Finisar to Acquire Infineon Fiber Optics Business
Joint News Release by Infineon and Finisar
Munich, Germany / Sunnyvale, Calif. April 29, 2004 Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR) and Infineon Technologies AG (FSE/NYSE: IFX) announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement in which Finisar has agreed to acquire Infineons Fiber Optics Business Unit based in Munich, Germany, for 135 million shares of Finisar common stock. The acquisition transaction implies a valuation of US dollar 263 million based on the closing share price as of April 28, 2004. Following the transaction, Infineon will hold a 38 percent equity interest in Finisar. The transaction is subject to approval by Finisars shareholders, applicable regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Jerry Rawls, President and CEO of Finisar as well as Frank Levinson, Chairman and Chief Technology Officer of Finisar, who own 15 percent of the shares entered into a voting right agreement with Infineon that they will vote their shares in favor of the transaction.
The acquisition involves the transfer of Infineons fiber optic development, manufacturing, and certain marketing activities and approximately 1,200 employees. The Infineon Fiber Optics Business Unit develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of fiber optic datacom and telecom modules supporting the common MSA standards, BIDI components that allow bi-directional transmission on a single fiber for fiber-to-the-home applications (FTTH) and Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) components that are used in automotive applications, specifically, for media and safety systems.
Finisar expects to realize significant synergies within the first year following closing of the transaction. These synergies will result mainly from complementary technology and customer base.
In the second quarter ended March 31, 2004, Infineons Fiber Optics Business Unit posted revenues of approximately US dollar 32 million. Combined with Finisars revenue guidance of US dollar 55 US dollar 60 million in its fourth quarter ending April 30, 2004, the combination would create the largest pure-play optical components company in the world.
Leveraging the unique optical capabilities of both companies, this combination will be an important step in the ongoing consolidation of the fiber optic market, said Thomas Seifert, CEO of Infineons Wireline Communications Business Group. In Finisar, we have found an excellent strategic partner with a mutual interest in securing the future of the Fiber Optics Business unit. As one of the largest pure-play optical components companies, the combined forces will be able to provide more flexibility, broader product portfolio and cost efficiency to meet our customer requirements.
This acquisition will add important new product and technology platforms which should strengthen our position in our core markets as well as help us to diversify our revenue base in terms of end markets, customers and distribution channels, said Jerry Rawls, Finisars President and CEO. About 40 percent of Infineons business is in markets where we currently dont compete including the automotive industry and emerging fiber-to-the-home opportunity. The combined product offerings of both companies will be unsurpassed in terms of product breadth and technology for datacom applications while providing important new tools for leveraging our penetration of WDM and telecom applications. Furthermore, we have identified significant synergies that should help make this a successful and a profitable combination.
Pending customary regulatory approvals and the approval of Finisars shareholders, the transaction is expected to close in the third calendar quarter of this year. Assets to be transferred in the transaction include Infineon Fiber Optics GmbH with its locations in Berlin (development, manufacturing and marketing), Munich (development and manufacturing) and Regensburg (development and marketing). In addition the manufacturing facilities in Trutnov (Czech Republic), development and marketing activities in Longmont and San Jose (USA) and Infineons stake in the ParoLink joint venture with UEC in Taiwan will be transferred. In addition, Finisar will acquire a considerable portfolio of know-how and intellectual property consisting of approximately 450 patents and patent applications.
At closing, Thomas Seifert, CEO of Infineon's Wireline Communications Business Group, is expected to join the Finisar Board of Directors. Infineon is expected to continue to be a strategic supplier of IC chips to the combined entity.
Deutsche Bank Securities acted as financial advisor to Finisar.
www.finisar.com
Munich, Germany / Sunnyvale, Calif. April 29, 2004 Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR) and Infineon Technologies AG (FSE/NYSE: IFX) announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement in which Finisar has agreed to acquire Infineons Fiber Optics Business Unit based in Munich, Germany, for 135 million shares of Finisar common stock. The acquisition transaction implies a valuation of US dollar 263 million based on the closing share price as of April 28, 2004. Following the transaction, Infineon will hold a 38 percent equity interest in Finisar. The transaction is subject to approval by Finisars shareholders, applicable regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Jerry Rawls, President and CEO of Finisar as well as Frank Levinson, Chairman and Chief Technology Officer of Finisar, who own 15 percent of the shares entered into a voting right agreement with Infineon that they will vote their shares in favor of the transaction.
The acquisition involves the transfer of Infineons fiber optic development, manufacturing, and certain marketing activities and approximately 1,200 employees. The Infineon Fiber Optics Business Unit develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of fiber optic datacom and telecom modules supporting the common MSA standards, BIDI components that allow bi-directional transmission on a single fiber for fiber-to-the-home applications (FTTH) and Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) components that are used in automotive applications, specifically, for media and safety systems.
Finisar expects to realize significant synergies within the first year following closing of the transaction. These synergies will result mainly from complementary technology and customer base.
