defa14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
SOLECTRON CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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The following is a transcript of the joint press conference and webcast conducted by
Flextronics and Solectron on June 4, 2007.
Safe Harbor Statement
This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal
securities laws relating to both Flextronics and Solectron. These forward-looking statements may
include statements related to the expected timing for closing of the acquisition of Solectron by
Flextronics, the expected synergies and benefits to the combined company and its customers from the
acquisition, the impact of the acquisition on Flextronicss earnings per share, the ability of
Flextronics to successfully integrate the businesses of the combined company, projected revenue and
earnings and related growth and other statements regarding the anticipated future performance of
the combined company and the industry in which it operates. These forward-looking statements are
based on current assumptions and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements.
These risks include the possibility that the acquisition may not be completed as planned or at all,
difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory or shareholder approvals for the proposed
transaction, the possibility that the revenues, cost savings, growth prospects and any other
synergies expected from the proposed transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to
realize than expected, that growth in the EMS business may not occur as expected or at all, the
dependence of the combined company on industries that continually produce technologically advanced
products with short life cycles, the ability of the combined company to respond to changes and
fluctuations in demand for customers products and the short-term nature of customers commitments,
and the other risks affecting Flextronics, Solectron and the combined company as described in the
section entitled Risk Factors in the joint proxy statement/prospectus to be provided to
Flextronicss and Solectrons shareholders as well as those described under Risk Factors and
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in their
quarterly and annual reports and other filings made by Flextronics and by Solectron with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this communication are based
on current expectations and neither Flextronics nor Solectron assumes any obligation to update
these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Investors are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Additional Information and Where to Find it
In connection with the Merger, Flextronics intends to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will contain a Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. Investors and security holders are urged to read the Registration Statement
and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus carefully when they become available because they will
contain important information about Flextronics, Solectron and the proposed merger. The Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other relevant materials (when they become available), and any other
documents filed with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SECs web site www.sec.gov. In
addition, investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of other documents filed by
Flextronics or Solectron by directing a written request, as appropriate, to Solectron at 847
Gibraltar Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035, Attention: Investor Relations, or to Flextronicss U.S.
offices at 2090 Fortune Drive, San Jose, CA 95131, Attention: Investor Relations. Investors and
security holders are urged to read the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the other relevant
materials when they become available before making any voting or investment decision with respect
to the proposed merger.
Final Transcript
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to
sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of
securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to
registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. No offering of
securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Participants in the Solicitation
Flextronics, Solectron and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to
be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed merger. Information
regarding the interests of these directors and executive officers in the proposed transaction will
be included in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus referred to above. Additional information
regarding the directors and executive officers of Flextronics is also included in Flextronicss
proxy statement (Form DEF 14A) for the 2006 annual general meeting of Flextronics shareholders,
which was filed with the SEC on July 31, 2006. This document is available free of charge at the
SECs website (www.sec.gov) and by contacting Flextronics Investor Relations at
Flextronicsinvestorrelations@flextronics.com. Additional information regarding the directors and
executive officers of Solectron is also included in Solectrons proxy statement (Form DEF 14A) for
the 2007 annual stockholders meeting of Solectron, which was filed with the SEC on December 4,
2006. This document is available free of charge at the SECs website (www.sec.gov) and by
contacting Solectron at 847 Gibraltar Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035, Attention: Investor Relations.
Final Transcript
Conference Call Transcript
FLEX Flextronics to Acquire Solectron
Event Date/Time: Jun. 04. 2007 / 8:30AM ET
CORPORATE PARTICIPANTS
Final Transcript
Tom Smach
Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Mike McNamara
Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
Paul Tufano
Solectron Corp. - EVP & Interim CEO
CONFERENCE CALL PARTICIPANTS
Brian White
Jefferies & Co. - Analyst
Lou Miscioscia
Cowen & Co. - Analyst
William Stein
Credit Suisse - Analyst
Alex Blanton
Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
Kevin Kessel
Bear Stearns - Analyst
Steven Fox
Merrill Lynch - Analyst
Yuri Krapavin
Lehman Brothers - Analyst
Jim Suva
Citigroup - Analyst
PRESENTATION
Operator
Good morning, and welcome to the Flextronics conference call. All lines will be on listen-only
until the question-and-answer session of todays conference. (Operator Instructions.) Todays call
is being recorded. If you have any objections, please disconnect at this time. I would now like to
turn the call over to Mr. Tom Smach, Chief Financial Officer. Thank you. Sir, you may begin.
Tom Smach -
Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Thank you and good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for joining this joint conference
call to discuss this mornings announcement that Flextronics and Solectron have entered into a
definitive agreement for Flextronics to acquire Solectron, creating the most diversified and
premier global provider of advanced design and vertically integrated EMS services.
We have some prepared remarks before opening the call up for questions. To help communicate the
data in this call, you can also view a slide presentation on the Internet. Go to the Investors
Section of the Flextronics Web site and select Calls and Presentations. You will need to click
through the slides, so we will give you the slide number we are referring to.
On the call with me today is Mike McNamara, Chief Executive Officer of Flextronics, and Paul
Tufano, Executive Vice President and Interim Chief Executive Officer of Solectron. We will start on
slide 3.
Please note that this conference call contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
U.S. securities laws. These statements are subject to risks that can cause actual results to differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Information about these
risks is noted on slide 3 of the slide presentation and in the risk factors of the [ND&A] sections
of both companies latest annual reports
Final Transcript
filed with the SEC, as well as the companies other SEC filings, including the joint proxy
statement prospectus that will be provided to each companys shareholders in connection with this
transaction. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and neither
Flextronics nor Solectron assumes any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except
as required by law. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements.
