ARM and Artisan Combine to Deliver System-on-Chip IP Solutions.CAMBRIDGE Cambridge, city, Canada Cambridge (kām`brĭj), city (1991 pop. 92,772), S Ont., Canada, on the Grand River, NW of Hamilton. It was formed in 1973 with the amalgamation of Galt, Hespeler, and Preston, all founded in the early 19th cent. , England England, the largest and most populous portion of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1991 pop. 46,382,050), 50,334 sq mi (130,365 sq km). It is bounded by Wales and the Irish Sea on the west and Scotland on the north. & SUNNYVALE Sunnyvale, city (1990 pop. 117,229), Santa Clara co., W Calif., near San Francisco; settled 1849, inc. 1912. A city in Silicon Valley, its many manufactures include semiconductors; machinery and instruments; electrical, electronic, and aerospace products; , Calif. -- Transaction Creates One of the Broadest Suppliers of IP in the Industry; Companies to Combine Highly Complementary Products and Sales Channels ARM Holdings plc (Nasdaq:ARMHY)(LSE LSE - Language Sensitive Editor :ARM) and Artisan Components, Inc. (Nasdaq:ARTI) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which ARM will acquire Artisan.
A[micro] Highlights
A[micro] -- Under the terms of the agreement, Artisan stockholders will
receive $9.60 in cash and ARM stock equal to 4.41 ARM ADSs for
each outstanding Artisan share. Based on closing prices for
ARM ADSs as of August 20, 2004, the implied value is $33.89
per Artisan share, representing an aggregate consideration of
approximately $913 million.
A[micro] -- This transaction represents an excellent strategic
combination:
A[micro] -- Enables the combined company to deliver one of the
industry's broadest portfolios of system-on-chip (SoC)
intellectual property (IP) to their extensive, combined
customer base.
A[micro] -- Better positions the combined company to take advantage of
growth opportunities across multiple industries as system
design complexity increases in the sub-micron age.
A[micro] -- Highly complementary sales channels combining ARM's
channel to more than 130 silicon manufacturers, with
Artisan's channel to more than 2,000 companies.
A[micro] -- Strengthens the links between key aspects of SoC
development, enabling the combined company to deliver
solutions that are further optimized for power and
performance.
A[micro] -- Warren East, Chief Executive Officer of ARM, will continue as
Chief Executive Officer of the combined companies, with Lucio
L. Lanza, Chairman of Artisan, and Mark R. Templeton,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Artisan, joining the
Board of Directors of ARM as a non-executive director and an
executive director, respectively, on completion of the
transaction.
A[micro] -- Directors and executive officers of ARM and Artisan have
agreed to vote in favor of the acquisition in respect of
shareholdings amounting to an aggregate of approximately 2.7
percent of ARM's outstanding shares and 4.6 percent of
Artisan's outstanding shares.
A[micro] -- The completion of the transaction is expected to occur in the
fourth quarter of 2004 and is subject to ARM and Artisan
stockholder and regulatory approvals and other customary
closing conditions.
Artisan is a leading provider of physical IP components for the design and manufacture of complex SoC integrated circuits Integrated circuits Miniature electronic circuits produced within and upon a single semiconductor crystal, usually silicon. Integrated circuits range in complexity from simple logic circuits and amplifiers, about 1/20 in. (1. (ICs). The company's comprehensive product portfolio includes standard cell libraries, embedded Inserted into. See embedded system. memories, input/output See I/O and PC input/output. (programming, operating system) input/output - (I/O) Communication between a computer and its users, its storage devices, other computers (via a network) or the outside world. The devices the computer uses to do this are called "peripherals". cells, analog functions and high-speed high-speed adj. 1. Operated or designed for operation at high speed: a high-speed food processor. 2. Taking place at high speed: a high-speed chase. 3. interface IP. Artisan's products are optimized for performance, density, power and yield and are available in support of process technologies at many of the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers. Artisan has licensed its IP components to thousands of IC design teams at more than 2,000 companies worldwide. ARM has relationships with more than 130 silicon manufacturers and with all of the leading Electronic Design Automation (EDA (1) (Electronic Design Automation) Using the computer to design, lay out, verify and simulate the performance of electronic circuits on a chip or printed circuit board. ) companies; the company offers a preeminent pre·em·i·nent or pre-em·i·nent adj. Superior to or notable above all others; outstanding. See Synonyms at dominant, noted. [Middle English, from Latin prae portfolio of microprocessor microprocessor, integrated circuit containing the arithmetic, logic, and control circuitry required to interpret and execute instructions from a computer program. , data engine and peripheral IP as well as software and development tools. Building on complementary capabilities, ARM expects that the combined company will deliver one of the broadest ranges of SoC IP solutions to the IC design community. The combined expertise of both companies in implementing complex systems in silicon will result in highly optimized solutions for low-power In electronics, the term low-power means one of two things about a device:
superior - of high or superior quality or performance; "superior wisdom derived from experience"; "superior math students" designs. "Artisan represents an excellent strategic fit with our vision to become the Architecture for the Digital World(TM)," said Sir Robin Saxby Saxby could be Places
