CommScope Completes Transformational Acquisition of TE Connectivity’s Telecom, Enterprise and Wireless Businesses
Combination Strengthens CommScope’s Position as a Leading Communications Infrastructure Provider with Greater Resources to Meet
Growing Demand for Network Bandwidth
Transaction Expected to be Significantly Accretive to CommScope’s Adjusted EPS and
Exceed $150 Million in Annual Synergies in 2018
HICKORY, NC, August 28, 2015 – CommScope Holding Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: COMM) has completed its previously announced acquisition of TE Connectivity’s (NYSE: TEL) Telecom, Enterprise and Wireless businesses, a leader in fiber optic connectivity for wireline and wireless networks.
The all-cash transaction, valued at approximately $3 billion, strengthens CommScope’s position as a leading communications infrastructure provider with deeper resources to meet the world’s growing demand for network bandwidth. This transaction creates a stronger company with greater innovation, employee talent and overall capabilities to serve customers in four major areas:
· Indoor and outdoor wireless networks;
· Data centers and central offices;
· Connected and efficient buildings; and
· Access and backhaul networks.
“We are excited to move forward as one company positioned for continued success,” said Eddie Edwards, CommScope president and chief executive officer. “Together, we look to accelerate industry innovation, solve more wired and wireless network challenges, and better serve customers in more markets around the world. By uniting our complementary solutions, technologies and geographic and market coverage, we have created a stronger platform for competing successfully around the world.
“With this acquisition, we will have significant new opportunities for future sales growth and cost efficiencies to strengthen CommScope’s financial foundation. The addition of the TE businesses is expected to immediately contribute to our profitable growth.”
As previously announced, CommScope expects to realize more than $150 million in annual synergies in 2018, which includes more than $50 million in 2016. CommScope expects to drive synergies across all areas of the company, including sales, marketing, general and administration, operations, and research and development. The transaction is expected to be in excess of 20 percent accretive in 2016 on a pro forma basis, excluding purchase accounting charges, integration costs and other special items.
The new CommScope has approximately 25,000 employees, with a more significant presence in all major geographic regions. Pro forma net sales (for the 12-month period ended June 30, 2015) were approximately $5.3 billion and pro forma adjusted EBITDA (excluding anticipated synergies) was approximately $1 billion. The company now holds a portfolio of approximately 9,800 patents and patent applications, with research and development investment of more than $200 million a year.
For the near term, the newly-acquired TE Connectivity Broadband Network Solutions (BNS) businesses will be operated as one of CommScope’s business segments, alongside of the existing CommScope segments of Wireless, Enterprise and Broadband. David Redfern will continue in his current role as leader of the BNS team, reporting to CommScope Chief Operating Officer Randy Crenshaw.
“I welcome our new team members from TE Connectivity and look forward to continuing to work closely with all employees at CommScope to ensure we continue to deliver superior technology, solutions and services to our customers and partners,” Edwards said.
The closing of the transaction follows the consummation of contemplated financing, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Advisors
Allen & Company LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BofA Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Securities and Deutsche Bank are serving as financial advisors to CommScope. Alston & Bird LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, Baker & McKenzie and Jones Day are serving as legal advisors to CommScope.
About CommScope
CommScope (NASDAQ: COMM) helps companies around the world design, build and manage their wired and wireless networks. Our network infrastructure solutions help customers increase bandwidth; maximize existing capacity; improve network performance and availability; increase energy efficiency; and simplify technology migration. You will find our solutions in the largest buildings, venues and outdoor spaces; in data centers and buildings of all shapes, sizes and complexity; at wireless cell sites and in cable headends; and in airports, trains, and tunnels. Vital networks around the world run on CommScope solutions.