As you turn to slide 4, I will now turn the call over to Mike McNamara, Chief Executive Officer of
Flextronics.
Mike McNamara
- Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
Thanks, Tom, and good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We believe combining Solectron and
Flextronics creates the most diversified and premier global provider of advanced design and
vertically integrated electronic manufacturing services. The combined Company will have the
broadest worldwide EMS capabilities, from design resources to end-to-end vertically integrated
global supply chain services, which will enhance our ability to design, build, and ship a complete
product for our OEM customers. By combining Solectrons resources and unique skill sets,
Flextronics will be able to provide more value innovation to customers by leveraging the combined
global economies of scale of manufacturing, logistics, procurement, design, engineering, and ODM
services. The enhanced capabilities of the combined Company will increase the competitiveness of
our customers by simplifying their global product development process while also delivering
improved product quality with improved performance and faster time to market.
One of Flextronics competitive advantages is its ability to effectively integrate large-scale
acquisitions of global operations. And we are confident in our ability to do so with this
transaction. As always, our customer service requirements will come first as we work through our
integration plan.
We are convinced that the combined Company creates more value to our customers, employees, and
shareholders, and clearly creates a more diversified and formidable Company that can achieve
greater profits, cash flows, and returns than either Company could have achieved individually.
Slide 5. Solectron is an extremely important strategic addition to Flextronics, and this
combination transforms the landscape of our industry. Operating in 35 countries with a combined
workforce of approximately 200,000 employees, including approximately 4,000 design engineers, the
combined Companys annual revenue will exceed $30 billion across seven well diversified customer
market segments and several vertical component divisions. By joining forces, we expect the
increased scale will enable us to further extend our market segment reach, realize significant cost
savings, and better serve the needs of our combined customers, employees, and shareholders.
Solectrons strength in the high-end computing and telecom segments will be an invaluable addition
to Flextronics existing capabilities. The combined Company will be the market leader in most
product market segments. We will be a larger, more competitive Company, and therefore better
positioned to deliver supply chain solutions that fulfill our customers increasingly complex
requirements.
The breadth and depth of the combined Company significantly leverages our vertical integration
opportunity while taking significant costs out of the Companys combined infrastructure. The
combined Company will be stronger and more diversified than either on its own and will be better
positioned to increase shareholders value through greater cash flow and earnings.
Over the last 18 months, we have reorganized our management structure to create the infrastructure
required to effectively and efficiently add scale to our operations. As a result, we are well
prepared to achieve the expected synergies by successfully integrating our new partner into our
Company. We are thrilled to add Solectrons customers and employees to our organization.
Slide 6. There are many aspects of the individual companies that are strengthened through this
combination. For example, Flextronics strength in vertical integration and ODM capabilities
complements Solectrons needs for such capabilities. Solectrons strengths in high-end computing,
communications, and networking infrastructure market segments complements Flextronics expertise in
cell phones and consumer electronics. The combined Company will be a leading EMS supplier of
high-end products, while enhancing and leveraging Flextronics global leadership position in
high-volume, low-cost products.
Solectrons strengths in after-market sales support, repair service, and BCO/CPO in more complex
products will address Flextronics needs to increase such capabilities. In addition, there are
significant industry-wide benefits resulting from industry consolidation. Flextronics view on the
need for industry consolidation has always been around when, not if. The EMS industry is very
fragmented, with too many well-capitalized
Final Transcript
competitors with excess capacity. As the industry consolidates, we believe it increases the
industry-wide capacity utilization, thereby lowering overall costs, which increases
profitabilities, cash flow, and return on capital.
From Flextronics perspective, Solectron is at a crossroads, making the timing right for this
transaction. They have stabilized their business levels and operating results, but for further
improvement, we believe they require vertical integration capabilities and further footprint
rationalization. In addition, they are in the midst of a management team transition. As we have
said, Solectron is an attractive partner. Because of our combined capabilities, well create the
broadest service offering in the industry. In addition, Solectron has stable operations that will
be further strengthened by this combination. We think any time you have the opportunity to
consolidate a competitor with stable, high-quality operations at a valuation that creates
significant shareholder value with low execution risk, it is a compelling opportunity worth
pursuing.
With regard to Flextronics valuation and in light of our flat stock price, despite our
above-average market performance, it felt like we needed an industry-wide catalyst to ignite a
higher valuation for our shareholders. The timing seemed right for us to make this move, and
Solectron was by far our preferred choice.
I will now turn the call over to Paul Tufano, Executive Vice President and interim Chief Executive
Officer for Solectron.
Paul Tufano -
Solectron Corp. - EVP & Interim CEO
Thanks, Mike, and good morning, everyone. Flextronics proven track record, (inaudible) market
positions, strong balance sheet, and strong reputation as a global leader in electronics
manufacturing services make the combination attractive for our customers, shareholders, and
employees. Specifically, the transaction provides Solectrons customers with enhanced portfolio
design and vertically integrated capabilities, greater scale, and expanded supply chain leverage,
along with the advantages of an increased low-cost global footprint. Combining these two companies
allows us to transcend what we have accomplished individually and significantly reshapes and
re-energizes our industry. We believe Flextronics has a large-scale integration expertise and
systems infrastructure capable of successfully integrating and managing the combined Companies, in
which all the meaningful synergies are realized.
Flextronics is the best strategic partner for Solectron, and we are extremely excited about the
potential for this combined Company going forward and the value creation that it represents.
Moreover, with the significant stock component offered in transaction, Solectrons shareholders
have a meaningful opportunity for a stake in the realization of that value. Were all very
enthusiastic about the strategic combination and believe it will create significant value for
shareholders of both Companies. I will now turn the call over to Tom.
