commercial aerospace,
automotive, logistics, and related sectors. Greenbriar and Berkshire
Partners LLC have entered into a strategic joint venture and co-investment
agreement to address transportation and related investment opportunities.
Greenbriar manages $700 million of committed limited partner capital
and co-investment commitments and, together with Berkshire, has
access to more than $1 billion for investment in privately negotiated
equity investments within the transportation industry. Additional
information may be found at www.greenbriarequity.com.
Berkshire Partners has invested in mid-sized private companies
for the past twenty years through six investment funds with aggregate
capital commitments of approximately $3.5 billion. The firm's investment
strategy is to seek companies that have strong growth prospects
and to partner with talented management teams who are interested
in being owners of the companies they operate. Berkshire has developed
specific industry experience in several areas including consumer
products, industrial manufacturing, transportation, communications,
business services, and retailing and related services. Berkshire
has been an investor in over 80 operating companies with more than
$11.0 billion of acquisition value and combined revenues in excess
of $15.0 billion. Additional information may be found at www.berkshirepartners.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
GM - Jerry Dubrowski
212-418-6261 (office)
917-544-4885 (mobile)
Electro-Motive - John Cavanaugh
john.n.cavanaugh@emdiesels.com
+1 (708) 387-6355
Greenbriar Equity Group - Kathleen Moran
914-925-9692
Berkshire Partners - Larry Hamelsky
617-227-0050
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