NEW TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan and FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 11, 2019 – 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 billion. 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:
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.
About YAGEO
Yageo’s common stock is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “2327” (TAIEX: 2327 TW). Yageo is a leading global electronic component company with capabilities on a global scale, including production and sales facilities in Asia, Europe and the Americas. The company provides one-stop-shopping, offering its complete product portfolio of resistors, capacitors, wireless and circuit protection components to meet the diverse requirements of customers. Additional information about Yageo can be found at http://www.yageo.com.
About KEMET
KEMET’s common stock is listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “KEM” (NYSE: KEM). At the Investor Relations section of our web site at http://www.KEMET.com/IR, users may subscribe to KEMET news releases and find additional information about our Company. KEMET offers our customers the broadest selection of capacitor technologies in the industry, along with an expanding range of sensors, actuators and electromagnetic compatibility solutions. KEMET operates manufacturing facilities, sales and distribution centers around the world. Additional information about KEMET can be found at http://www.KEMET.com.
Forward-Looking Statements are omitted