"As system design complexity increases in deeper sub-micron technologies, so does the need for stronger links between all aspects of SoC development from library elements to advanced microprocessor IP and software," said Warren East, Chief Executive Officer, ARM. "Combining forces with Artisan will enrich and expand our total IP offering. Furthermore, the combination is expected to provide greater access to ARM and Artisan technologies, delivering increased value to both companies' customers and creating a new catalyst for innovation in the industry. Delivering enhanced IP where the total system is further optimized for low power and high performance will assist our customers to create new and exciting digital products. We will benefit greatly from the insights and experience of the talented Artisan professionals joining our team." "The combination of ARM and Artisan signals a new phase in the industry by meeting the increasingly important system design challenge of providing customers with a coherent IP offering, from architecture to silicon implementation," said Lucio Lucio is an Italian male given name (Lucius in Latin). It may be refer to: Italian people
American tenor and actor who recorded both popular music and opera. His films include That Midnight Kiss (1946). , Chairman, Artisan. "Putting complementary teams of designers together in one company working on software, system IP and physical IP will enable us to provide a higher level of value to our combined customers." "The strategic vision of this transaction is compelling," said Mark R. Templeton Templeton self-centered rat. [Children’s Lit.: Charlotte’s Web] See : Egotism , President and Chief Executive Officer of Artisan. "By joining forces with ARM, we are furthering our goal to be the IP partner of choice in the semiconductor industry. Combined with ARM, we will be better positioned to invest in new products and promote the adoption of Artisan's products to a broader range of customers." Transaction Terms Under the terms of the agreement, Artisan stockholders will receive $9.60 in cash and 4.41 ARM ADSs for each outstanding Artisan share. Based on closing prices for ARM's ADSs as of August 20, 2004, the implied value is $33.89 per Artisan share, representing an aggregate consideration of approximately $913 million. Each Artisan stockholder will have the right to elect the percentage of the stockholder's consideration received in cash, ARM ADSs or Ordinary Shares (ORDs), subject to pro ration ration a fixed allowance of total feed for an animal for one day. Usually specifies the individual ingredients and their amounts and the amounts of the specific nutriments such as carbohydrate, fiber, individual minerals and vitamins. and the total aggregate consideration being approximately $225 million in cash and approximately 374 million in new ORDs (or approximately 125 million ADSs). The stock component of the consideration is expected to be tax-free tax-free adj. Not subject to taxation; tax-exempt. tax-free Adjective not needing to have tax paid on it: a tax-free lump sum Adj. 1. for the stockholders of Artisan. Following completion of the transaction, on a fully diluted di·lute tr.v. di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing, di·lutes 1. To make thinner or less concentrated by adding a liquid such as water. 2. To lessen the force, strength, purity, or brilliance of, especially by admixture. basis, Artisan stockholders will own approximately 26% of the combined company. The cash portion of the consideration will be funded using ARM's existing cash resources. The terms of the transaction have been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. Financial Overview As of June June: see month. 30, 2004, under U.S. GAAP GAAP See: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles GAAP See generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). , Artisan had revenues and profits after taxes in the previous 12 months of $82.9 million and $17.3 million, respectively, and had net asset value of $205.1 million, of which $140.4 million was cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities Marketable Securities Very liquid securities that can be converted into cash quickly at a reasonable price. Notes: Marketable securities are very liquid as they tend to have maturities less than one year, and the rate at which these securities can be bought or sold has . For the most recent fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, Artisan had revenues and profits after taxes of $68.5 million and $7.3 million, respectively, under U.S. GAAP. The transaction is expected to be non-dilutive to ARM's earnings per share within 12 months from closing, excluding the impact of one-time and non-cash acquisition related charges. Break-up Fee Arrangements ARM has agreed to pay a break-up fee to Artisan of approximately $18 million payable upon certain termination events under the transaction agreement. Furthermore, Artisan has agreed to pay a break-up fee to ARM of approximately $31 million or $18 million, depending on the nature of the termination event, payable under the transaction agreement upon certain termination events. Management and Board of Directors Lucio L. Lanza, Chairman of Artisan, and Mark R. Templeton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Artisan, will join the Board of Directors of ARM following completion of the transaction, increasing the total number of directors to 12. Mark R. Templeton is expected to enter into a service contract with the Company with effect from completion of the transaction. Approvals, Timing and Consent The completion of the transaction is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2004 and is subject to ARM and Artisan stockholder and regulatory approvals, other customary closing conditions and the admission of the new ARM shares