Murata acquires Peregrine for $471m

26th August 2014

Nat Bowers

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Murata Electronics has entered into a definitive agreement acquire all outstanding shares of Peregrine Semiconductor for $12.50 per share in cash, or a total transaction value of $471 million ($465 million excluding Murata’s existing holding). Part of Murata’s strategy to expand its core business, Peregrine will become a wholly owned subsidiary and continue with its current business model of solving the world’s toughest RF challenges.

The acquisition will provide Murata with advanced RF Front-end capabilities and a strong portfolio of intellectual property rights covering the entire RF Silicon on Insulator (SOI) front-end. The transaction has been approved by both companies’ boards of directors and is expected
to close by the end of 2014 or early 2015. However, this is subject to Peregrine’s stockholders’ approval, regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions.

Norio Nakajima, Executive Vice President, Director of Communication Business Unit, Murata, comments: “This acquisition will combine Murata’s world-leading mobile RF module capabilities with Peregrine’s best-in-class RF front-end products. Peregrine has a team of talented RF engineers. Peregrine invented RF SOI, has led its development for 20 years, and accomplished a large number of industry firsts. We have worked closely with them for many years. Their innovation, including the Global 1 all-silicon integrated RF front-end, is a key strategic area for the mobile industry. This transaction will deepen our existing partnership and position us to meet the expanding opportunities in this field.”

“Murata is the world’s leading RF module and filter provider, and we have benefited from our many years of partnership with them. The combination of Murata’s leading products with Peregrine’s leading-edge SOI products will position us to compete aggressively in our chosen markets. As part of the Murata team, we will be able to expand our existing partnership and speed the industry’s transition to an integrated, all-CMOS RF front-end. We remain committed to providing leading solutions to customers in all our current markets. We have huge respect for Murata’s capabilities, and look forward to jointly accomplishing great things,” added Jim Cable, PhD, Chairman and CEO, Peregrine Semiconductor.