HICKORY, N.C., Dec. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CommScope, Inc. (NYSE: CTV)
today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Andrew Corporation
(Nasdaq: ANDW) for a total purchase price of approximately $2.65 billion. As
of today, Andrew will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of CommScope.
"We are delighted with the closing of the Andrew transaction, which
marks a new chapter in the history of our company," said Frank M. Drendel,
chairman and chief executive officer of CommScope. "We believe this combination
will further enhance CommScope's position as a worldwide leader in 'last mile'
solutions. Combining our innovative technologies, premier brands and a top-
tier customer base, we expect to expand our global service model and create
an enhanced offering of communications infrastructure solutions that addresses
a broader spectrum of customer needs. With this acquisition, we are advancing
CommScope's stated global 'last mile' strategy while creating important cost
reduction and growth opportunities that we believe will drive increased shareholder
value.
"We look forward to working with Andrew's talented team to quickly and
smoothly integrate their operations into CommScope. As we continue to invest
in the combined business for profitable growth, the talented and dedicated employees
of both Andrew and CommScope will continue to play a critical role in the success
of the combined company. CommScope is a proven and successful integrator of
strategic transactions and we expect to begin realizing the benefits of this
combination immediately and enjoy them fully over the next few years,"
added Mr. Drendel.
Andrew stockholders will receive, for each Andrew share, $13.50 in cash and
0.031543 shares of CommScope common stock. This fractional share of CommScope
common stock was calculated according to the terms of the merger agreement by
dividing $1.50 by $47.554, which was the volume weighted average of the closing
sale prices for a share of CommScope common stock over the ten consecutive trading
days ending on December 24, 2007.
Financing and Interest Rate Swap
CommScope funded the transaction through a combination of senior secured
credit facilities and available cash on hand. The $2.5 billion senior secured
credit facilities consist of a $1.35 billion seven-year senior secured term
loan facility with an interest rate of LIBOR plus 250 basis points, a $750 million
six-year senior secured term loan facility with an initial interest rate of
LIBOR plus 225 basis points and a $400 million six-year senior secured revolving
credit facility with an initial interest rate of LIBOR plus 225 basis points.
These debt commitments provide for a weighted average initial, variable interest
rate of LIBOR plus approximately 241 basis points on the senior secured term
loans. At closing, no funds had been borrowed from the revolving credit facility.
CommScope also announced that it has entered into an interest rate swap in
order to fix the LIBOR interest rate for an initial $1.5 billion of the overall
credit facility. Through this swap CommScope fixed the following amounts at
a LIBOR rate of 4.07750%:
$1.5 billion from December 27, 2007 through December 31, 2008
$1.3 billion from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009
$1.0 billion from January 2, 2010 through December 31, 2010
$400 million from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011
Advisors
Banc of America Securities LLC acted as financial advisor to CommScope in
connection with this acquisition and Duff & Phelps LLC provided a fairness
opinion to CommScope. Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, Baker
& McKenzie LLP and Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. acted as CommScope's
outside legal counsel. Citi acted as the primary financial advisor to Andrew,
and Merrill Lynch provided a fairness opinion. Mayer Brown LLP acted as Andrew's
primary outside legal counsel. Banc of America Securities LLC and Wachovia Capital
Markets, LLC acted as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners in connection
with the credit facilities.
About CommScope
CommScope, Inc. (NYSE: CTV - www.commscope.com) is a world leader in infrastructure
solutions for communication networks. Through its Andrew Wireless Solutions(R)
brand, it is a global leader in radio frequency subsystem solutions for wireless
networks. Through its SYSTIMAX(R) Solutions(TM) and Uniprise(R) Solutions brands
CommScope is the global leader in structured cabling systems for business enterprise
applications. It is also the premier manufacturer of coaxial cable for broadband
cable television networks and one of the leading North American providers of
environmentally secure cabinets for DSL and FTTN applications.
Backed by strong research and development, CommScope combines technical expertise
and proprietary technology with global manufacturing capability to provide customers
with infrastructure solutions for evolving global communications networks in
more than 130 countries around the world.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements regarding, among other
things, the business combination between CommScope and Andrew and the anticipated
consequences and benefits of such transaction, and other financial and operational
items relating to CommScope and Andrew. Statements made in the future tense,
and statements using words such as "intend," "goal," "estimate,"
"expect," "expectations," "project," "projections,"
"plans," "anticipates," "believe," "think,"
"confident" and "scheduled" and similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond the control
of CommScope. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements,
and therefore should be carefully considered. Relevant risks and uncertainties
relating to the proposed transaction include, but are not limited to: the anticipated
benefits and synergies of the proposed transaction may not be realized as quickly
as anticipated or at all; the integration of Andrew's operations with CommScope
could be materially delayed or may be more costly or difficult than expected;
legal proceedings may be commenced by or against CommScope or Andrew. For a
more complete description of factors that could cause such a difference, as
well as risk and uncertainties generally applicable to CommScope and Andrew,
please see CommScope's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),
which are available on CommScope's website or at www.sec.gov, and Andrew's filings
with the SEC, which are available on Andrew's website or at www.sec.gov. In
providing forward-looking statements, neither CommScope nor Andrew intends,
and neither undertakes any duty or obligation, to update these statements as
a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE CommScope, Inc.
CONTACT:
Investor Relations:
Phil Armstrong,
Vice President,
Investor Relations & Corporate Communications of CommScope,
+1-828-323-4848,
phil.armstrong@commscope.com;
Media Relations:
Matthew Sherman,
msherman@joelefrank.com,
and
Jeremy Jacobs,
jjacobs@joelefrank.com,
+1-212-355-4449,
both of Joele Frank,
Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher;
Beverly S. Lampe,
Manager,
Corporate Communications of CommScope,
+1-828-323-4873,
blampe@commscope.com
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