Tom Smach -
Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Thanks, Paul. Please turn to slide 7. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, unanimously
approved by both Boards of Directors of both Companies, shareholders of Solectron will receive
total consideration currently valued at approximately $3.6 billion. As part of the agreement,
Solectron has the right to nominate two individuals, approved by Flextronics, to the Board of
Directors of the combined Company. The transaction is subject to customer at closing conditions,
including shareholder approvals of both Companies, certain regulatory approvals, and other customer
at closing conditions. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the calendar year 2007.
Slide 8. Solectrons shareholders can elect to receive either 0.345 shares of Flextronics or a cash
payment of $3.89 per share. As more fully described in the press release, both of these elections
are subject to being prorated so that not less than 50% and not more than 70% of Solectrons shares
can be converted into shares of Flextronics, and not less than 30% and not more than 50% of
Solectrons shares can be converted into cash of $3.89 a share. This represents a one-day cash and
stock premium of approximately 15% and 20%, respectively, over the closing price of $3.37 on June
1, 2007, for Solectron.
While Flextronics will continue to evaluate alternative long-term financing arrangements, Citigroup
has committed to provide Flextronics with a $2.5 billion, seven-year, senior unsecured term loan to
fund the cash requirements for this transaction, including the refinancing of Solectrons debt, if
required. Following the acquisition, Solectron will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Flextronics, and Solectrons shareholders will own approximately 20% to 26% of Flextronics
outstanding shares.
Slide 9. The cash payments made by Flextronics to Solectrons shareholders will range from $1.06
billion to $1.77 billion, and the stock issued by Flextronics to Solectrons shareholders will
range from 156.8 million to 219.6 million shares. The total equity consideration paid by
Flextronics, based on the closing stock price on June 1, is approximately $3.6 billion. As of their
most recent quarter ended March 2, 2007, Solectron had approximately $1.1 billion in cash and total
debt of $641 million, or net cash of approximately $445 million.
Final Transcript
Slide 10. This combination is expected to create customer benefits, cost reductions, and synergies
neither Company could have achieved on its own. We have a very detailed road map of the synergies
that will result from this combination, most of the synergies resulting from eliminating redundant
assets or unnecessary functions that result from combining two companies into one. For example,
there will be some footprint rationalization and manufacturing and operating expense reductions.
Additional synergies will come from leveraging scale and purchasing power to drive cost savings,
and the expansion of vertical integration will drive higher combined profitability.
While some synergies will be achieved in the first 12 months after closing, it could take up to 18
to 24 months to fully integrate this acquisition and realize the full synergy potential, which we
estimate to be at least $200 million after tax, which should be at least 15% accretive to
Flextronics once all of the synergies are realized. As the integration progresses and actual
synergies are realized, we expect to raise our EPS expectations as the accretion occurs over the
integration period. For the time being, we are comfortable saying this transaction should not be
dilutive in any quarter after closing, so the only question is the timing as to when the accretion
occurs over the integration period. We will provide more insight into timing once this transaction
closes. The EPS accretion and after-tax synergies of $200 million excludes the restructuring
charges necessary to achieve these synergies.
Slide 11. In addition to the cost synergies, we expect the cash flow synergies will be well in
excess of the cash portion of the restructuring charges that are expected to result from the
integration of this acquisition. This will improve the Companys combined return on invested
capital. For example, we believe there are significant cash synergies that will result from
reducing Solectrons cash conversion cycle. We believe we can generate $300 million to $600 million
of cash by reducing their cash conversion cycle by 10 to 20 days.
Slide 11. Combined capital expenditures can be reduced by approximately $450 million over the first
three fiscal years post-closing from the redeployment of equipment and rationalized manufacturing
locations.
Slide 13. The pro forma assets of the combined Company, approximately $20 billion, with ample
liquidity consisting of a combined pro forma cash balance of approximately $1.8 billion and total
liquidity of approximately $3.8 billion, which includes Flextronics existing $2 billion revolver.
Assuming a 30% cash deal and 70% stock deal, the pro forma combined equity would be approximately
$8.7 billion. Total debt, including new acquisition debt, would be approximately $3.3 billion, and
net debt would be approximately $1.5 billion, and the debt to capital ratio would be 27.5%. The
market cap of the combined Company would be in excess of $9 billion, and the combined book
capitalization would be almost $12 billion.
Assuming a 50% cash deal and 50% stock deal, the pro forma combined equity would be $7.9 billion.
Total debt, including new acquisition debt, would be $4.0 billion, and net debt would be $2.2
billion, and the debt to capital ratio would be 33.5%. The market cap of the combined Company would
be in excess of $8.5 billion, and the combined book capitalization would also be almost $12
billion.
Slide 14. This combination significantly diversifies Flextronics revenue mix, as Solectron is
clearly the EMS leader in high-end computing, communications, and networking infrastructure market
segments. This overlays nicely onto Flextronics business mix. For example, Flextronics will be
gaining significant exposure to IBM, Alcatel-Lucent, and HPs medium and high-end services. The pro
forma combined top ten customers would be just over 60% of total revenues, and we would expect that
the only customer in excess of 10% of combined revenues would be Sony Ericsson.
Slide 15. The combined Companys annual revenues exceed $30 billion with a much more diversified
market segment mix. Flextronics computing segment will grow from 10% of total revenues to
approximately $19%. The consumer digital business will decrease from 24% to approximately 20%.
Telecom infrastructure will increase from 23% to approximately 30%. Mobile will decrease from 31%
to 19%. And industrial, automotive, medical, and other will remain at approximately 12%.
I will now turn the conference call over to the operator for questions. Please limit yourself to
one question and one follow-up.
