Honeywell has agreed to sell its personal protective equipment (PPE) business to Protective Industrial Products, Inc. (PIP), a portfolio company of Odyssey Investment Partners, for USD1.325 billion in an all-cash transaction. The transaction will enable Honeywell to further simplify its portfolio in order to accelerate value creation in alignment with three compelling megatrends: automation, the future of aviation and energy transition.

Honeywell's PPE business, part of the industrial automation business portfolio, is a global provider of PPE for industrial workers, offering a comprehensive and differentiated product portfolio that serves a diverse and resilient set of growing customers and end markets.

This follows the divestiture of Honeywell's lifestyle and performance footwear business to Rocky Brands for USD230 million in 2021 and completes Honeywell's exit from PPE. Honeywell will retain its gas detection portfolio within the industrial automation segment.

The PPE business has approximately 5,000 employees and a streamlined global manufacturing and distribution footprint that allows for cost-effective production, close proximity to customers and optimised lead times. It currently operates 20 manufacturing sites and 17 distribution sites across the U.S., Mexico, Europe, North Africa, Asia Pacific and China.

"Over the last five years, our PPE business has experienced significant wins as a result of its operational improvement initiatives, footprint rationalisation and quick adaptation to global needs following the pandemic. Now with this transaction, the business will be positioned to accelerate its growth trajectory as it benefits from Odyssey's historic investing in the PPE sector and scaling similar businesses to expand into new products, geographies and end markets," said Vimal Kapur, Chairman and CEO, Honeywell.

Kapur added, "As we continue to simplify and optimise Honeywell's portfolio, the sale of the PPE business will enable us to further strengthen our core business in alignment with our three compelling megatrends. The combination of today's announcement, with the strategic acquisitions we have made over the past year, positions us to continue to drive profitable growth and strong cash generation while creating compelling long-term value for our shareowners."

PIP is a global supplier and manufacturer of PPE products.  Odyssey Investment Partners is a leading private equity investment firm with a 25-year history of transforming industrial and business services companies into more efficient and diversified businesses with strong growth profiles.

"As a leader in personal protective equipment, we have a uniquely talented team and a rich legacy of award-winning innovations that position us for continued long-term success delivering a full suite of head-to-toe safety solutions to our longstanding customer base," said Mike Garceau, Personal Protective Equipment President and CEO, Honeywell . "We look forward to joining the PIP family and continuing to build a strong future for our employees and delivering value for our customers across the globe."

The transaction follows Honeywell's recent disclosure in its Q3 2024 earnings of its intention to sell the PPE business. It also aligns with Honeywell's commitment to optimise its portfolio by taking action to divest from non-core lines of business while pursuing high-return acquisitions that will drive future growth in alignment with its three powerful megatrends. The sale of the PPE business builds on Honeywell's completion of four strategic acquisitions over the past 12 months as part of its disciplined capital deployment strategy. In addition, Honeywell announced a plan last month to spin off its Advanced Materials business into an independent, U.S. publicly traded company, which is targeted to be completed by the end of 2025 or early 2026.

The transaction, which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025, is subject to customary closing conditions.