PRESS RELEASE
Isola Group Completes Polyclad Acquisition
Monday, April 24, 2006
ISOLA GROUP, SARL, a designer,
developer and manufacturer of high performance base materials for the printed
circuit board industry, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of
Polyclad Laminates from Cookson Group plc, for a cash consideration of $91M
following approval by European Union antitrust authorities. Polyclad
manufactures a line of laminate and prepreg materials similar to Isola Group.
According to Ray Sharpe, CEO
of the new corporation, “This acquisition allows us to broaden our product
portfolio and strengthen our geographic footprint. The product lines for both
companies are very complementary resulting in the most complete product offering
in the industry.” Isola plans to spend approximately $50 million U.S. dollars on
cash restructuring charges to ensure more efficient use of global manufacturing
capacities, creating a global supplier capable of competing effectively in the
long term with laminate suppliers based solely in low-cost regions of the world.
Accordingly, the following operations were announced as key strategic
manufacturing sites: North America: Elk Grove, CA; Ridgeway, SC; Chandler, AZ
and Fremont, CA. Europe: Duren, Germany; Bottogone and Brugherrio, Italy (Isola
Fabrics srl). Asia Pacific: Taiwan and Singapore. China: Huizhou, Dalian and
Suzhou. With this expanded footprint, no other laminator offers a global
geographic Supply Chain comparable to Isola. This restructuring will also
include significant investment in the Chandler, Arizona R&D center and the
establishment of an expanded Asia Pacific technical service/R&D center in
Singapore.
In North America, the combined
companies will be merged into a single entity, Isola USA Corporation, which will
be co-located with the Isola Group SARL. global headquarters in Chandler,
Arizona. U.S. operations will continue to be managed by the corporate
functional team headed by Ray Sharpe with Brian McDermott as Vice-President of
Sales. Sales in North America will be handled through a combination of direct
sales force, select Polyclad sales agents and Isola’s exclusive distributor,
Insulectro. Chris Benincasa of Polyclad, will join the Isola Corporate team as
VP Procurement and Supply Chain.
European headquarters will
remain in Italy, led by Augusto Meozzi, Isola President of European Operations.
Increased use of distribution and sales agents from both companies will provide
continuity to the customer base.
Isola’s Asia Pacific
headquarters will be relocated from Taiwan to Hong Kong with Bob Haskins of
Polyclad becoming President of Isola Asia Pacific. David Lee, formerly President
of Isola Asia, has elected to retire after 16 years of loyal and dedicated
service. Matt LaRont, VP Asia Pacific Sales, will relocate to Hong Kong.
Isola will be working quickly
with its customers to determine the best transition of product to the strategic
manufacturing sites, as well as, which products will be rationalized. Isola CEO
Ray Sharpe stressed that the company will be in frequent contact with Isola and
Polyclad customers as the corporation transitions, and expects to announce
within a few days, the complete restructuring plan to its customers, associates
and suppliers.
About Isola
Isola Group, SARL, with
headquarters in Chandler, Arizona, is a technology-driven, global designer,
developer and manufacturer of high performance base materials used in the
manufacture of advanced multilayer printed circuit boards worldwide. Isola's
investment in research and development, technology and state-of-the-art
manufacturing facilities and practices results in superior value to our
customers, with innovative solutions to minimize costs and cut manufacturing
time. Our commitment is reflected in our global network of sales and
distribution offices allowing us to meet evolving customer needs and provide a
full spectrum of services.
Isola's broad range of
products are used in multiple applications including: aerospace, automotive,
broadband telecommunications, military, chip packaging and testing, high end
computing, high speed digital designs and other specialty markets. Isola
operates multiple manufacturing, R&D and sales offices throughout Europe, Asia
and the United States. For a complete listing of product offerings and
facilities visit our website at
www.isola-group.com.