ON Semiconductor Corp. and Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement providing for the acquisition of Catalyst Semiconductor by ON Semiconductor in an all-stock transaction in which Catalyst shareholders will receive 0.706 shares of ON Semiconductor common stock for each share of Catalyst common stock they own. This represents an equity value of approximately $115 million and an enterprise value of approximately $85 million.
"The acquisition of Catalyst Semiconductor will add to our high gross margin analog and mixed-signal product offerings for the digital consumer and wireless end-markets," said Keith Jackson, ON Semiconductor President and CEO. "Catalyst Semiconductor’s analog and mixed-signal business represented more than $11 million in sales as of their April 2008 fiscal year end – a business that grew more than 90% versus the prior year. Catalyst Semiconductor’s EEPROM technology will strengthen our custom application-specific circuits (ASIC) and power products capabilities expanding our ability to more comprehensively address our customers’ needs. With the combination of ON Semiconductor’s global footprint, effective channels of distribution, and top-tier customer relationships, we expect to be able to support a broader and deeper penetration of Catalyst’s overall product portfolio. This should enable us to accelerate their revenue growth and increase market share. We also believe additional revenue from Catalyst Semiconductor’s strong portfolio offering will benefit from ON Semiconductor’s manufacturing capabilities. We look forward to welcoming Gelu Voicu, Catalyst Semiconductor’s CEO, as well as the talented Catalyst employee base to ON Semiconductor."
"This transaction represents a compelling opportunity for Catalyst employees, customers and shareholders," stated Gelu Voicu, CEO of Catalyst Semiconductor. "To compete successfully in today’s global marketplace, size and scale are very important. We are pleased to become part of a leading global company in the semiconductor sector. ON Semiconductor’s world-class operational capabilities and supply chain will enable Catalyst Semiconductor’s products to better penetrate the automotive, consumer, and industrial end-markets utilizing ON Semiconductor’s global customer and channel footprint."
Under the terms of the agreement, which has been approved by both boards of directors, the fixed exchange ratio will be 0.706 shares of ON Semiconductor common stock for each share of Catalyst Semiconductor common stock. Based on the closing stock price of ON Semiconductor on July 16, 2008, this represents a value to Catalyst Semiconductor shareholders of approximately $6.24 per share. Upon completion of the transaction, ON Semiconductor will issue approximately 13 million shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis to complete the transaction or approximately 3% of ON Semiconductor’s fully diluted shares outstanding.
The transaction is subject to the approval of shareholders of Catalyst Semiconductor as well as customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The companies expect the transaction to close in the fourth quarter of 2008. Upon closing, ON Semiconductor may record a one-time charge for purchased in-process research and development expenses and other deal related costs. The amount of that charge, if any, has not yet been determined.
