Knowles Announces Next Phase Of Transformation To An Industrial Technology Company

Knowles Corporation, a leading global supplier of high performance components and solutions, including ceramic capacitors and radio frequency (“RF”) filters, advanced medtech microphones and balanced armature speakers and audio solutions, today announced strategic actions to accelerate its transformation to an industrial technology company focused on higher growth and higher value opportunities.

The Company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Cornell Dubilier (“CD”) in an all-cash transaction. In parallel, Knowles announced that it is evaluating strategic alternatives for its Consumer MEMS Microphones business (“CMM”).

Proposed Acquisition of Cornell Dubilier

Cornell Dubilier, based in Liberty, South Carolina, is a technology leader and manufacturer of high-quality film, electrolytic and mica capacitors used in demanding medtech, military, aerospace, and industrial electrification applications with an annualized revenue of more than $135 million and over 35 thousand customers. The acquisition:

• Increases Exposure to High-Growth End Markets: The transaction significantly expands Knowles’ serviceable available market through Cornell Dubilier’s capacitor offerings. In addition, Cornell Dubilier’s end markets are aligned to key growth tailwinds, including increasing defense budgets, medical imaging and critical care application growth as well as industrial electrification and implementation of next generation fast charging architectures.

• Diversifies and Expands Product Portfolio: The combination of Cornell Dubilier’s broad selection of power film, electrolytic and mica capacitors with Knowles’ Precision Devices segment will deliver a compelling value proposition and wider portfolio of products and solutions to both existing and new customers.

• Drives Non-GAAP EPS Accretion and Preserves Financial Flexibility: Pro forma, the acquisition is expected to be accretive to Knowles’ non-GAAP EPS in 2024. Following the closing of the acquisition, Knowles expects to have a leverage ratio of 1.4x pro forma EBITDA and maintain its capital deployment strategy focused on balancing R&D and capex investment with accretive M&A while continuing to return cash to shareholders through share repurchases.

“Adding Cornell Dubilier’s impressive, broad-based roster of OEM and distribution partner customers, as well as its leading capabilities in capacitor technology will expand the applications for Knowles’ products,” said Knowles Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Niew. “We will be well positioned to grow with new and existing customers as we work to generate stronger earnings and cash flow and create shareholder value. We admire the outstanding company and culture built by the Kaplan family over the past 40 years and we look forward to welcoming Cornell Dubilier’s talented employees to Knowles.”

“We are thrilled to be joining Knowles, which shares our culture of innovation,” said Cornell Dubilier Chief Executive Officer Jim Kaplan. “Like Knowles, some of the world’s most respected companies rely on Cornell Dubilier’s technologies, and together, we will be well positioned to offer even more cutting-edge products and solutions to our customers and drive growth.”

Acquisition Terms & Details

The total cost of the acquisition is $263 million and consists of a $140 million cash payment at closing and an interest-free seller note of $123 million, with $50 million maturing one year from closing and the remaining $73 million maturing two years from closing. The total fair value of the consideration transferred is estimated at $250 million and represents 9.6x Cornell Dubilier’s trailing-twelve-month adjusted EBITDA inclusive of run-rate cost synergies. Knowles expects to finance the acquisition with a combination of cash on hand, borrowings from its existing revolving credit facility, and the seller note.

The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2023, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

J.P. Morgan is serving as the exclusive financial advisor to Knowles and Foley & Lardner LLP is serving as its legal advisor.

Exploring Strategic Alternatives for Consumer MEMS Microphones Business

The Company also announced today that it is reviewing strategic alternatives for its CMM business. CMM designs and manufactures micro-electro-mechanical systems microphones that enable voice control communication and superior audio recording for customers across the ear, compute, internet of things and smartphone market segments.

Mr. Niew commented, “The CMM segment is an attractive, cash-producing business with differentiated products and a strong customer base. This process is another step in Knowles’ business transformation as we explore potential partners to accelerate a return to growth for CMM.”

The Company has engaged Jefferies LLC to assist in the CMM strategic review. No assurance can be given that any transaction or other strategic outcomes will result from the review. The Company has not set a timetable for the conclusion of the strategic review and does not intend to comment on or provide updates regarding these matters unless and until it determines that further disclosure is appropriate or required.

Investor Presentation

Knowles today posted an investor presentation with details regarding the Cornell Dubilier transaction, which is available at http://investor.knowles.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share (“non-GAAP diluted EPS”) is adjusted for certain non-GAAP reconciling adjustments, including stock-based compensation expense, intangibles amortization expense, impairment charges, restructuring charges, and other infrequent or non-recurring expense and income items that, when removed, result in greater comparability of results between reporting periods. Non-GAAP diluted EPS also includes the income tax effects of non-GAAP reconciling adjustments, which are calculated using the applicable tax rates in the jurisdictions of the underlying adjustments. The number of shares used in the non-GAAP diluted EPS calculations excludes the impact of stock-based compensation expense expected to be incurred in future periods and not yet recognized in the financial statements, which would otherwise be assumed to be used to repurchase shares under the GAAP treasury stock method.

Knowles believes that non-GAAP measures are useful as supplements to its GAAP results of operations to evaluate certain aspects of its operations and financial performance, and its management team primarily focuses on non-GAAP items in evaluating Knowles' performance for business planning purposes. Knowles also believes that these measures assist it with comparing its performance between various reporting periods on a consistent basis, as these measures remove from operating results the impact of items that, in Knowles' opinion, do not reflect its core operating performance. Knowles believes that its presentation of non-GAAP financial measures is useful because it provides investors and securities analysts with the same information that Knowles uses internally for purposes of assessing its core operating performance.

About Knowles

Knowles is a market leader and global provider of advanced micro-acoustic microphones and balanced armature speakers, audio solutions, and high performance capacitors and RF products, serving the consumer electronics, medtech, defense, electric vehicle, industrial, and communications markets. Knowles uses its leading position in SiSonic™ micro-electro-mechanical systems ("MEMS") microphones and strong capabilities in audio processing technologies to optimize audio systems and improve the user experience across consumer applications. Knowles is also a leader in hearing health acoustics, high performance capacitors, and RF solutions for a diverse set of markets. Knowles’ focus on the customer, combined with unique technology, proprietary manufacturing techniques, and global operational expertise, enables it to deliver innovative solutions across multiple applications. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, Knowles is a global organization with employees in over a dozen countries. The Company continues to invest in high value solutions to diversify its revenue and increase exposure to high growth markets. For more information, visit knowles.com.

About Cornell Dubilier

Cornell Dubilier is a privately held company headquartered in Liberty, South Carolina. Cornell Dubilier is a technology leader and manufacturer of high-performance film, electrolytic and mica capacitors used in demanding medtech, defense & aerospace, and industrial electrification applications.