Topic: How To Invest

Q: Pat, could I have your thoughts on Steelcase? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

A: Steelcase Inc., $12.25, symbol SCS on New York (Shares outstanding: 87.0 million; Market cap: $1.4 billion; www.steelcase.com), is the largest office furniture manufacturer in the world. It has 11,100 employees and more than 800 dealers worldwide. On October 27, 2021, the company announced that it would acquire Spanish furniture designer Viccarbe Habitat. The price is $35 million U.S., with a further $22 million U.S. in payments over the next five years depending on performance targets being met. Viccarbe was founded in 2000 by Victor Carrasco and Daniel Benedito. The Spanish company designs contemporary furniture for social spaces within industries that include hospitality and education. Its portfolio is present in over 80 countries. It partners with international designers such as Jean-Marie Massaud, John Pawson, Patricia Urquiola, Piero Lissoni, Naoto Fukasawa, and Jaime Hayon. Viccarbe has annual revenue of about $16.9 million U.S. Steelcase has partnered with Viccarbe for more than a decade, so the business should be a good fit. By acquiring Viccarbe, Steelcase…