to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and to trading on the London Stock Exchange London Stock Exchange London marketplace for securities. It was formed in 1773 by a group of stockbrokers who had been doing business informally in local coffeehouses. . ARM stockholders will receive in due course a circular containing full details of the acquisition and convening con·vene v. con·vened, con·ven·ing, con·venes v.intr. To come together usually for an official or public purpose; assemble formally. v.tr. 1. an Extraordinary General Meeting, and listing particulars related to the new ARM shares to be issued as consideration for the acquisition. Artisan stockholders will receive a proxy statement Proxy Statement A document containing the information that a company is required by the SEC to provide to shareholders so they can make informed decisions about matters that will be brought up at an annual stockholder meeting. in connection with Artisan's special meeting of stockholders. ARM and Artisan will be hosting a presentation and conference calls to discuss the transaction on Monday, August 23, 2004, at Financial Dynamics, Holborn Gate, 26 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1PB: A[micro] Presentation and Call A[micro] 9.30am BST / 10.30am CET / 4.30am EST / 1.30am PST A[micro] UK / European Participants - Telephone: +44 (0)1452 542 303 A[micro] US Participants - Telephone: +1 866 389 9778 A[micro] Call Only A[micro] 1.30pm BST / 2.30pm CET / 8.30am EDT / 5.30am PST A[micro] UK / European Participants - Telephone: +44 (0) 1452 542 304 A[micro] US Participants - Telephone: +1 866 389 9780 ARM will also host an audio webcast at www.arm.com, as well as provide a taped recording available from approximately one hour after the call's end, for five days. Dial-in details as follows:
A[micro] 9.30am BST / 10.30am CET / 4.30am EST / 1.30am PST
A[micro] UK / Europe - Telephone: +44 (0)1452 55 00 00; Access code
9652259#
A[micro] US - Telephone: +1 706 645 9291; Access code: 9652259#
A[micro] 1.30pm BST / 2.30pm CET / 8.30am EDT / 5.30am PST
A[micro] UK / Europe - Telephone: +44 (0) 1452 55 00 00; Access code
9652260#
A[micro] US - Telephone: +1 706 645 9291; Access code: 9652260#
About Artisan Artisan is a leading provider of physical intellectual property (IP) components for the design and manufacture of complex system-on-a-chip integrated circuits. Artisan's products include embedded memory, standard cell, input / output, analog and mixed-signal components, which are designed to achieve the best combination of performance, density, power and yield for a given manufacturing process. Artisan has licensed its IP components to over 2,000 companies involved in integrated circuit integrated circuit (IC), electronic circuit built on a semiconductor substrate, usually one of single-crystal silicon. The circuit, often called a chip, is packaged in a hermetically sealed case or a nonhermetic plastic capsule, with leads extending from it for design. Artisan is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California Sunnyvale ([sʌniveil]) is a city in Santa Clara County, California, United States. It is one of the major cities that make up the Silicon Valley. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 131,760. . More information about Artisan, including free library access, can be found at www.artisan.com. About ARM ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM's 16/32-bit RISC RISC in full Reduced Instruction Set Computing Computer architecture that uses a limited number of instructions. RISC became popular in microprocessors in the 1980s. microprocessors This is a list of microprocessors. Intel
Important Information for Investors and Stockholders ARM and Artisan will file a proxy statement/prospectus with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. ARM and Artisan urge investors and security holders to read the proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC because they will contain important information. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain these documents free of charge at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, documents filed with the SEC by ARM are available free of charge by contacting ARM Holdings plc Investor Relations Investor relations The process by which the corporation communicates with its investors. , 110 Fulbourn Road, Cambridge, UK, CB1 9NJ, +44 (0)1223 400400, and on ARM's web site at www.arm.com; documents filed with the SEC by Artisan are available free of charge by contacting Artisan Components, Inc. Investor Relations, 141 Caspian Court, Sunnyvale, California, 94089, (408) 734-5600, on Artisan's web site at www.artisan.com or on the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. Documents on Artisan's web site are not a part of this press release. ARM and ARM's directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation solicitation In criminal law, the act of asking, inducing, or directing someone to commit a crime. The person soliciting another becomes an accomplice to the crime. The term also refers to the act of obtaining bribes, as well as to the crime of a prostitute who offers sexual of proxies from the stockholders of Artisan in connection with the transaction. A description of the interests of directors and executive officers of ARM is set forth in its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2003, which was filed with the SEC. If and to the extent that any of ARM's directors and executive officers will receive any additional benefits in connection with the transaction that are unknown as of the date of this filing, the details of those benefits will be described in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus. Investors and security holders can obtain additional information regarding the direct and indirect interests of ARM's directors and executive officers in the transaction by