II‐VI Inc., a leader in semiconductor lasers, announced  that it signed agreements to acquire two businesses that will expand its technology platforms and production capacity for semiconductor lasers with a scalable 6‐inch epitaxial growth and wafer fabrication platform. These acquisitions will further position the company to serve fast growing markets addressed by Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs). VCSELs provide unique advantages in a variety of applications in consumer electronics, data centers, sensing, medical and industrial markets and are expected to grow at greater than 20 percent a year.

EpiWorks Inc. is a global leader in high volume epitaxial growth of compound semiconductor wafers for electronic and photonic device applications. Located in Champaign, Ill., it has 2015 revenue of approximately $14 million. Its 25,000‐square foot, Class 1000 cleanroom epi foundry will provide significant expansion of II‐VI’s product portfolio. EpiWorks’ expertise dovetails with II‐VI’s core competencies as an engineered materials company.

ANADIGICS Inc. brings to II‐VI a high volume foundry unmatched in the production of 6‐inch gallium arsenide (GaAs) wafers. The acquisition of this foundry adds capacity more quickly and economically than building it new. II‐VI believes that controlling a scalable infrastructure is critical for extending the company’s Laser Enterprise
product portfolio technology and positioning II‐VI as the world leader in VCSEL technology. ANADIGICS had year to date (nine months) revenue of $46 million and net assets of approximately $28 million as of October 3, 2015.
 
Francis J. Kramer, chairman and chief executive officer said, “VCSELs address the need for increasingly intelligent human‐machine interfaces such as gesture recognition in consumer electronics products as well as the growing demand for short‐reach high‐speed optical connectivity in data centers worldwide. Our engagement with key
customers in these and other markets has been sufficiently compelling to lead us to believe that this investment is needed now.”
 
The combined value of these acquisitions is $110 million in cash and both are expected to close within 60 days. On a non‐GAAP basis, the company expects these transactions to be accretive to continuing operations beginning in the second half of calendar 2017. For the quarters preceding that, the transaction is expected to be dilutive due to investment in the 6” platform. The company will provide an update on the financial expectations when the transactions close.
 
The EpiWorks transaction is subject to the approval of EpiWorks’ shareholders. The holders of shares representing 83 percent of the votes have signed support agreements to vote in favor of the acquisition.
 
For the ANADIGICS transaction, a tender offer for all outstanding common stock must begin within 10 business days and remain open for at least 20 business days. A majority of the outstanding shares of ANADIGICS must be tendered to complete the acquisition. One‐time expenses of up to $10 million or $0.15/share may be incurred
over the next four quarters to fully integrate core operations into the Laser Solutions Segment. Following closing, we will move rapidly to serve customers, integrate key operations and reduce operating losses.
 
The company is financing the acquisitions from available cash and borrowings under its credit facility.
 
The company is updating its revenue and EPS guidance for the second fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2015. The company expects revenue to be between $189M to $191M and EPS to range from $0.28 to $0.30 including the extension of the R&D tax credit. The company further expects to continue its share repurchases after it reports
the results of the quarter ended December 31, 2015.