Monday, December 7, 2009

IXYS Announces Acquisition of Zilog

BIEL, Switzerland & SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IXYS Corporation (NASDAQ:IXYS), a market leader in power semiconductors and specialized mixed signal IC products, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Zilog, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZILG), a trusted supplier of application specific, embedded microcontroller units (MCUs) that are system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for industrial and consumer markets. Under the terms of the agreement, IXYS will acquire all of Zilog’s outstanding common shares for $3.5858 per share in cash, or approximately $62.4 million. The acquisition is subject to the approval of Zilog shareholders and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to be completed during the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

The combination of the two companies with complementing technologies will allow IXYS and Zilog to leverage analog power management with digital control. Zilog has a focused MCU business with technologies that will complement IXYS’ product portfolio. IXYS has a broad based and diversified range of products geared toward industrial, telecommunications, medical, automotive, alternative energy and consumer applications. By introducing MCUs that enable digital power management and embedded control, IXYS will be able to create more cost-effective system integration solutions for its diversified customer base.

IXYS expects to increase its penetration in the automotive electronic and electric market by producing cost-effective integrated product offerings, including the power semiconductors, driver ICs and Zilog MCUs that are essential for automotive controls and driving displays. In IXYS’ prime industrial market, IXYS plans to deploy MCUs that are suited for motor control, power control and automation. In the telecommunications and security industries, Zilog’s MCUs complement IXYS’ ICs, which can be deployed in modems, VOIP, FIOS and automated alarm systems. For the medical market, the Zilog MCU platform complements IXYS’ power and IC products in defibrillators, imaging and diagnostics. Additionally, the recently expanded IXYS products for LED lighting and display, which require digital power control, will benefit in the market from the availability of complementary MCUs. MCU product offerings will be expanded to include low-power and sensing technologies for energy management applications, including smart lighting and intrusion detection.

In addition to expanding market opportunities, the acquisition will allow IXYS and Zilog to pool R&D resources, leverage economies of scale, reduce manufacturing costs and streamline and integrate operational and support costs. Over time, the integration is expected to result in improved financial results for the combined organization.