JDSU To Separate Into 2 Public Companies

JDSU

Highlights: -- Enables greater management agility and focus as the pace of technology change accelerates. -- Two independent and publicly traded companies expected to enhance value by offering shareholders clear investment opportunities in distinct growth markets. -- An industry-leading optical components and commercial lasers company, positioned for growth opportunities, including the expansion of cloud networks and high-capacity data centers. -- A network and service enablement company focused on the industry's transition to software-defined networks (SDN) and the need for increased network, service and application visibility. JDSU's current optical security business (OSP) will operate as a separate business segment inside this company. -- Expected combined expense reduction of approximately $50 million. -- Expected to be completed through a tax-free spinoff structure with separate corporate brand identities for each business to be announced at a later date. *T Expect to complete transaction by the third calendar quarter of 2015. JDSU today announced its Board of Directors has unanimously approved a plan to separate JDSU into two publicly traded companies: -- An optical components and commercial lasers company ("CCOP") consisting of JDSU's current Communications and Commercial Optical Products segment. The CCOP company, with its long-standing reputation for optical innovation and quality, serves a $7.4 billion optical communications market expected to grow at a compounded rate of 11 percent over the next four years(i). It also addresses an approximate $2.5 billion commercial lasers market, growing at a forecasted 7 percent annually(ii). -- A network and service enablement company ("NSE") consisting of JDSU's current Network Enablement, Service Enablement and Optical Security and Performance Products (OSP) segments. The stand-alone NSE company will be a leader in its core businesses, addressing an approximate $7 billion network and service enablement market expected to grow at 6-8 percent annually(iii). The NSE company will primarily focus its investments in higher growth markets, particularly software supporting virtualized and software-defined networks. The optical security business addresses an approximate $1.1 billion market growing at an expected 6-8 percent(iv). The separation is expected to occur through a tax-free pro rata spinoff of CCOP to JDSU shareholders, though the structure is subject to change based upon various tax and regulatory factors. "Over the past five years, JDSU has invested heavily in innovation that is well aligned with the industry's best growth opportunities, including cloud networking, data center expansion and software-defined networks," said Tom Waechter, JDSU president and CEO. "These opportunities extend beyond the traditional telecom ecosystem and now include web services, over-the-top, enterprise and other customers. We believe two fundamentally focused companies best position us to stay ahead of the accelerating pace of technology change and to compete even more effectively across the unique markets we serve today." Waechter added, "Now is the time to make this transition, giving these businesses the opportunity to maximize their success while providing shareholders with distinct investment opportunities in two growth markets." JDSU believes the separation will: -- Allow CCOP to devote enhanced focus to its leading position in telecom, expand its position in the high-growth datacom market, and grow its commercial lasers and 3-D sensing businesses. -- Enable NSE to continue its leadership in network enablement, while continuing to transition to a more software-centric company aligned with the industry's rapid shift to software defined networks. -- Create clearer investment profiles for both companies. -- Enhance shareholder value. CCOP Company The stand-alone CCOP will be a global leader in optical components and subsystems for the telecommunications market, with growth opportunities in data communications, driven by cloud networking and data center build outs. The company will continue to focus on growing its commercial lasers and 3-D sensing applications. CCOP's FY14 revenues were $794.1 million. Alan Lowe, CCOP's president since 2008 and executive vice president of JDSU, is the CEO-designate of the CCOP stand-alone company. "The board and I believe Alan is the right executive to lead this new company," said Waechter. "He has built a strong team and has a solid track record of execution during his seven years at JDSU. Alan has a deep understanding of and familiarity with CCOP's markets and customers. We are confident he will lead this new company to even greater success." NSE Company The stand-alone NSE will be a leading provider of instruments, software and services for the fast, cost-effective deployment and operation of next generation networks. Driven by the proliferation of connected devices and applications running on the network, and the need for increased network visibility, NSE's Service Enablement business is focused on software solutions that support the industry's transition to SDN. SDN is expected to influence 30-40 percent of all network spending over the next six years(v). Included in this new company will be JDSU's OSP business, a leader in anti-counterfeiting solutions for currency authentication and high-value optical components and instruments for security, safety, electronics and other applications. The combined revenue for NSE and OSP in FY14 was $949.5 million. Tom Waechter, JDSU's president and CEO, will continue in this role with the stand-alone NSE company. Transaction Details JDSU shareholders will receive a pro rata distribution of shares in the stand-alone CCOP company via a tax-free spinoff. The separation of the two companies and the distribution of the new CCOP company's shares to JDSU shareholders is expected to be completed in the third calendar quarter of 2015. The separation is subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions, including, among others, obtaining final approval from the JDSU Board of Directors, receipt of tax opinions, the effectiveness of an applicable registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission and satisfaction of foreign regulatory requirements. During the periods preceding the separation, JDSU expects to incur significant one-time charges related to the separation and to achieving the expense savings referenced in the highlights. Cash expenditures to obtain the cost savings are expected to be between $75 and $100 million. Centerview Partners and Goldman, Sachs & Co. are serving as advisors to the Company for this transaction. Business Outlook For the fiscal first quarter of 2015 ending September 27, 2014, the Company is reaffirming guidance of non-GAAP net revenue of $405 to $425 million and non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.08 to $0.12. Analyst Day/Webcast The Company will discuss this announcement and other related matters during its previously scheduled Analyst Day at Noon Eastern Time, 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on September 11, 2014 in a live webcast, which will also be archived for replay on the Company's website at www.jdsu.com/investors. This press release is being furnished in a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and will be available at www.sec.gov.