Carl Zeiss AG and Sola to combine their eyeglass businesses
A newly formed company, which will consist of the eyeglass business of Carl Zeiss AG (carved-out in a company with limited liability retrospective October 1, 2004) and will be owned by Carl Zeiss AG and the Eqt III fund ('Eqt'), today announced that the company has signed a definitive merger agreement with Sola whereby the new enterprise will pay $28.00 per share in cash for Sola's common stock. The total purchase price, including the assumption of approximately $285 million of debt, is approximately $1.1 billion and represents a premium of approximately 30% to the December 3, 2004 closing price of Sola. The newly formed company will be owned 50:50 by Carl Zeiss AG and Eqt.
The conclusion of the transaction, which has been given unanimous approval by Sola's Board of Directors, still requires approval by Sola shareholders and the antitrust authorities. Approval has also been given by the committees of Carl Zeiss and Eqt. The merger is scheduled for the first quarter of 2005.
The eyeglass businesses of Carl Zeiss and Sola complement each other well. The new company will be one of the world's leading providers of eyeglass lenses, with strong positions in all relevant markets and with full product spectrum coverage.
The substantially larger company will grow significantly in sales volume based on improved service to customers, a broad and global manufacturing base and the ability to offer a complete product portfolio.
President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG, Dr. Dieter Kurz, said: 'In order to maintain the financial scope of Carl Zeiss for the growth of other businesses in the portfolio, we have decided to implement this transaction together with Eqt'. Eqt is one of Europe's most renowned private equity companies.
Michael Kaschke, Member of the Executive Board of Carl Zeiss AG, said: 'I am excited that we can develop the Carl Zeiss eyeglass business with its technology, innovative products and strong Zeiss brand into a real global company. The merger with Sola is an excellent opportunity to create a company that is represented in all important markets across the globe'.
The eyeglass business of Carl Zeiss is currently being transferred into a company with limited liability, which will continue to be located in Aalen, Germany.
Jeremy C. Bishop, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sola, said: 'This transaction offers significant benefits to shareholders, customers, suppliers and employees of Sola and Carl Zeiss. The combined company will have revenues of approximately EUR 800 million, employ approximately 9000 people and position the company as one of the world's leading providers of ophthalmic lenses globally. Further, this merger represents an ideal strategic fit for Sola as it enables the company to strengthen its geographic presence in Europe and Asia Pacific and provide for improved utilization of the company's manufacturing and distribution facilities'.
Udo Philipp, Partner at Eqt Partners, said: 'Eqt is excited to act as a catalyst in combining these two great companies. Eqt looks for companies with strong market position, excellent management, and potential for growth. Both Sola and Carl Zeiss fit this profile. Our intent will be to assist management in the company in its efforts to improve the merged company's competitive position and thereby its profit and cash flow'.
