Greatbatch's Board of Directors Declares Spin-off Dividend of the Nuvectra Shares

FRISCO, Texas, Feb. 24, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greatbatch, Inc. GB today announced that its Board of Directors has approved the spin-off of QiG Group, LLC, which will convert into Nuvectra Corporation prior to the completion of the spin-off ("Nuvectra"), in the form of a tax-free pro rata dividend involving the distribution of all of the outstanding shares of Nuvectra common stock to holders of Greatbatch common stock. Under the approved terms of the spin-off:

• Nuvectra common stock will be distributed on March 14, 2016 to Greatbatch stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 7, 2016, the record date for the spin-off.
• Greatbatch stockholders will receive one share of Nuvectra common stock for every three shares of Greatbatch common stock held.

Nuvectra is a neuromodulation medical device company initially focused on the development and commercialization of a neurostimulation technology platform for treatment of various disorders through stimulation of tissues associated with the nervous system. The Algovita spinal cord stimulation system is the first application of this neurostimulation technology platform and has received FDA approval for the treatment of chronic pain of the trunk and limbs.

"This announcement marks an important milestone in Greatbatch's strategy of developing complete active implantable medical device systems for our customers," said Thomas J. Hook, president and CEO of Greatbatch. "This spin-off reaffirms Greatbatch's commitment to ensuring its strategic priorities remain aligned with stockholders' best interests while continuing to create enhanced value for customers, healthcare providers and other key stakeholders."

Immediately after the spin-off is completed, Nuvectra will be an independent publicly traded company and neither company will have any ownership interest in the other. Nuvectra's common stock will be listed on the Nasdaq Global Market ("NASDAQ") under the symbol "NVTR."  

Distribution of Nuvectra Shares to Greatbatch Stockholders

Greatbatch stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 7, 2016 will be entitled to receive one share of Nuvectra common stock for every three shares of Greatbatch common stock held.

No action is required by Greatbatch stockholders to receive the shares of Nuvectra common stock in the spin-off. Greatbatch stockholders will not be required to pay anything for the Nuvectra shares or to surrender any shares of Greatbatch stock. The distribution will be made in book-entry form only.

Fractional shares of Nuvectra common stock will not be distributed in the spin-off. Any fractional shares of Nuvectra common stock that would otherwise be distributed to Greatbatch stockholders will be aggregated and sold in the public market by the distribution agent. The aggregate net proceeds of these sales will be distributed ratably as cash payments to the stockholders who would otherwise have received fractional shares. These cash payments will be taxable to those stockholders.

Greatbatch expects that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the distribution of the Nuvectra common stock will be tax-free to Greatbatch and to its stockholders, except for any cash received in lieu of fractional shares. Stockholders should consult their tax advisors with respect to U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of the spin-off of Nuvectra.

Trading of Greatbatch and Nuvectra Common Stock

There is currently no market for Nuvectra common stock. Nuvectra expects its common stock to begin trading on a "when-issued" basis shortly before the March 7, 2016 record date under the ticker "NVTRV." "When-issued" trading of Nuvectra common stock will continue until the distribution occurs. On March 14, 2016, Nuvectra common stock will begin "regular-way" trading on NASDAQ under the symbol "NVTR."

Beginning on or around the record date and continuing up to the distribution date, it is anticipated that there will be two ways to trade Greatbatch common stock – either with or without the right to receive shares of Nuvectra common stock in the spin-off distribution. Stockholders who sell their shares of Greatbatch common stock in the "regular-way" market (that is, the normal trading market on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "GB") after the record date and prior to the distribution date will be selling their right to receive shares of Nuvectra common stock in connection with the spin-off.  If an "ex-distribution" market is established, stockholders may also trade their shares of Greatbatch common stock ex-distribution (that is, without the right to receive the shares of Nuvectra common stock in the distribution) prior to the distribution date.

Investors are encouraged to consult with their financial advisors regarding the specific implications of buying or selling Greatbatch or Nuvectra common stock prior to the completion of the spin-off.

The completion of the spin-off is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions, including Nuvectra's Registration Statement on Form 10 being declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Nuvectra's common stock being accepted for listing on NASDAQ, the receipt of an opinion from Greatbatch's third party tax advisor confirming the tax-free nature of the spin-off transaction, and other conditions described in Nuvectra's Registration Statement on Form 10.  Greatbatch expects that all conditions to the spin-off will be satisfied by the distribution date.

The Registration Statement on Form 10 includes material information regarding the spin-off and Nuvectra's business following the spin-off.

Nuvectra's management team plans to host investor conferences beginning on March 2, 2016 and concluding the following week to present the company's management team, strategy, competitive positioning and outlook.

Piper Jaffray & Co. is acting as financial advisor and Hodgson Russ LLP is acting as legal counsel to Greatbatch for the spin-off.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements relating to future actions and results, which are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of words like "expects," "will," "believes," "intends," "estimates," or other words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on assumptions and expectations of future events that may not be realized. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, the fact that the spin-off distribution may not be completed as anticipated or at all and that delays or difficulties in completing the spin-off may be experienced; market conditions in general and those applicable to the spin-off; factors affecting the expected timeline for completing the spin-off; the effect the spin-off may have on Greatbatch's stock price; the risk that the anticipated benefits from the spin-off may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; and the risk that the conditions precedent for the completion of the spin-off are not satisfied.  Greatbatch refers you to the documents that it files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, such as its reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, as well as the "Risk Factors" section of Nuvectra's Registration Statement on Form 10, for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. Except as required by applicable law, neither Greatbatch nor Nuvectra undertakes any duty to update any such forward-looking statements as a result of future developments or new information.

About Greatbatch, Inc.

Greatbatch, Inc. GB is one of the largest medical device outsource (MDO) manufacturers in the world serving the cardiac, neuromodulation, orthopaedics, vascular, advanced surgical and portable medical markets. The company provides innovative, high quality medical technologies that enhance the lives of patients worldwide. In addition, it develops batteries for high-end niche applications in energy, military, and environmental markets. The company's brands include Greatbatch Medical, Lake Region Medical and Electrochem. Additional information is available at www.greatbatch.com.

In October 2015, Greatbatch, Inc. completed its acquisition of Lake Region Medical, with the combined company expected to be renamed Integer Holdings Corporation later this year following stockholder approval.