NEW TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan and FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Yageo Corporation (TAIEX: 2327) (“Yageo”) and KEMET Corporation (“KEMET”) (NYSE: KEM) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Yageo will acquire all of the outstanding shares of KEMET’s common stock for US$27.20 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at US $1.8 billion, including the assumption of net debt. The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies.
The purchase price represents a premium of 26% to KEMET’s volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) for the last 30 trading days and 37% to its VWAP for the last 90 trading days.
Established in 1919 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, KEMET is a leading global supplier of high-end electronic components with a global footprint that includes 23 manufacturing facilities and approximately 14,000 employees located in 22 countries in the Americas, Asia and Europe. KEMET’s main products include tantalum capacitors, ceramic capacitors, magnetic, sensors and actuators, and film and electrolytic capacitors. KEMET’s products serve a number of applications, such as advanced automotive electronics, industrial applications, aerospace, medical, as well as smartphones, cloud/networking equipment, wireless communications, alternative energy and 5G technology. Holding more than 1,600 patents and trademarks worldwide, KEMET has established a leading position for its products via its advanced R&D and technical staff and design-in capabilities.
Together with KEMET, Yageo will be well positioned as a one-stop provider of passive electronic components, including a leading portfolio of polymer, tantalum, ceramic, film and electrolytic capacitors, chip resistors, circuit protection as well as magnetics, sensors and actuators, all addressing a full range of end market segments. The combined company will have an enhanced global footprint and be better able to partner with long-standing, blue chip customers worldwide through a combined 42 manufacturing plants and 14 dedicated R&D centers.
Pierre Chen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yageo, said, “KEMET has remarkable technology innovation capabilities and a proven track record of integrating cross-border acquisitions. We have been following their success with great admiration and look forward to creating a new legacy for the combined company. KEMET gives us the extraordinary opportunity to combine our strengths to achieve synergies in product and technology offerings as well as geographic coverage. The integration will enhance our ability to serve customers in consumer electronics as well as in the high-end automotive, industrial, aerospace, telecom and medical sectors. I look forward to partnering with KEMET’s employees to drive future growth and deliver enhanced value for our shareholders and customers.”
William M. Lowe, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of KEMET, said, “We are pleased to reach this agreement with Yageo, which will deliver the certainty of immediate cash to our shareholders at a premium. After a thorough process, the KEMET Board of Directors determined that this transaction is in the best interests of KEMET shareholders, customers and employees, and is a testament to our team’s dedication to providing our customers with the broadest selection of passive component technologies and superior service in the industry. I am confident that the combination of these two companies will provide customers with an enhanced experience and our employees with greater opportunities worldwide and we look forward to completing this transaction and ensuring a seamless transition.”
Transaction Benefits
The combination of Yageo and KEMET will create an industry leader in the $28 to $32 billion passive components industry, with combined annual revenues of approximately US$3 billion1. Yageo and KEMET each have a proven track record of completing major cross-border acquisitions and believe this transaction will generate greater value for customers and shareholders of both companies.
The acquisition of KEMET will:
- Expand Yageo’s product portfolio and enhance Yageo’s ability to serve as a one-stop product solution to customers serving a range of segments and mission-critical applications;
- Enhance Yageo’s global footprint with additional operational scale across North America, Europe and Asia with an increased ability to penetrate attractive, high-growth segments and applications;
- Drive profitability with meaningful cost synergies and greater efficiencies by leveraging KEMET’s structural transformation that resulted in increased and sustainable margins, as well as an enhanced durability of KEMET’s revenue base;
- Enable Yageo to leverage KEMET’s presence and success in Japan through the consolidation synergy of KEMET and TOKIN;
- Increase Yageo’s presence providing advanced products to the automotive electronics, 5G networking and communications, robotics and automation and industrial segments, including power supply; and
- Scale KEMET’s business in Greater China and ASEAN region through Yageo’s regional presence and sales channels
Financing, Timing and Approvals
The transaction is not subject to a financing contingency. Yageo intends to fund the transaction with a combination of cash on hand and committed financing.
The transaction, which is expected to close in the second half of 2020, is subject to customary closing conditions and the receipt of required regulatory approvals.
Following close of the transaction, KEMET will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Yageo and KEMET’s common stock will no longer be listed on any public market.
Advisors
Citi is serving as financial advisor to Yageo, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Tsar & Tsai Law Firm in Taiwan served as legal advisors. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor to KEMET and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is serving as legal advisor.