Final Transcript
QUESTION AND ANSWER
Operator
Thank you. (Operator Instructions.) One moment, please, for the first question. The first
question comes from Brian White with Jefferies & Company. Your line is open.
Brian White -
Jefferies & Co. - Analyst
Yes. Good morning, guys. When we look at the, it seems like one big opportunity for you will
be the vertical integration at Solectron. Have you guys actually gone through and quantified what
the opportunity could be in both boards and enclosures within Solectron?
Tom Smach -
Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Yes, weve taken theobviously, we have limited data in going through the due diligence
process, and well get more clarification on that over the coming weeks and months. But weve taken
a rough cut at what that might look like, but the exact accuracy, we cant really tell. Whats
really important is that the high-end nature of Solectrons business fits extremely well into
Multecs business, which is really based around two different business segments, which is the
mobile phones and high-end infrastructure-type products. Well tie in telecom and high-end datacom
is where we believe Multec is as good as anybody in the world today. So it complements very nicely
from that standpoint, and then it also complements really nicely as it relates to the enclosure
business of Flextronics. I mean, our enclosure business for that product category is already in
Brazil, India, China, Mexico, and Eastern Europe, soin addition a few locations in the United
States and Western Europeso its just already an existing, fabulous footprint, and fits right
into the product category of Solectron. So we think the overlap is just great.
Brian White -
Jefferies & Co. - Analyst
Okay, and just a follow-up. When we look at the number of plants Solectron has, could someone
just remind everyone how many plants they have right now and how many Flextronics has around the
world?
Paul Tufano -
Solectron Corp. - EVP & Interim CEO
Solectron has about 50 manufacturing plants and service plants around the world.
Mike McNamara
- Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
And Flextronics probably has maybe 100.
Brian White -
Jefferies & Co. - Analyst
About 100. Okay. Congratulations.
Mike McNamara
- Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
Yes, thanks.
Operator
The next question comes from Lou Miscioscia with Cowen and Company. Your line is open.
Final Transcript
Lou Miscioscia
- Cowen & Co. - Analyst
Okay, thank you. Its just a comment was if youve spoken to any of your customers or joint
customers and anything that they had observations or concerns that some mobile assets might have to
be distributed somewhere else?
Tom Smach -
Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Sorry, Louis. We couldnt hear the end of your comment.
Lou Miscioscia
- Cowen & Co. - Analyst
Sure. Its just a concern that any customer overlap, those customers might have a desire to
not have as much revenue with one client company.
Tom Smach -
Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Yes. So I think youd have to go through kind of the customer list one by one and determine
what the go-forward plan might be. In Cisco right now, we tend to do product categories that are
more volume related, and Solectron does the product categories which are the highest-end products
that Solectron makes, so we believe it provides a nice little benefit to Cisco, because we can now
provide a very, very effective, complete service, from low-end products all the way up to high-end
products. The HP overlap almost doesnt exist, because almost all of our business in
Hewlett-Packard, for example, is in, is in the printers, and almost all of the business in
Solectron is non-printers. It tends to go into servers and repair and other different product
categories. In Nortel Networks, there is not any overlap in the product categories, but because
Solectron mostly does the wire lines kind of products. Flextronics, on average, does the optical
and the wireless. Probably some overlap in some of the Ericsson products that we do, but again,
very good relationships on both sides.
So I think you just have to go through them one by one and kind of sort out what we think the
opportunity is. But were very, very confident. Obviously, we know all the customers that have the
overlap, and we know how they think. We know what their supply chain strategies are, and were
very, very confident we can provide increased value as a result of this transaction as opposed to a
reduction in capabilities. So were very confident that well have minimal loss there.
Paul Tufano -
Solectron Corp. - EVP & Interim CEO
Yes, Lou, this is Paul. I think the heart, just to emphasize my point here. I think the value
of this combination is the power of these two companies providing a total (inaudible) solution to
customers, and right now, theres very little overlap in our customer base in terms of product
line. And thats what made this such attractive timing. I think as we continue to execute and
provide the breadth of service to these customers, I think theyre going to be more delighted with
working with the combined Company.
Lou Miscioscia
- Cowen & Co. - Analyst
Okay. Thank you. Good luck.
Tom Smach -
Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Thanks.
Operator
The next question comes from William Stein with Credit Suisse. Your line is open.
Final Transcript
William Stein
- Credit Suisse - Analyst
Thanks. One of the big reasons you gave for the benefits of the deal is footprint
rationalization, and Im wondering why that couldnt be done without the merger. In other words,
why do we need to see Flex buy Solectron to reduce capacity, as opposed to directly rationalizing
the Companys own capacity without the merger?
Tom Smach -
Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Well, I think that can be done, of course. Each individual Company is, I think, continually on
a path towards making sure that the footprints and the rationalization is exactly the right one.
The real attractive piece is by having a more diversified base, having a broader, well diversify
much more into the high-end data datacom/telecom, and it allows us an opportunity to have a more
diversified portfolio, and it allows us to leverage our assets a little bit better.
We actually think we can even, independent of, we think the individual utilization is going to go
up, because we have two Companies that may have factories in the same location. As an example, we
might both have Guadalajara operations, and we can balance those operations a lot better by having
two big operations as opposed to one. So I think it does allow itself for additional opportunities.
But the real key to do the transaction is not really just footprint rationalization. Its the
financial rationale that we talked about, that we anticipate a 15% accretion. Its the additional
scale that we get, thats beyond footprint rationalization and goes all the way into benefits that
well have in the supply base and other assets rationalization. It goes into the diversification.
It creates a more balanced view for us, and I think the vertical integration is a very, very
powerful addition that were going to get out of this. So I think the footprint rationalization,
maybe it can happen by itself, but I think this will accelerate it. And, but thats just one of the
many reasons why we might undergo this transaction.
