Crane Co. Value Stock - Dividend - Research Selection

We are a diversified manufacturer of highly engineered industrial products comprised of four segments: Fluid Handling, Payment & Merchandising Technologies, Aerospace & Electronics and Engineered Materials. Our primary markets are chemicals, oil & gas, power, automated payment solutions, banknote design and production and aerospace & defense, along with a wide range of general industrial and consumer related end markets.

We have been committed to the highest standards of business conduct since 1855 when our founder, R.T. Crane, resolved “to conduct my business in the strictest honesty and fairness; to avoid all deception and trickery; to deal fairly with both customers and competitors; to be liberal and just toward employees; and to put my whole mind upon the business.”

Our strategy is to grow earnings and cash flow by focusing on the manufacturing of highly engineered industrial products for specific markets where our scale is a relative advantage, and where we can compete based on our proprietary and differentiated technology, our deep vertical expertise, and our responsiveness to unique and diverse customer needs. We continuously evaluate our portfolio, pursue acquisitions that complement our existing businesses and are accretive to our growth profile, selectively divest businesses where appropriate, and pursue internal mergers to improve efficiency. We strive to foster a performance-based culture focused on productivity and continuous improvement, to attract and retain a committed management team whose interests are directly aligned with those of our shareholders, and to maintain a focused, efficient corporate structure.

We deploy a comprehensive set of business processes, philosophies and operational excellence tools to drive continuous improvement throughout our businesses. Beginning with a core value of integrity, we incorporate “Voice of the Customer” teachings (specific processes designed to capture our customers’ requirements) and a broad range of tools into a disciplined strategy deployment process that drives profitable growth by focusing on continuously improving safety, quality, delivery and cost. An embedded intellectual capital development process ensures that we attract, develop, promote and retain talent to drive continuity and repeatable results.

Reportable Segments

For additional information on recent business developments and other information about us and our business, you should refer to the information set forth under the captions, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in Part II, Item 7 of this report, as well as in Part II, Item 8 under Note 13, “Segment Information,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for sales, operating profit and assets employed by each segment.

Fluid Handling

The Fluid Handling segment is a provider of highly engineered fluid handling equipment for critical performance applications that require high reliability. The segment is comprised of Process Valves and Related Products, Commercial Valves and Other Products.

Process Valves and Related Products includes on/off valves and related products for critical and demanding applications in the chemical, oil & gas, power and general industrial end markets globally. Products are sold under the trade names Crane, Saunders, Jenkins, Pacific, Xomox, Krombach, DEPA, ELRO, REVO, Flowseal, Centerline, Resistoflex, Duochek, Barksdale, Westlock and WTA. Manufacturing locations, along with sales and service centers, are located across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.

Commercial Valves is engaged primarily in the manufacturing and distribution of valves and related products for the non-residential construction, general industrial, and to a lesser extent, municipal markets. The primary geographies served include Canada, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and continental Europe. Brands include Stockham, Wask, Viking Johnson, IAT, Hattersley, NABIC, Sperryn, Wade, Rhodes and Brownall. Manufacturing facilities are located in the United Kingdom and China, with additional sales offices in continental Europe and the Middle East; distribution facilities are located throughout Canada.

Other Products includes pumps and related products for water and wastewater applications in the industrial, municipal, commercial and military markets, primarily in the United States. Products are sold under the trade names Deming, Weinman, Burks and Barnes. Facilities are located in the United States and Canada.

Payment & Merchandising Technologies

The Payment & Merchandising Technologies segment consists of Crane Payment Innovations (“CPI”) and Merchandising Systems.

CPI provides high technology payment acceptance products that improve our customers’ productivity in numerous global markets including retail self-checkout, vending, casino gaming, government lotteries, parking, transit fare collection, payment kiosks and banking. Products for these markets include coin acceptors and dispensers, coin hoppers, coin recyclers, bill validators, bill recyclers and cashless systems. CPI facilities are located in the United States, Mexico, Japan, Switzerland, Germany and the Ukraine, with additional sales offices across the world.

Merchandising Systems is primarily engaged in the design and manufacture of vending equipment and related solutions. Merchandising Systems’ innovative products and solutions create value by improving the consumer experience, and driving higher same store, or vendor machine, profitability. Products include a full line of vending equipment that dispenses food, snack, and hot and cold beverages. Other solutions include vending management software, cashless payment products, and wireless connectivity to enable our customers to operate their businesses more profitably. Primary customers include vending operators and food and beverage companies, primarily in the United States and Europe. Facilities are located in the United States and the United Kingdom.

On January 10, 2018, we completed the acquisition of Crane & Co., Inc. (“Crane Currency”), a supplier of banknotes and highly engineered banknote security features. The base purchase price of the acquisition was $800 million on a cash-free, debt-free basis, subject to a later adjustment reflecting Crane Currency’s net working capital, cash, the assumption by Crane Co. of certain debt-like items, and Crane Currency’s transaction expenses. Founded in 1801, Crane Currency is a pioneer in advanced micro-optic security technology, and a fully integrated supplier of secure and highly engineered banknotes for central banks all over the world.

Aerospace & Electronics

The Aerospace & Electronics segment supplies critical components and systems, including original equipment and aftermarket parts, primarily for the commercial aerospace and military aerospace and defense markets. The commercial market and military market accounted for 69% and 31%, respectively, of total segment sales in 2017. Sales to original equipment manufacturers ("OEM") and aftermarket customers were 73% and 27%, respectively, in 2017.

Crane Aerospace & Electronics has strong brands which have been supplying products to these end markets for several decades. Brands include Hydro-Aire, ELDEC, Lear Romec, P.L. Porter, Keltec, Interpoint, Signal Technology, Merrimac Industries, and Polyflon.

Products include a wide range of custom designed, highly engineered products used in landing systems, sensing and utility systems, fluid management, seat actuation, power and microelectronic applications, and microwave systems.

Our products are sold directly to aircraft manufacturers, commercial Tier 1 integrators (companies which make products specifically for an aircraft manufacturer), defense and space prime contractors, airlines, government agencies including the United States ("U.S.") Department of Defense, foreign allied defense organizations, aircraft seat manufacturers, and aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul organizations.

Facilities are located in the United States, Taiwan, and France.

Engineered Materials

The Engineered Materials segment manufactures fiberglass-reinforced plastic ("FRP") panels and coils, primarily for use in the manufacturing of recreational vehicles ("RVs"), truck bodies, truck trailers, with additional applications in commercial and industrial buildings. Engineered Materials sells the majority of its products directly to RV, trailer, and truck manufacturers, and it uses distributors and retailers to serve the commercial and industrial construction markets. Manufacturing facilities are located in the United States.