Siltronic and GlobalWafers agree to combine their activities to form a leading wafer manufacturer
Siltronic AG ("Siltronic"), headquartered in Munich, and GlobalWafers Co. Ltd. ("GlobalWafers") of Taiwan today signed a contractual agreement to create a leading wafer producer.
Excellent positioning of combined company thanks to complementary strengths
The combination of Siltronic as one of the technology leaders in the wafer sector and GlobalWafers with its excellent supply chain management and competitive cost structure will create a "best-in-class" wafer producer that will operate successfully in the global semiconductor market of the future. The product portfolios of both companies complement each other in many areas and form a strong basis to benefit from the long-term growth drivers in the wafer industry.
"The combination is a great opportunity for Siltronic and GlobalWafers to jointly form a company that is a world leader in both technology and efficiency," said Dr. Christoph von Plotho, CEO Siltronic.
"The Supervisory Board welcomes the planned combination of the two companies and thanks the Executive Board for its merits in establishing Siltronic as a technology leader in the global wafer industry," said Dr. Tobias Ohler, Chairman of Siltronic's Supervisory Board.
Extensive commitments for locations, employees, R&D activities and brand
The agreement signed by Siltronic and GlobalWafers respects Siltronic's technological achievements and the important role its employees will play in the joint company. Therefore, the BCA contains extensive commitments for Siltronic sites and employees. In particular, it includes a guarantee for the German sites, as well as protection against compulsory redundancies for employees in Germany until the end of 2024. The social partnership with German employee representatives as well as the existing collective bargaining agreements and works agreements will also be maintained. The Burghausen site will remain Siltronic's technology and R&D center. Sufficient investment budgets will be available in order to maintain and further develop existing production capacities. The established Siltronic brand will also remain in the combined company.
"This combination shows how attractive the Siltronic team and its leading-edge solutions are in this market. GlobalWafers has made important commitments for a successful future of Siltronic within the GlobalWafers Group. In particular, the guarantees made to the sites and the workforce were very important to us, but also maintaining the strong Siltronic brand under the GlobalWafers umbrella," von Plotho said.
Siltronic retains high strategic freedom of action and continues its successful business development
Siltronic will continue to manage its operating business with a high degree of strategic freedom. In order to fully exploit the potential of the combination, the CEO, CFO and Head of Technology of Siltronic AG will assume additional management functions at GlobalWafers after the completion of the proposed transaction. The Supervisory Board of Siltronic AG will continue to be co-determined and will consist of 12 members. GlobalWafers aims to have an appropriate representation on Siltronic's Supervisory Board after completion of the transaction, which will continue to include three independent shareholder representatives.
Siltronic AG's general dividend policy, which provides for a payout ratio of around 40 percent of net income, will be continued for the financial year 2020. It is planned to propose a dividend of approximately EUR 2 per share, which is expected to be distributed prior to the completion of the transaction. Siltronic shareholders will thus participate in the profits of a fiscal year in the usual manner.
Tender Offer to Siltronic shareholders
In conjunction with signing of the BCA, GlobalWafers has announced its intention to make a voluntary public Tender Offer ("Tender Offer") to Siltronic shareholders at an offer price of EUR 125 per share in cash. Siltronic's Executive Board and Supervisory Board welcome GlobalWafers' Tender Offer. Subject to the careful review of the offer document and their legal obligations, the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board expect to recommend in their reasoned opinion that the company's shareholders accept the Tender Offer.
Siltronic shareholders who choose to participate in the Tender Offer will receive EUR 125 per share in cash for each ordinary Siltronic share held, representing a 48% premium to the 90-day volume-weighted average price of Siltronic’s ordinary shares prior to the public disclosure of advanced discussions between GlobalWafers and Siltronic, and a 10% premium to the closing price of Siltronic’s ordinary shares as of November 27, 2020, Siltronic’s last trading day prior to public disclosure.
Wacker Chemie AG, which currently holds approximately 30.8 percent of Siltronic's shares, has entered into a binding agreement (Irrevocable Undertaking) with GlobalWafers and will tender its entire Siltronic shares as part of the Tender Offer. The minimum acceptance threshold for the Tender Offer is 65 percent. The offer period is expected to begin in December 2020 and will last approximately five weeks.
Closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the achievement of the minimum acceptance threshold and merger control and foreign investment approvals. The parties expect to complete the transaction in the second half of 2021.
Siltronic will hold a conference call with analysts and investors in English on December 10, 2020 at 10:00 am (CET). This will be broadcast via the Internet. The audio webcast will be available live and on-demand on Siltronic's website. At 11.30 am (CET) there will be a call with the media (in German).
Important note
This press release does not constitute a statement by the Executive Board or Supervisory Board on the announced Tender Offer. The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board will issue a reasoned statement pursuant to Section 27 WpÜG after publication of the offer document. Shareholders are advised to read the statement in full before making their decision to accept or reject the Tender Offer. The offer document is solely binding for the Tender Offer itself.