Merck Completes Acquisition of Versum Materials

08-Oct-2019 - Germany

Merck announced the closing of the transaction to acquire Versum Materials, Inc. for approximately € 5.8 billion. The business combination is expected to make Merck a leading electronic materials player focused on the semiconductor and display industries.

The transaction closing followed the recent approval from China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), which represented the final regulatory clearance to be obtained for completing the acquisition. As a result of the acquisition, the number of Merck employees will increase by approximately 2,300 to a total of around 56,000 in 66 countries. As of 2022, the third full year after the transaction closing, Merck expects annual synergies of € 75 million.

“By acquiring Versum, we will be optimally positioned to capitalize on long-term growth trends in the electronic materials industry. At the same time, we are broadening Performance Materials, balancing our portfolio with three strong business sectors and sharpening our strategic focus on innovation-driven technologies,” explained Stefan Oschmann, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck. Since 2007, Merck has made acquisitions and divestments with a volume of around € 40 billion, thereby transforming itself into a leading science and technology company. As customary, the company will now focus on generating cash in order to quickly lower its post-acquisition debt.

“We are very pleased to welcome Versum to our team. After the most recent acquisition of Intermolecular, this closing marks another major milestone on our Bright Future transformation journey to become a leading player in the electronic materials market,” said Kai Beckmann, member of the Executive Board of Merck and CEO Performance Materials. “The expertise of our combined business will enable us to offer customers in the electronics industry cutting-edge technology innovations. In addition, they will benefit from our expanded portfolio of products and services and our broader global positioning,” he added.

To ensure a smooth integration, Merck has already made excellent progress with the integration planning process. The former Versum business will be integrated into the Semiconductor Solutions business unit ‒ besides Display Solutions and Surface Solutions one of the three business units of the Performance Materials business sector of Merck. Semiconductor Solutions will consist of two dedicated units: Semiconductor Materials as well as Delivery Systems & Services. Semiconductor Materials will be led by Anand Nambiar, who is currently responsible for the Semiconductor Solutions business unit at Merck and will continue to focus on the development and commercialization of material-based solutions for semiconductor manufacturers. Delivery Systems & Services will be headed by Jeff White (formerly Versum), focusing on the development and deployment of equipment for semiconductor manufacturers. Additionally, this unit will also offer services to support the equipment installed and the safe handling of specialty materials that flow through it. In addition to that, John Langan (formerly Versum) will serve as the Chief Technology Officer of Performance Materials. All other members of the Performance Materials leadership team have been confirmed in their roles. Merck intends to maintain the site in Tempe as a hub for the combined electronic materials business in the United States.

For the 86 calendar days until year-end, Merck expects the legacy Versum business to contribute around € 270 million to Group net sales. The contribution to Group EBITDA pre is forecast at between approximately € 80 million and € 90 million and Group EPS pre is expected to increase by between € 0.11 and € 0.14.

Shares in Versum will no longer be traded on the New York Stock Exchange, with Merck now being the sole owner of Versum. Versum shareholders are being paid US$ 53 per share in cash.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/1163121/merck-completes-acquisition-of-versum-materials.html