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- 22 June 2006 -
Powerwave Technologies to acquire Wireless Infrastructure
Business of Filtronic plc
The waiting is over and a topic of speculation has been
confirmed - Powerwave Technologies, Inc., and Filtronic plc
have struck a deal. They signed a definitive agreement so
that Powerwave can acquire the majority of Filtronic's Wireless
Infrastructure division business. The deal involves a combination
of 20.7 million newly-issued shares of Powerwave common stock
and $150 million in cash.
According to the companies' announcement, the specific product
lines included in the proposed transaction comprise some hefty
parts of Filtronic's revenue streams, including the transmit/receive
filters, integrated remote radio heads and power amplifier
products. These are for use in commercial wireless infrastructure
base- station equipment. However, it excludes point-to-point
radio backhaul equipment plus Filtronic's other divisions,
of Compound Semiconductors and Defence Electronics.
Ronald J. Buschur, President and CEO of Powerwave, said:
"Our proposed acquisition of the Wireless Infrastructure
business of Filtronic will further expand Powerwave's leadership
position in the wireless infrastructure marketplace, while
deepening and strengthening our relationships with our customers.
We will be able to significantly expand our transmit and receive
filter product lines, as well as complement our existing remote
radio head products and RF conditioning products. We are also
excited about the opportunity to add one of the premier design
and engineering resources in the wireless infrastructure industry
along with Filtronic's excellent management capabilities to
enhance our global position in both OEM and network operator
channels. In addition, we believe that the increased purchasing
power from this acquisition will enable Powerwave to achieve
significant cost synergies while further leveraging our global
manufacturing capabilities."
Professor J. David Rhodes, Group CEO of Filtronic plc, said:
"The board of directors believe that the divestiture
of the Wireless Infrastructure business will provide significant,
demonstrable value to Filtronic shareholders and that this
combination with Powerwave will enhance its position as a
leading provider in the commercial wireless infrastructure
market. I am certain that the Filtronic Wireless Infrastructure
business will continue to develop strongly within Powerwave
to support customers and give its employees expanding opportunities.
Part of the expected consideration is in Powerwave shares.
This will enable our shareholders to participate in Powerwave's
growth, and indirectly benefit from the sustained growth we
are currently experiencing in the Wireless Infrastructure
market, where our order book on our largest product line has
recently extended from two to twelve weeks despite increasing
our production capacity."
www.powerwave.com
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