William Stein
- Credit Suisse - Analyst
Okay. And then quickly also on the working capital metrics you guys put up. Im curious
whether its, its reasonable for us to assume that Flex will be able to reduce Solectrons working
capital needs. Im wondering what, whats going to drive that? Is it better systems at Flex? And it
was my sense that Solectron had higher levels of working capital more because of the end market
exposure which is going to, is not going to change. Its just going to merge. So Im curious how we
can think about that. Whats going to drive that improvement in working capital?
Mike McNamara
- Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
So we believe that weve demonstrated to the market over the years that were able to achieve
a cost, a structure that delivers, repeatedly delivers better and better cash cycle. And we do not
anticipate taking the Flextronics numbers all the way down to our cash cycle, because youre
correct. In many of their product categories, they tend to run products that have a little bit
higheror a little bit lower inventory turns. And as a result, demand a little bit higher cash
cycle. But alternatively, weve had techniques that have allowed us to drive the cash cycle down,
and its been the best in the industry for about three years. So we dont anticipate it getting all
the way down to Flextronics rates, but certainly, the way we manage AR inventory, AP, and all the
working capital metrics, we actually think we can make some improvement. So what weve itemized,
what Tom has itemized is the improvements that we think we can make in terms of studying the
balance sheet and understanding that Solectrons a little bit different market.
William Stein
- Credit Suisse - Analyst
All right. Ill let someone else hop on. Thank you.
Operator
The next question comes from Alex Blanton with Ingalls and Snyder. Your line is open.
Alex Blanton -
Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
Final Transcript
Hello. Can you hear me?
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Alex Blanton - Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
Just quickly. It would seem from reading the transaction terms that if your stock should go up
significantly, the cash, the stock portion will exceed the cash portion. Is that correct? So that
would mean that most people would elect for the stock portion in that case?
Mike McNamara - Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
Thats right, Alex. Its a fixed exchange ratio, so the number of shares that we will be
issuing will be fixed. But there is a band, so that if the stock price ends up being worth more
than the cash price, I would assume, although I cant say with certainty, but I think its a
reasonable assumption to assume that most shareholders would elect the stock, because it would be
worth more. But then the, they would get prorated back.
Alex Blanton - Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
They get prorated back. So if you said if your stock goes up, it will be 50%. And will that be
tax free?
Mike McNamara - Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
This is structured as a tax-free transaction.
Alex Blanton - Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
Okay, thank you. Second question. You said Sony Ericsson would be over 10% of the combined
Company. That would put it over $3 billion, is that correct?
Mike McNamara - Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
Alex Blanton - Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
Okay. Secondly, you said that industrial, auto, and medical will be approximately the same.
But that hasnt been a very big part of Solectron. So how could it stay the same percent?
Mike McNamara - Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
Well, I mean, thats just the way the numbers have come out. Im not sure quite how to answer
that, Alex.
Alex Blanton - Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
Well, what Im saying is its a much larger percentage for you than it is for Solectron, so
when you put two companies together, how could it be the same percentage as you are now? Thats all
Im asking.
Final Transcript
Mike McNamara - Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
Yes. According to the numbers I have, Alex, that categorys 13% of Solectrons business.
Alex Blanton - Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
And its how much of yours?
Mike McNamara - Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
Twelve.
Alex Blanton - Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
Twelve. Okay. Those arent the numbers I had. All right. And then finally and most
importantly, you mentioned $200 million of accretion from, or savings from combining the two
companies. However, I want to ask about this. Solectron has had very low margins for several years,
even though it has the same product mix, roughly, as Jabil. I mean, theyre not exactly the same,
but theyre comparable. Jabil has more low-volumehigh-volume, low-margin stuff, actually. So
there didnt seem to be any reason why Solectron couldnt have margins equivalent to Jabil because
of all the high-end business that it has and which you mentioned.
And I know over the years that Solectron customers have always said, including Cisco, that
Solectron had the greatest capability in the industry to do high-end, most-difficult-to-manufacture
products. And you mentioned that yourself. So the real question is, why couldnt they make a good
profit doing that? Their costs are too high or their prices are too low. But for some reason, they
werent able to get their margins up. So what will you be able to do in that regard, and is there
anything in the accretion numbers that you have given us for margin improvement on the Solectron
business?
Paul Tufano - Solectron Corp. - EVP & Interim CEO
Alex, this is Paul. Im going to take your question first. I mean, obviously, this is a
discussion that weve had on our calls repeatedly, that our goal is to have margin expansion. You
know, weve laid out a plan. I talked about margin expansion by increased execution, by (inaudible)
rationalization, and by growth. Thats why I feel valid, and weve seen improvement in margins,
albeit slight to what was hoped, but weve still seen those improvements.
I think what happens with this combination is that we get the ability to accelerate those
improvements, because you now have (a) the ability to use some of the vertical integration to get a
lower cost point, (b) the purchasing power of the combined Company is going to also accrue both to
our base as well as Flextronics base. And more importantly, I think that youre going to see the
rationalization of infrastructure in terms of fixed overheads affected dramatically to improve the
overall bottom line. So I think that we were on a path to do it on our own. This in essence
jump-starts that, and I think that thats why were so positive about this overall combination. But
Ill tell you right now, after this combination, our margin expansion picture was going to be the
same. We were on the same path. I think this just gives us the ability to jump-start it with a few
more tools.
Alex Blanton - Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
Well, yes, but the question was, is all of that margin improvement, aside from the synergies
that you can realize by combining two companies, but the margin improvement, is that in the $200
million or not? Or is it additional accretion that we can look forward to?
