EXFO Completes Acquisition of Consultronics and Raises Sales Guidance (CCNMatthews)
January 26, 2006
QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(CCNMatthews - Jan. 26, 2006) - EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ:EXFO - News; TSX:EXF.SV - News) announced today that it has completed its acquisition of the assets of Consultronics Limited, a leading supplier of test equipment for copper-based broadband access networks.
Earlier this month, EXFO signed an agreement to purchase substantially all the assets of Consultronics in an all-cash transaction based on the carrying value of the assets on the closing date of the acquisition. Consideration paid amounts to approximately C$22.8 million (US$19.8 million), including debt assumption and other acquisition-related costs.
Consultronics, a privately held company based in Toronto with operations in the United Kingdom and Hungary, specializes in x-Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL), Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) and Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) test solutions for the broadband access market.
The transaction is expected to be neutral for the remainder of fiscal 2006 and accretive in fiscal 2007. This forecast takes into account approximately US$2.0 million, or US$0.03 per diluted share, annually in additional amortization of intangible assets.
"The closing was scheduled to occur before mid-March, so I'm pleased that both teams worked together remarkably well to accelerate the process and create a solid integration plan that leverages sales and product synergies," said Germain Lamonde, EXFO's Chairman, President and CEO.
To account for Consultronics' results of operations with about one month left in the second quarter of fiscal 2006, EXFO has raised its sales guidance by US$1.0 million to a range between US$27.0 and US$30.0 million for the quarter ending Feb. 28, 2006. GAAP net earnings/loss guidance remains unchanged between a net loss of US$0.01 per diluted share and net earnings of US$0.02 per diluted share, given the anticipated neutral impact of the acquisition on the remainder of fiscal 2006. Corporate metrics for fiscal 2006, reflecting the contribution from Consultronics and financial performance at the mid-point of the fiscal year, will be updated following the end of the second quarter.
About EXFO
EXFO is a recognized test and measurement expert in the global telecommunications industry. The Telecom Division, which represents the company's main business activity, offers a full suite of test solutions and monitoring systems to network service providers, cable TV operators, telecom system vendors and component manufacturers in approximately 70 countries. EXFO is the global market leader for portable optical test solutions and a leading supplier of protocol and access test solutions to enable triple-play deployments and converged IP networking. Its PC/Windows-based modular FTB-200, FTB-400 and IQS-500 test platforms host a wide range of modular test solutions across optical, physical, data and network layers, while maximizing technology reuse across several market segments. The Life Sciences and Industrial Division, which leverages several core telecom technologies, offers value-added solutions in the life sciences and high-precision assembly sectors based on advanced spot-curing, fluorescence microscopy and nanopositioning solutions. For more information about EXFO, visit www.EXFO.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and we intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical information or statements of current condition. Words such as may, will, expect, believe, anticipate, intend, could, estimate, continue, or the negative or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events and circumstances are considered forward-looking statements. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements due to various factors including consolidation in the global telecommunications test and measurement industry; capital spending levels in the telecommunications, life sciences and high-precision assembly sectors; concentration of sales; fluctuating exchange rates and our ability to execute in these uncertain conditions; the effects of the additional actions we have taken in response to such economic uncertainty (including workforce reductions, ability to quickly adapt cost structures with anticipated levels of business, ability to manage inventory levels with market demand); market acceptance of our new products and other upcoming products; limited visibility with regards to customer orders and the timing of such orders; our ability to successfully integrate our acquired and to-be-acquired businesses; the retention of key technical and management personnel; and future economic, competitive and market conditions. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments and risks, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Other risk factors that may affect our future performance and operations are detailed in our Annual Report on Form 20-F and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities commissions. We believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information currently available to us, but we cannot assure you that the expectations will prove to have been correct. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this document. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any of them to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this document.
Contact:
Vance Oliver
EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc.
Manager, Investor Relations
(418) 683-0913, Ext. 3733 Go Back to Press & News Release Archives |
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