The board of directors of Ramtron International Corp. (Nasdaq: RMTR) has rejected the latest purchase offer from Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq: CY), but the two companies may be able to engage in a more civil discussion that could satisfy both parties, according to the details of a statement issued by the acquisition target.
Ramtron, a Colorado Springs, Colo.-based developer of specialized semiconductor components for the memory market, said its board reviewed Cypress's latest offer submitted one week ago and "concluded that the proposal of $2.48 per share of common stock does not reflect the intrinsic value of the Company and is not in the best interest of Ramtron shareholders."
William Howard, Ramtron's chairman, detailed in the statement why his company was turning down Cypress's acquisition offer. Howard said the company had seen improvements in its marketing position and has also resolved manufacturing problems associated with a foundry partnership that previously drove down sales. Further, the company has the potential for higher sales based on the possibility that its products could be sold into more market segments. Howard further said:
Having expanded capacity and addressed operational issues, the company is intensely focused on delivering superior service to its customers and distributors and driving demand creation, and is gaining traction with its customer-centric sales and marketing initiatives and new product introductions.
As a result, the Ramtron Board of Directors believes that Cypress' unsolicited proposal fails to reflect the Company's strengthened competitive position, F-RAM intellectual property and deep know-how, and strong prospects for long-term growth, as well as the progress being made toward expanding the Company's product portfolio beyond specialty memory products to also include integrated semiconductor solutions.
Ramtron doesn't seem averse to a transaction with Cypress or any other suitors, however. The company said it will begin to explore "strategic alternatives" that may include a sale of the business or continuation of its current growth plans. Cypress, it said, "has been invited to participate in this process."
If Cypress really wants Ramtron, this sounds like a call to jack up its current offer of $2.48 per share. As I pointed out in a previous blog, it is possible for Cypress to purchase Ramtron. Despite the strengths highlighted in the press statement, Ramtron's board of directors seem to realize they don't have a strong enough hand due to the recent weakness in the company's performance and may be willing to entertain the prospect of being acquired.
In my opinion, the ball is back in Cypress's court. It can close the deal, but it will have to jack up the offer nicely and work from behind the scenes to eliminate some of the acrimony that has seeped in as the two parties bargained over the last year or so. If Cypress fails to make its move soon, it is possible other suitors may step in, sparking a bidding war.
@taimoorz: If management believes the offer was weak and they value it higher is that valuation artificial? Regarding the second offer, it was basically the same as the first, so why decline the first and accept the second? Takeover speculation obviously has helped the current stock price(which in turn could be artificial if quarter results are poor), but I believe management had a good reason to decline the offer and results this quarter will benefit the stock and Ramtrons future or future buyout.
Last year Ramtron lost money. If Ramtron came out with 2-10 cents profit this quarter and they were able to raise this years revenue and eps outlook, Ramtron will likely sky rocket.
The stock is getting more attention and hopefully can maintain this momentum.
@JBla203: Do you think Ramtron's earning will be the sole reason to make the value go up? Could it be acquisition speculation that are playing a role in driving the value up. If the latter is true, the increase in value may be artificial.
With economics showing down trend in many Europe regions and the saturated telecommunication market would definitely have more negative impact on sales of Ramtron. I'm not sure if there is any other company who is really interested in Ramtron.
In any bidding war, the seller should absolutely go for a better deal. If Ramtron is holding out and it can demonstrate it's woth more than Cypress wants to pay, due diligence will show that.
I hope Ramtron comes out with great numbers this quarter, this would really boost the stock and those interested in buying the company would begin to raise their offering price. How long can this process take? If a bidding war occurs will the stock be around to see a few more quarterly results?
By moving to the core of the industry and offerings services that keep the system humming, a group within the electronics market has rendered irrelevant the question of ownership and control of the supply chain.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
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Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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