Mike McNamara - Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
Well, I think Paul said it really well. Theyre, one of the reasons that were attracted to
Solectron is because we actually think theyre on the path towards recovery. We dont necessarily
think that about everybody in the industry. We think theyre on a path towards recovery and became
more even more attractive as a result. And then you put the potential synergies of putting the
Companies together to be able to manage our joint assets
Final Transcript
in a more effective way, and we think that
even, like Paul said, it really dramatically accelerates our ability to go get those margin
targets. So I think, I think those are going to hit, and were pretty excited about them, and as
additional synergies, maybe the synergies are more than 200, and as those become evident and as we
can have good line of sight of those, well continue to update you.
And Alex, maybetheres a lot of other people on the call, so.
Alex Blanton - Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
Okay. Ill take it up with you offline. I still didnt get the answer. Thanks.
Mike McNamara - Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
Thank you.
Operator
The next question comes from Kevin Kessel with Bear Stearns. Your line is open.
Kevin Kessel - Bear Stearns - Analyst
Great. Thank you very much. Can youTom, maybe can you help outline in terms of restructuring
what it is that you expect to do? Maybe you guys have a sense for how many plants you might have to
take offline or what other actions are going to be taken?
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Yes, I think its premature to get into any of that type of discussion now, Kevin. Theres a
lot of activities on a combined basis that we need to collaborate and work together on, so I think
at this early juncture or junction, its just way, way too premature to get into any of that stuff.
So we will certainly provide updates and expectations and plans, but I think that needs to be
reserved for a later time.
Kevin Kessel - Bear Stearns - Analyst
Okay. And then just turning back to vertical integration. You know, in the past theres been
other acquisitions like Sanmina and FCI, where they talked a lot about doing vertical
cross-selling. Obviously, this is a different situation, but what gives you the confidence that
youre going to be able to convince the customers of Solectron that dont currently use Multec or
your enclosures to switch over, just because the acquisitions been done?
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Well, in some cases we may not be successful, but we certainly know all these customers from
the Multec standpoint and how they think. We know all these customers from the EMS standpoint and
how they think. And we also believe that our capabilities, for example, enclosures and Multec, I
think theyre as good as anybody in the world today. So on a stand-alone basis, independent of the
vertical integration, I mean, these companies should be able to, these businesses should be able to
book business from these customers in a very effective way. And in fact, they are. Theyre all
growing. Our enclosures operations expanded significantly last year, as well as Multec has
continued to grow, probably on average 25% a year for the last three or four years. All that growth
is not necessarily coming from vertical integration, so these vertical capabilities of Flextronics
are in, amongst themselves, world class.
The, by putting the Companies together, it allows us additional opportunities in the sales process
and in the deal formation process to go in and expand and leverage off that even more. So we think
we understand the customers from the component standpoint, and we think we understand
the customers from the EMS standpoint. Some of the customers we wont be able to convert, but I
think with the fact that theyre world class in amongst themselves, and then we can attach some
additional benefits by leveraging it into an overall deal, I think its going to be an attractive
Final Transcript
value proposition for the customer. So thats what we believe, thats how weve been getting the
value that weve been driving in Flextronics over the last year and how weve been able to get in
part the growth that were seeing, and we think well continue to be able to do that.
Mike McNamara - Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
Id like to add also, Mike, that Solectron today has control over certain bill of material
items that they may or may not have been directing toward Flextronics and our vertical integration
capabilities. Certainly in some instances perhaps theyve done that, but I think its fair to say
that they havent in 100% of those instances directed that business towards Flextronics. So there
is an opportunity in their base business today that they do have control over certain sourcing
decisions that we think could move over to Flextronics as quickly as possible after the closing.
Kevin Kessel - Bear Stearns - Analyst
Do you have any sort of a ballpark estimate for what sort of spend they have in printed
circuit boards and in enclosures?
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Yes, but I just hate to start getting into that level of detail, because then your next
question or next follow-up will be how much has moved over, et cetera, et cetera, so I just think
thats a fair question, Kevin, but just a little too detailed, and you can be assured that were
going to work together to maximize what is placed inside of Flextronics.
Kevin Kessel - Bear Stearns - Analyst
Okay, thank you.
Operator
The next question comes from Steven Fox with Merrill Lynch. Your line is open.
Steven Fox - Merrill Lynch - Analyst
Hi, good morning. Couple questions. First of all, I dont know if you can addressyou
mentioned $2.7 billion in combined property, plant, and equipment. Any sense for the scale of
reduction that you can undertake to get the synergies you talked about?
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Yes, I think once again we dont, we dont want to predetermine that yet. You have
toremember, we have not had the detailed opportunity to really get into the Solectron plants and
understand exactly what the rationalization activities are going to be and what the opportunities
are going to be. We have a good sense of what that might, may be like, but its just way too early
in the process to get into those details. We just need to get in and start working the
implementation and the integration planning, and then that field will become clearer over time.
Steven Fox - Merrill Lynch - Analyst
Okay. And then with regards to the integration planning, do you plan on setting up a separate
team that will be comprised of both Solectron and Flextronics executives? How do you plan on going
about it from a management standpoint?
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Final Transcript
Yes, I mean, one of the benefits of doing this transaction is that Solectron is about a mile
and a quarter away from us. So we have the, and thats also a part of the consideration for this
transaction is the location. So well actually be meeting with our transition teams. We will have
transition teams. Well be meeting with those transition teams later in the day, and we will have
this process already moving by the time the market closes.
Steven Fox - Merrill Lynch - Analyst
And Mike, just on the customer relationships. Can you give any more color on your comfort
level with the Solectron contracts? Have you spoken to any customers? What type of sales dilution
do you expect from the Solectron side? I mean, youve got to imagine that some business will walk
away. Any more you can comment on that?
