PRESS RELEASE
Published on March 28, 2002
EXHIBIT 99.1
PRESS RELEASE
SOURCE: EMCORE CORPORATION
EMCORE ACQUIRES TECSTAR'S APPLIED SOLAR DIVISION TO EXPAND PRODUCT BASE IN
SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
COMBINATION OF EMCORE'S INDUSTRY-LEADING SOLAR CELL TECHNOLOGY AND TECSTAR'S
PROVEN FLIGHT PROCESSES WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE SATELLITE ECONOMICS
SOMERSET, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 2002-- EMCORE Corporation (NASDAQ:
EMKR - news), a leading provider of semiconductor technologies for global
communications, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of the
Applied Solar Division business of Tecstar, Inc. ("Tecstar").
The acquisition will augment EMCORE's capability to penetrate the satellite
communications sector and enable the Company to provide satellite manufacturers
with proven integrated satellite power solutions that considerably improve
satellite economics.
EMCORE will continue Tecstar's impressive flight heritage and solar component
manufacturing expertise, which dates back to 1958 when the Vanguard satellite
with Tecstar solar cells was launched. Tecstar's solar panel technology has
flown on numerous successful satellite missions, including Lockheed Martin's
Chinastar, Loral's Telstar satellite and Orbital Sciences' ORBCOMM
Constellation. Tecstar's solar cells were used to accomplish the recent Hubble
Space Telescope power upgrade. EMCORE's multi-junction solar cell technology
will be used on approximately 10 satellite launches over the next 3 years. The
Company is currently completing the process of qualifying its advanced solar
cells with Tecstar's proven solar panel processes for LEO and GEO orbits.
The combination of Tecstar's demonstrated success with well known space programs
and EMCORE's industry-leading solar cell technology will enable EMCORE to
dramatically improve satellite economics. EMCORE currently manufactures the most
efficient radiation hard solar cell in the world, with a beginning of life
efficiency of 27.5%. Satellite success and corresponding revenues depend on
power efficiency and the satellite's capacity to transmit data.
Earl Fuller, Vice President of EMCORE's PhotoVoltaic division stated, "EMCORE's
added capability will have a significant impact on satellite performance. The
synergy of EMCORE's industry-leading technology with Tecstar's proven flight
processes will result in cost-effective solar components that surpass current
technologies and offerings." Fuller also added, "The experience and industry
knowledge of Tecstar's talented employees will be a tremendous contribution to
the success of our satellite communications programs."
"EMCORE will now have the capability to provide satellite manufacturers the
unique combination of world-renowned solar cell technology and well-established
solar panel heritage. Satellite manufacturers and solar array integrators will
be able to rely on a single supply source that meets all of their satellite
power needs," added Reuben F. Richards, Jr., President and CEO of EMCORE.
Under the terms of the acquisition, which was completed by the parties on March
13, 2002, EMCORE paid approximately $20 million for Tecstar's Applied Solar
Division, with additional financing for forgiveness of a debtor-in-possession
(DIP) loan, making the total purchase consideration approximately $21 million.
In calendar 2001, Tecstar had revenues of approximately $23 million.
EMCORE Corporation offers a versatile portfolio of compound semiconductor
products for the rapidly expanding broadband and wireless communications and
solid state lighting markets. The Company's integrated solutions philosophy
embodies state of the art technology, material science expertise and a shared
vision of our customer's goals and objectives to be leaders and pioneers in the
rapidly growing world of compound semiconductors. EMCORE's solutions include:
optical components for high speed data and telecommunications; solar cells for
global satellite communications; electronic materials for high bandwidth
communications systems, such as Internet access and wireless telephones; MOCVD
tools for the growth of GaAs, AlGaAs, InP, InGaP, InGaAlP, InGaAsP, GaN, InGaN,
AlGaN, and SiC epitaxial materials used in numerous applications, including data
and telecommunications modules, cellular telephones, solar cells and high
brightness LEDs. For further information about EMCORE, visit
http://www.emcore.com.
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: difficulties encountered in
integrating Tecstar's operations, the benefits expected to be received by the
Company and its customers from the acquisition, cancellations, rescheduling or
delays in product shipments; manufacturing capacity constraints; lengthy sales
and qualification cycles; difficulties in the production process; changes in
semiconductor industry growth, increased competition, delays in developing and
commercializing new products, 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.
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CONTACT:
Corporate:
EMCORE Corporation
Michele Boudway, Somerset
Tel: +1 732-271-9090
Fax: +1 732-271-9686
E-mail: info@emcore.com
or
Press:
Richartz Fliss Clark & Pope, Denville
Glen Turvey
Tel: +1 973-627-8180
Fax: +1 973-627-8410
Email: turvey@rfcp.com
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