Today, Cree and Infineon have successfully made headlines in major industry media. As early as 2016, Infineon had announced the Corio Wolfspeed, but was “aborted†due to obstruction by the US Foreign Investment Committee (CFUIS). This time, the acquisition story between the two has once again seen a major reversal.
On the evening of the 6th, Cree announced the acquisition of Infineon's RF power business for approximately 345 million euros (approximately US$ 428 million), which will expand the wireless market opportunities for the Cree wolfspeed business unit. Infineon will continue to drive key areas of growth such as electric, autonomous, renewable energy and technology to create a connected world.
It is understood that the transaction has ended and will take effect on March 6.
The acquisition of RF business between Cree and Infineon is like a "big show" and the plot is always unexpected. According to Gaogong LED, there has been a "community" about the acquisition between the two.
In fact, as early as July 2016, Infineon announced that it would acquire its Wolfspeed Power & RF division from US LED manufacturer Cree for $850 million in cash. Infineon CEO Rehed Pross said that the silicon carbide chips produced by Wolfspeed will gradually replace traditional chips in the next few years, especially in the electric and hybrid vehicles market. Currently, about 50% of Infineon's sales come from the corporate market.
Infineon said that the acquisition of Wolfspeed will increase the company's diluted earnings per share and profit margin in the short term. At present, Infineon's gross profit margin is about 55%, and it is expected to maintain an average annual growth rate of 20% in the next four years.
However, the deal, which was highly anticipated by Infineon, was terminated by CFIUS's obstruction. On February 16, 2017, Cree announced that it will discontinue the Wolfspeed Power and RF Division sales, including silicon carbide power, RF and gemstone applications. Cree and Infineon are unable to determine alternatives to national security issues of concern to the US Foreign Investment Committee (CFIUS) and, therefore, the proposed transaction will be terminated.
Chuck Swoboda, former chairman and CEO of Cree, said: "We are disappointed that the sale of Wolfspeed to Infineon could not be completed."
In a blink of an eye, a year before the failure of the deal, wolfspeed, which was almost sold out, is now Cree's most profitable business unit. In the year after the failure of the sale, why did Cree in turn invest heavily in the acquisition of Infineon’s RF business?
In fact, after the last transaction failure, Chuck Swoboda once said: "In view of this development, we will shift our focus to the growing Wolfspeed business. This year, the Wolfspeed business performed well because our customers have further recognized our unique technology. Value, and as part of Cree, is on a great path."
Chuck Swoboda's remarks revealed that in the future, Cree will have a big move in the Wolfspeed business. Sure enough, Cree took a big step forward.
Both Cree and Infineon are leading technology companies in the industry, each with their own strengths. The acquisition of Infineon's RF power team and technology will expand Wolfspeed's existing products and technologies, such as product design, packaging, manufacturing and customer support services.
Cree's current CEO, Gregg Lowe, said: "This single transaction will enhance the performance of the Wolfspeed RF division in GaN-based GaN technology while providing them with additional market, customer and packaging experience. It will also accelerate Wolfspeed. The transfer from 4G to the 5G market."
However, for Infineon, why did it reverse the sale of its RF business to Cree after the failure to acquire Wolfspeed?
Infineon CEO Reinhard Ploss said: "Cree is a quality buyer of Infineon's RF business and enjoys a high reputation in the industry. We are excited about the concept and prospects of the merger business. At the same time, the business was split. After that, we will be able to focus our resources more effectively on Infineon's strategic growth and will retain a strong technology portfolio for the wireless market."
That is to say, after the completion of the transaction between Cree and Infineon, the two parties will focus on their own superior projects and achieve a win-win situation through high cooperation with each other.
However, it is worth noting that the US CFIUS has prevented Infineon from acquiring the Wolfspeed case. I don't know if the German government will take the corresponding action for this transaction.
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