Mike McNamara - Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
So, obviously, we dont know what will walk away. Weve modeled in terms of the synergies,
weve modeled a little bit walking away, just because we want to be fair and realistic about the
process. But were going to work really hard. We actually believe that with the combination of the
two Companies, we can put together some project teams that are just unbelievably strong and
talented and really have the ability to create value with the customer.
And our objective is to come with such an overwhelming offering that it will be really difficult to
match from a competitors standpoint. So that will be our strategy in terms of managing those
customers, but we just need to go in and weve been through the product categories in extensive
detail. We think theres very little overlap. Theyre typically a different type of products where
there is customer overlap, and then theres obviously a lot of places where theres no customer
overlap, and we can offer those customers also the additional capabilities of the combined Company.
So were actually quite comfortable with it.
We have a go-forward plan with all those customers, and I think it will be, you know, were
anticipating minimal loss. But it will go down to how well we execute. And we believe that we know
this business really well. We believe we have the management team and the strength, and together,
we think we can just be a very, very formidable force.
Steven Fox - Merrill Lynch - Analyst
Great. And then.
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Steve, I just want to clarify something Mike said there. He touched on it briefly, but the
anticipated revenue loss and associated impact is reflected in the net synergies of the $200
million after tax. So that is net of any adverse impact from any loss of the customers. So we have
included an estimate, and that is reflected in the net synergy number.
Steven Fox - Merrill Lynch - Analyst
Got it. And then, very quick question, Tom. I dont know if I missed it, but did you mention a
breakup fee?
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
I did not mention a breakup fee, but there is a customary breakup fee, which is $100 million
and theres typical, I would say, normal conditions around what would trigger that breakup fee.
Steven Fox - Merrill Lynch - Analyst
Great. Thank you.
Final Transcript
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Thank you.
The next question comes from Yuri Krapavin with Lehman Brothers. Your line is open.
Yuri Krapavin - Lehman Brothers - Analyst
Thank you. Good morning, (inaudible). You know, a couple of financial questions. First of all,
what do you expect the tax rate of the combined entity to be?
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Yes, so the Flextronics stand-alone tax rate estimate for the foreseeable future has always
been in the 7% to 10% range, and weve been running at the low end of that range. On a combined
basis, that continues to be the range, but I would expect the combined tax rate to be in the middle
of that range rather than at the low end, so I think its fair and reasonable to assume around
8.5%. Maybe well do a little bit better than that, but I think thats an appropriate number you
can think about right now.
Yuri Krapavin - Lehman Brothers - Analyst
Uh-huh. And whats the interest rate on this $2.5 billion loan that youre raising?
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Well, thats just a commitment. That is something we havent decided as to whether well draw,
so thats whats referred to as a backstop facility thats available. We will assess closer to
closing what the best opportunity is to access the capital markets and be opportunistic around all
the sources available in the debt market to finance that. So its, I would say, very premature to
assume that we will actually draw on that backstop facility. We will assess all sources of
financing in terms of capital markets, and Im talking specifically around the cap market, and
thats just one source thats available. So well assess that at closing, determine how best its
meant for the transaction.
Yuri Krapavin - Lehman Brothers - Analyst
And finally, could there be any regulatory issues with this transaction, to the best of your
knowledge?
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Well, you know, were hoping theres no issues. Certainly theres a lot of regulatory filings
that need to be made in many parts of the world, which is one of the reasons why we dont think
this will close for, it wont close until toward the end of calendar 07. So theres a lot of work
to be done, a lot of filings need to be done, but I dontwere hopeful that no issues will be
presented. We just need to go through all the formalities, and its a lot of work and a lot of
filings. But hopefully it will be no issues.
Yuri Krapavin - Lehman Brothers - Analyst
Thank you.
Final Transcript
The next question comes from Jim Suva with Citigroup. Your line is open.
Jim Suva - Citigroup - Analyst
Great. Thank you. I know you mentioned $200 million of accretion after tax. Can you give us at
least some type of relative measurement for restructuring costs? Are we talking like $500 million,
$1 billion, $2 billion? Because Im just trying to pencil in whats the true accretion to
investors, especially if youre going to be having a big bath of write-offs.
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Well, Jim, again, we havent formalized and communicated what those restructuring plans are,
and we will do that as time permits as we get closer and closer to actually formalizing those
plans. The one thing that I would say is that a restructuring charge is a one-time event where the
accretion is a recurring annuity, and the cash element of the restructuring charge, were very,
very comfortable that the cash flow synergies resulting from improved cash conversion cycles and
reductions of capital expenditures will more than pay for any cash element of the restructuring
charge. So from a cash synergy perspective, we think well be net cash flow positive from working
capital and CapEx reduction, and that will be able to pay for all of the cash part of the
restructuring charges.
Jim Suva - Citigroup - Analyst
Okay, then maybe a quick follow-up that you might be able to give a little more color on. Can
you talk a little bit about the surviving management teams post this acquisition? And also, when
you look at the competitive landscape of you guys versus Hon Hai, do you think now you can really
make a good run at them? I mean, they still are actually, when you equivalate the dollars to U.S.
dollars, theyre still quite a bit larger than your combined entity. Can you talk about the global
landscape? Is this really not really a North America place, more of a global competitive landscape?
Mike McNamara - Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
Yes. I think that pieces that Solectron gives us in terms of a competitive standpoint gives us
a much better capability to go after high-end, complex products. This is not typically the
environment that Foxconn plays in. Obviously, though, they probably will over time, and at least
50% of Foxconns business today is built around the PC industry. So theres a lot of, theres a lot
of places where we really just dont overlap with Foxconn, but as it relates to Foxconn moving up
the food chain into these kind of products, which we have not seen much of, this gives us just a
much, much stronger, much more formidable competitive position. So we think, so from that
standpoint, it helps us a lot. In terms of mostly what Foxconn is, is a little bit on the highyou
know, Win edition of PCs, but volume consumer products. It doesnt do a lot for us in terms of that
competitive space. I mean, it does a lot for us for the other spaces.