reading the definitive proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available. Artisan and Artisan's directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from its stockholders in connection with the transaction. A description of the interests of directors and executive officers of Artisan is set forth in the proxy statement for Artisan's 2003 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on January 27, 2004. Mr. Templeton is expected to enter into an employment agreement with ARM, effective upon the closing of the proposed acquisition, that will be described in the proxy statement/prospectus. Mr. Lanza, Artisan's Chairman, may be deemed to be a participant in the solicitation of proxies of ARM's shareholders in connection with the proposed acquisition. A description of the non-employee director appointment letter similar to that into which Mr. Lanza would enter in upon joining the ARM Board of Directors at the closing of the proposed acquisition is described in ARM's Annual Report on Form 20-F. If and to the extent that any of Artisan's directors and executive officers will receive any additional benefits in connection with the transaction that are unknown as of the date of this filing, the details of those benefits will be described in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus. Investors and security holders can obtain additional information regarding the direct and indirect interests of Artisan's directors and executive officers in the transaction by reading the definitive proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements forward-looking statement A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections. This document contains certain forward-looking statements about ARM and Artisan. When used in this document, the words "anticipates," "may," "can," "believes," "expects," "projects," "intends," "likely," similar expressions and any other statements that are not historical facts, in each case as they relate to ARM, Artisan, the management of either such company or the transaction are intended to identify those assertions as forward-looking statements. In making any such statements, the person making them believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions. However, any such statement may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected or anticipated. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. There are various important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond the control of ARM and Artisan, including: the impact of general economic conditions in regions in which either such company currently does business, industry conditions, including competition, fluctuations in exchange rates and currency values, capital expenditure requirements, legislative or regulatory requirements Regulatory requirements are part of the process of drug discovery and drug development. Regulatory requirements describe what is necessary for a new drug to be approved for marketing in any particular country. , changes in the tax laws, interest rates and access to capital markets, the possibility that the transaction will not close, that the closing may be delayed or that the companies may be required to modify aspects of the transaction to achieve regulatory approval; the reaction of customers of ARM and Artisan to the transaction and economic and political conditions in the U.K., U.S. and elsewhere. The actual results or performance by ARM or Artisan could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what impact they will have on the results of operations or financial condition of ARM or Artisan. ARM and Artisan are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim dis·claim v. dis·claimed, dis·claim·ing, dis·claims v.tr. 1. To deny or renounce any claim to or connection with; disown. 2. To deny the validity of; repudiate. 3. any such obligation to) update or alter their forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More information about potential factors that could affect ARM's business and financial results is included in ARM's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 including (without limitation) under the captions, "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis Management's discussion and analysis (MD&A) A report from management to shareholders that accompanies the firm's financial statements in the annual report. It explains the period's financial results and enables management to discuss topics that may not be apparent in the financial of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. For more information and additional risk factors regarding Artisan, see the information under the captions "Factors Affecting Future Operating Results" contained in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004 filed with the SEC. ARM is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. Artisan Components and Artisan are registered trademarks of Artisan Components, Inc. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. "ARM" is used to represent ARM Holdings plc (LSE:ARM and Nasdaq:ARMHY); its operating company operating company A business that engages in transactions with outsiders. ARM Limited; and the regional subsidiaries ARM INC.; ARM KK; ARM Korea Ltd.; ARM Taiwan; ARM France SAS (1) (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, www.sas.com) A software company that specializes in data warehousing and decision support software based on the SAS System. Founded in 1976, SAS is one of the world's largest privately held software companies. See SAS System. ; and ARM Consulting (Shanghai Shanghai (shăng`hī`, shäng`hī`), city (1994 est. pop. 12,980,000), in, but independent of, Jiangsu prov., E China, on the Huangpu (Whangpoo) River where it flows into the Chang (Yangtze) estuary. ) Co. Ltd.; and ARM Belgium N.V. |
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