EMCORE PRESS RELEASE - GELCORE SALE
Published on September 7, 2006
EXHIBIT
99.1
Press
Release
EMCORE
Corporation Sells its 49% Interest in GELcore to GE for $100
million
SOMERSET,
New Jersey, August 31, 2006 - EMCORE Corporation (NASDAQ: EMKR), a leading
provider of compound semiconductor-based components and subsystems for the
broadband, fiber optic, satellite, and solar power markets, today announced
that
it has sold its 49% membership interest in GELcore, LLC to the Lighting
operations of GE Consumer & Industrial, a division of General Electric (GE)
for $100 million in cash. GE owned a 51% membership interest in GELcore prior
to
acquiring the remaining 49% from EMCORE.
GE
and
EMCORE formed GELcore, a joint venture to address the solid-state lighting
market with high brightness light emitting diode-based (HB-LED) lighting systems
in 1999. GELcore's products include traffic lights, channel letters, and other
signage and display products that incorporate HB-LEDs. EMCORE has accounted
for
its investment in GELcore using the equity method of accounting and its
cumulative share of losses since GELcore's formation through June 30, 2006
total
approximately $16.1 million. EMCORE
expects to realize a gain on the sale of GELcore in the range of $85-$90
million.
In
2005,
GELcore recorded a net loss of $0.8 million, a decrease of $3.3 million from
the
$2.5 million net income recorded in 2004. For the six months ended June 30,
2006, GELcore recorded a net loss of $1.3 million. EMCORE and GE have
collaborated over the past seven years as GELcore has grown to become a leading
solid state lighting company. EMCORE, through their material science expertise
and funding by GELcore, has contributed to the GELcore IP portfolio.
“The
sale
of GELcore has come at an opportune time for EMCORE as we enter the terrestrial
solar market which represents an enormous end market for EMCORE” stated Reuben
F. Richards, Jr., Chief Executive Officer. He added, “This sale provides us with
one of the strongest balance sheets in our industry and positions us extremely
well to advance our industry leading technology in both fiber optics and
photovoltaics.”
Lazard
acted as financial advisor to EMCORE in the transaction.
EMCORE
will discuss the sale in a conference call on Wednesday, September 6, 2006,
at
12:00 noon ET. To participate in the call, U.S. callers should dial (toll free)
866-710-0179 and international callers should dial 334-323-9871. The access
code
for the call is 17742. A replay of the call will be available beginning
September 6, 2006 at 2::00 p.m. ET until September 13, 2006 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The replay call-in number for U.S. callers is 877-656-8905, for international
callers it is 334-323-9859, and the access code is 72905937. The call also
will
be web cast via the Company's web site at http://www.emcore.com. Please go
to
the site beforehand to download any necessary software.
About
EMCORE
EMCORE
Corporation offers a broad portfolio of compound semiconductor-based products
for the broadband, fiber optic, satellite and solar power markets. EMCORE’s
Fiber Optic segment offers optical components, subsystems and systems for high
speed data and telecommunications networks, cable television (CATV) and
fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP). EMCORE’s Photovoltaic segment provides products
for both satellite and terrestrial applications. For satellite applications,
EMCORE offers high efficiency Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) solar cells, Covered
Interconnect Cells (CICs) and panels. For terrestrial applications, EMCORE
is
adapting its high-efficiency GaAs solar cells for use in solar concentrator
systems. For further information about EMCORE, visit
http://www.emcore.com.
Disclaimer
The
information provided herein may include forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 relating to future events that involve risks
and
uncertainties. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans,"
"believes," and "estimates," and variations of these words and similar
expressions, identify these forward-looking statements. Actual operating results
may differ materially from such forward-looking statements and are subject
to
certain risks, including risks arising from: the loss of potential future gains
from the investment in GELcore; difficulties in developing and commercializing
solar concentrator systems; expenses and charges related to closing the
remaining operations in New Jersey and reducing corporate overhead; and other
factors described in EMCORE's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are
made as of the date hereof and EMCORE does not assume any obligation to update
the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those projected
in
the forward-looking statements.
Contacts:
EMCORE
Corporation
Tom
Werthan - Chief Financial Officer
(732)
271-9090
info@emcore.com
TTC
Group
Victor
Allgeier
(646)
290-6400
info@ttcominc.com