In the second quarter ended March 31, 2004, Infineons Fiber Optics Business Unit posted revenues of approximately US dollar 32 million. Combined with Finisars revenue guidance of US dollar 55 US dollar 60 million in its fourth quarter ending April 30, 2004, the combination would create the largest pure-play optical components company in the world.
Leveraging the unique optical capabilities of both companies, this combination will be an important step in the ongoing consolidation of the fiber optic market, said Thomas Seifert, CEO of Infineons Wireline Communications Business Group. In Finisar, we have found an excellent strategic partner with a mutual interest in securing the future of the Fiber Optics Business unit. As one of the largest pure-play optical components companies, the combined forces will be able to provide more flexibility, broader product portfolio and cost efficiency to meet our customer requirements.
This acquisition will add important new product and technology platforms which should strengthen our position in our core markets as well as help us to diversify our revenue base in terms of end markets, customers and distribution channels, said Jerry Rawls, Finisars President and CEO. About 40 percent of Infineons business is in markets where we currently dont compete including the automotive industry and emerging fiber-to-the-home opportunity. The combined product offerings of both companies will be unsurpassed in terms of product breadth and technology for datacom applications while providing important new tools for leveraging our penetration of WDM and telecom applications. Furthermore, we have identified significant synergies that should help make this a successful and a profitable combination.
Pending customary regulatory approvals and the approval of Finisars shareholders, the transaction is expected to close in the third calendar quarter of this year. Assets to be transferred in the transaction include Infineon Fiber Optics GmbH with its locations in Berlin (development, manufacturing and marketing), Munich (development and manufacturing) and Regensburg (development and marketing). In addition the manufacturing facilities in Trutnov (Czech Republic), development and marketing activities in Longmont and San Jose (USA) and Infineons stake in the ParoLink joint venture with UEC in Taiwan will be transferred. In addition, Finisar will acquire a considerable portfolio of know-how and intellectual property consisting of approximately 450 patents and patent applications.
At closing, Thomas Seifert, CEO of Infineon's Wireline Communications Business Group, is expected to join the Finisar Board of Directors. Infineon is expected to continue to be a strategic supplier of IC chips to the combined entity.
Deutsche Bank Securities acted as financial advisor to Finisar.
About Finisar
Finisar Corporation (NASDAQ: FNSR) is a technology leader for fiber optic subsystems and network performance test systems. These products enable high-speed data communications for networking and storage applications over Gigabit Ethernet Local Area Networks (LANs), Fibre Channel Storage Area Networks (SANs), and Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) using IP and SONET/SDH-based protocols. The Company's headquarters is in Sunnyvale, California, USA.www.finisar.com
About Infineon
Infineon Technologies AG, Munich, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions for the automotive and industrial sectors, for applications in the wired communications markets, secure mobile solutions as well as memory products. With a global presence, Infineon operates in the US from San Jose, CA, in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore and in Japan from Tokyo. In fiscal year 2003 (ending September), the company achieved sales of Euro 6.15 billion with about 32,300 employees worldwide. Infineon is listed on the DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX).
www.infineon.com.
SAFE HARBOR UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
Except for statements of historical fact, the statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding Finisars expectations, beliefs, intentions, or strategies regarding the future. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to Finisar as of the date hereof, and Finisar assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These uncertainties include potential problems related to the assimilation and integration of the operations, technologies and products of Infineons Fiber Optics Business, as well as risks associated with the rapidly evolving markets for Finisars products and uncertainty regarding the development of these markets; Finisars historical dependence on sales to a limited number of customers and fluctuations in the mix of customers in any period; ongoing new product development and introduction of new and enhanced products; the challenges of rapid growth followed by periods of contraction; and intensive competition. Other risks relating to Finisars business are set forth in Finisars Annual Report on Form 10-K and other interim reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Contacts:
Finisar Corporation
Steve Workman
Senior VP Finance, CFO
Phone: +1-408-542-4102
steve.workman@finisar.com
Finisar Corporation
Investor Relations
Shelby Palmer
Phone: +1-408-542-5050
investor.relations@finisar.com
www.infineon.com.
SAFE HARBOR UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
Except for statements of historical fact, the statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding Finisars expectations, beliefs, intentions, or strategies regarding the future. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to Finisar as of the date hereof, and Finisar assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These uncertainties include potential problems related to the assimilation and integration of the operations, technologies and products of Infineons Fiber Optics Business, as well as risks associated with the rapidly evolving markets for Finisars products and uncertainty regarding the development of these markets; Finisars historical dependence on sales to a limited number of customers and fluctuations in the mix of customers in any period; ongoing new product development and introduction of new and enhanced products; the challenges of rapid growth followed by periods of contraction; and intensive competition. Other risks relating to Finisars business are set forth in Finisars Annual Report on Form 10-K and other interim reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
You can download general video material in broadcast standard from http://www.thenewsmarket.com
Contacts:
Finisar Corporation
Steve Workman
Senior VP Finance, CFO
Phone: +1-408-542-4102
steve.workman@finisar.com
Finisar Corporation
Investor Relations
Shelby Palmer
Phone: +1-408-542-5050
investor.relations@finisar.com
Information Number
INFXX200404.060