October 7, 2019-Merck, the world's leading technology company, announced the completion of the acquisition of Versum Materials ("Versum") for approximately 5.8 billion euros. The merger will further promote Merck to become a leading supplier of electronic materials in the semiconductor and display industries.
After recently obtaining antitrust approval from China's State Administration of Market Supervision (SAMR), this acquisition has completed all required regulatory approvals and this acquisition is officially completed. The acquisition will increase Merck ’s global workforce by approximately 2,300. Merck will have nearly 56,000 employees in 66 countries and regions around the world. As of 2022, the third full year after the completion of the transaction, the annual collaborative operating income from mergers and acquisitions is expected to reach 75 million euros.
Stefan Oschmann, Chairman and CEO of Merck Group, said: "By acquiring Versum, we will conform to and serve the long-term growth trend of the electronic materials industry and further consolidate our dominant position. While continuously expanding our business areas , Continue to strengthen and optimize the product portfolio of our high-performance materials business, and further strengthen technology and product R & D and innovation at the strategic level through mergers and acquisitions. "Since 2007, Merck has completed more than 40 billion euros Acquisitions and business divestitures, thereby rapidly transforming into a leading global innovative technology company. In accordance with established practice, Merck will focus on generating cash income in the next step and quickly reduce the debt after the acquisition.
"We warmly welcome Versum to join our family. Following the recent completion of the acquisition of Intermolecular, this transaction marks another important milestone in our 'Bright Future' transformation plan and further drives us to become a global electronic materials market leader Kai Beckmann, a member of Merck's executive board and chief executive officer of the high-performance materials business, said, "After this merger, the complementary advantages of both parties' technologies will enable us to provide more cutting-edge innovative technologies to customers in the electronics industry. And solutions. I believe our customers will benefit from our combined product and service portfolio and broader global business landscape. "
To ensure a smooth follow-up integration, Merck has made outstanding progress in the integration planning process. The original Versum business will be integrated into the semiconductor technology business unit, one of the three major business units of Merck's high-performance materials business. The Semiconductor Technology Division will consist of two business units: semiconductor materials, delivery systems and services. Semiconductor materials will be led by Anand Nambiar, currently responsible for Merck Semiconductor Technology Division, and will continue to provide semiconductor manufacturers with solutions for high-performance material development and commercial application services. The delivery system and services will be led by Jeff White (formerly Versum), mainly developing and configuring related equipment for semiconductor manufacturers, and providing equipment installation support and safe handling services when the equipment uses special materials. In addition, John Langan (formerly Versum) will also serve as the chief technology officer of Merck's high-performance materials business. The positions of other members of the high-performance materials business leadership team have also been confirmed, and plans to continue to maintain Versum's Arizona plant to become Merck's composite electronic materials business center in the United States.
Merck is now the sole owner of Versum, and Versum ’s shares have ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Merck will pay Versum shareholders $ 53 in cash per share.