Eltek sells Nera Networks to Ceragon for USD 48.5 million
Drammen, 19 January, 2011: Eltek ASA ("Eltek") has today entered into and
completed a definitive share purchase agreement for the sale of Nera Networks AS
("Nera Networks") to Ceragon (UK) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ceragon
Networks Ltd ("Ceragon"), being a leading provider of high-capacity, 4G/LTE-
ready wireless backhaul networks (the "Transaction"). The Transaction enables
Eltek to focus on its profitable power electronics business and the growth
opportunities in renewable energy markets. For Nera Networks and Ceragon the
Transaction marks the creation of a world leader in wireless backhaul solutions.
Nera Networks has been sold for a cash consideration of USD 48.5 million
(approximately NOK 284 million) on a cash and debt free basis. Combined with
release of bank guarantees of approximately NOK 125 million related to Nera
Networks projects, the net proceeds from the Transaction will strengthen the
financial platform to pursue growth opportunities in renewable energy markets
such as solar power and electric vehicles.
"We are one of the global leaders in telecom power and are growing our business
in industrial power applications. We also see a wealth of opportunities in
renewable energy and wish to focus both management resources and financial
capabilities towards our core activities and these growth initiatives", said CEO
Jørgen Larsen in Eltek.
Assets affected by the transaction will be reported as 'held for sale' per 31
December, 2010, at fair market value less cost of sale. This implies a material
non-cash impairment of assets, mainly related to intangible fixed assets. As a
consequence, the net result after tax from discontinuing operations is expected
to be negative by approximately NOK 200 million in the fourth quarter 2010.
Following the completion of the transaction, an additional negative effect in
the range of NOK 40-50 million related to cumulative currency translation
differences will be reported as result from discontinuing operations in the
Income Statement for the first quarter 2011.
Larsen said Eltek has evaluated several strategic alternatives for the future
development of the microwave transmission activities in Nera Networks, and he
believes a business combination with a leading wireless backhaul player like
Ceragon provides the highest benefit to Nera Networks' customers and employees.
"We believe the combination of Nera Networks' Long-Haul capabilities and
Ceragon's Short-Haul solutions creates a broad "best-of-breed" portfolio, and
the scale and scope required to grow profitably going forward", said Larsen.
Headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, Ceragon runs a global operation with network
deployments in more than 100 countries. The company shows strong and profitable
growth, and reported a revenue increase of 40 percent to USD 183 million in the
first nine months of 2010.
"This is a very important step for both of our companies, and one which will
allow us -together- to immediately become the premier microwave backhaul
specialist at a crucial juncture for the industry", said Ira Palti, President
and CEO of Ceragon.
"We are in the early stages of a period of demand driven by continued subscriber
growth in key regions and exponential increases in mobile data. During such a
period, scale and reach are particularly important. This combination achieves
both, with minimal integration risk due to the complementary nature of the two
companies", said Palti.
Eltek will host a conference call 20 January at 10:00am CET regarding the
Transaction.
Call-in details:
From Norway: +47 2100 0012, or 800 51 024
From USA: +1 212 444 0915, or 1866 408 3591
From Singapore: +65 3158 1271, or 800 120 5588
From UK: +44 (0) 20 3059 5699, or 0800 368 5571
From Germany: +49 (0)69 6677 75731, or 0800 664 6287
If your country's phone number is not listed, please use the Norwegian phone
number.
Participant passcode: 309464 (enter the Participant passcode followed by the #
sign)
For further information, please contact:
CEO Jørgen Larsen, Eltek ASA, tel: +47 905 27 930
CFO Pål Skistad, Eltek ASA, tel: +47 908 50 378
Please see the enclosures to this release for more detailed information in
accordance with the requirements set out in Section 3.4 of the Continuing
Obligations for companies listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
About Eltek ASA:
Eltek is a strategic technology partner within power solutions and microwave
radio transmission, through its three business units Eltek Valere, Nera Networks
and Nera Telecommunications. The company reported revenue of NOK 5.8 billion in
2009, and had close to 3,300 employees in more than 50 countries at the end of
2009. Following the divestment of Nera Networks, Eltek will focus on its core
business in telecom power and power electronics solutions for industrial
applications and renewable markets such as solar power and electric vehicles.
Eltek is listed on Oslo Stock Exchange and headquartered in Drammen, Norway.
About Ceragon Networks Ltd:
Ceragon Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: CRNT) is a leading provider of high capacity
LTE/4G-ready wireless backhaul solutions that enable cellular operators and
other wireless service providers to deliver voice and data services, enabling
smart-phone applications such as Internet browsing, music and video. With
unmatched technology and cost innovation, Ceragon's advanced point-to-point
microwave systems allow wireless service providers to evolve their networks from
circuit-switched and hybrid concepts to all IP networks. Ceragon solutions are
designed to support all wireless access technologies, delivering more capacity
over longer distances under any given deployment scenario. Ceragon's solutions
are deployed by more than 200 service providers of all sizes, and hundreds of
private networks in more than 130 countries. Visit Ceragon at www.ceragon.com.
Ceragon Networks®, CeraView®, FibeAir®, the FibeAir® design mark and Native(2)®
are registered trademarks., and Ceragon(TM), PolyView(TM), ConfigAir(TM),
CeraMon(TM), QuickAir(TM), QuickAir Partner Program(TM), QuickAir Partner
Certification Program(TM), QuickAir Partner Zone(TM) and EncryptAir(TM) are
trademarks of Ceragon Networks Ltd.
This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to §5-12 vphl
(Norwegian Securities Trading Act)
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