BELOIT, Wis. - Regal-Beloit Corp. announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with General Electric Co. under which Regal-Beloit will acquire the HVACR motors and capacitors operations of GE Consumer and Industrial. GE's HVACR motors and capacitors operations include a line of motors for residential HVAC applications and capacitors for HVAC and high intensity lighting applications.

The transaction is valued at approximately $379 million and is expected to close by the end of December, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions and the receipt of required regulatory approvals. Regal-Beloit expects the acquisition and related financing to add approximately $.32 to $.34 to 2005 diluted earnings per share after giving effect to an estimated $.20 per share of one-time costs related to integration activities and acquisition accounting.

James L. Packard, CEO and chairman of Regal-Beloit, stated, "We are tremendously excited to announce this acquisition. The acquisition of GE's HVAC/Refrigeration motor and capacitor operations is another significant step in our strategy to expand our end markets and product offering. Additionally, the acquisition adds four outstanding facilities to our manufacturing footprint and continues our strategy to expand our manufacturing capabilities on a global basis. We are also excited about the potential for the leading edge ECM technology that is a part of this transaction."