Lynchburg-based BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) recently announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Sotera Health’s Nordion medical isotope business. This acquisition accelerates and de-risks BWXT’s entrance into the medical radioisotope market. It will add licensed infrastructure, approximately 150 highly trained and experienced personnel and two production centers to BWXT.
Headquartered in Lynchburg, BWXT is a leading supplier of nuclear components and fuel to the U.S. government. The company provides technical and management services to support the U.S. government in the operation of complex facilities and environmental remediation activities; and supplies precision manufactured components, services and fuel for the commercial nuclear power industry. With approximately 6,100 employees, BWXT has nine major operating sites in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, BWXT joint ventures provide management and operations at more than a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities.
BWXT’s traditional and unique competencies in radiochemical processing are expanding into a high growth market, and this announcement furthers their ability to move forward in this space. BWXT has previously announced plans to enter the radioisotope market with new technology, and this acquisition is the first step in that process.
Subject to required Canadian and U.S. regulatory reviews and approvals, the acquisition of Sotera Health’s Nordion medical radioisotope business is expected to close by the end of 2018.
Nordion’s medical radioisotopes business is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of critical medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals for research, diagnostic and therapeutic uses. Its customers include radiopharmaceutical companies, hospitals and radiopharmacies. Its primary operations are located in Kanata, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Nordion’s medical isotope and contract manufacturing operations included in this acquisition will continue to operate to the high level of service their customers have come to expect with no disruption to current operations.
In conjunction with the closing of the Nordion medical isotope acquisition, BWXT expects to reduce capital expenditures by approximately $100 million, before acquisition costs. The Company now expects capital expenditures of approximately $150 million in 2018.