Jim Suva - Citigroup - Analyst
Okay, and then on the surviving management team?
Mike McNamara - Flextronics International Ltd. - CEO
Yes. The surviving management team willyou know, again, we havent even met all the teams.
Well be doing those activities over the next few weeks, trying to meet all the teams. There will
be some holes that well need to fill in, of course, and well look forward to Solectron, having
some of the key guys from Solectron fill in some of those holes. So we would expect an integration
activity to occur. And we dont have that plan completely formalized, but well start working on
that today, and it will take a couple of months, probably, to sort out as we work through the final
integration plan, the final footprint, the final go-forward look and feel of the Company, and then
I think we can better assess that. But for sure, Solectrons got all kinds of talented people, and
well be looking to figure out how to use those talented people in our organization, all the way up
through the ranks.
Final Transcript
Jim Suva; Great. And a last clarification question. When you say $200 million after tax, after, and
I believe the words were fully integrated or fully realized, is that like end of calendar 08?
Or actually, I guess you said, closer to 18 to 24 months. I guess that would be calendar 09. Is
that correct?
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Yes, it would be 18 to 24 months after closing, you know, whenever closing occurs, Jim.
Jim Suva - Citigroup - Analyst
Okay. Thank you, gentlemen.
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Thank you.
The next question comes from Brian White of Jefferies and Company. Your line is open.
Brian White - Jefferies & Co. - Analyst
Yes. Im just curious more on the vertical integration side of this. How quickly do you think
you can start vertically integrating some of the PCBs and enclosures? Can that occur before the
transaction closes, or when do think that this can occur?
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Yes, we thinkso first of all, we have to run these two Companies as a separate entity. The
deal is not done until the close occurs, so those kind of activities, were going to have to delay
until we really get the deal done and get the close done. And then I think the answer to your
question is it really depends on the commodity. Sometimes youre able to do things quickly. So, for
example, Multec is alreadyor Solectron is already a big customer of Multec, so we probably doI
dont know, we probably do $50 million together today, which means were on the AVL of many of the
products that Solectron is building. And hopefully, in some cases, Solectron has the ability to
move their splits around, because we are already a qualified supplier on the AVL, and maybe theres
an opportunity to just give us more business pretty quickly.
In other cases, we may have to get designed in, which really depends on the product cycles of the
products. So its kind of a, its kind of, its tough to say. But rest assured well put together a
realpart of our transition planning will be to figure out how do we get a vertical integration
team to be calm on Solectron, but well have to do most of those activities after the close.
Brian White - Jefferies & Co. - Analyst
Okay, but at least youre on their AVL? You do quite a bit of business today with them?
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Yes, the overlap with Multec.
Brian White - Jefferies & Co. - Analyst
Final Transcript
But you know, something like a Cisco Systems that does a lot of business with some of the
North American PCB fabricators, do you do any PCB business with Cisco Systems today?
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Yes, we actually do quite a bit.
Brian White - Jefferies & Co. - Analyst
Okay, thank you.
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Yes, and to be fair, for most of the Multec business, they really have the mobile phone
business, which is obviously very, very additive to the Flextronics existing mobile business, but
the other piece of it is on the high-end infrastructure and high-end telecom that it does. So
Solectron actually is a better match from a vertical integration standpoint than is Flextronics.
Brian White - Jefferies & Co. - Analyst
Okay. Thanks.
The next question comes from Alex Blanton with Ingalls and Snyder. Your line is open.
Alex Blanton - Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
A follow-up similar to that. On the balance sheet of Solectron, you mentioned that you could
get several hundred million dollars of cash from reducing the cash cycle time. Would you start,
would efforts to do that also begin before the closing?
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
So, I want to be really, really clear. Before closing, both Companies will operate
independently and separately.
Alex Blanton - Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
Well, I understand that, Tom, but youre going to have a transition meeting today, and then
the transitions going to start by the end of the day. You just said that.
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Thats
transition planning, and then (inaudible - multiple speakers).
Alex Blanton - Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
Solectron can easily do what youre recommending that they do as a separate company. Thats
what Im talking about.
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Final Transcript
Theres very clear anti-trust requirements, Alex, that we need to comply with, and we will
maintain full compliance with those requirements.
Alex Blanton - Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
I understand that.
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
And I can assure you that both Companies will be running independently, and the pre-closing
activities will be around planning and post-closing activities.
Alex Blanton - Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
Yes, but wouldnt it make sense for the people at Solectron to start working on that ahead of
time?
Paul Tufano - Solectron Corp. - EVP & Interim CEO
Alex, this is Paul. Look. Were working to improve our cash conversion cycles every day. So I
think that youve got to leave it at that. The integration teams will begin to work on how to put
these two Companies together with the greatest value. And were not going to do anything thats
going to jeopardize this transaction before the close. So, and after that, I think weve got to go
and capture the value that can be created. And I think we should leave it at that.
Alex Blanton - Ingalls and Snyder - Analyst
Okay. I think it looks good. Thanks.
Tom Smach - Flextronics International Ltd. - CFO
Thanks, Alex. So I think with that, were going to close off the conference call, and we would
like to thank everyone for joining on such a short notice, and I know its early for everyone, and
Im sure a lot of people didnt get a chance to get on. But we certainly appreciate your interest,
and you can look forward to hearing from us in the near future. Thank you.