Emerson Announces Premium, All-Cash Proposal to Acquire National Instruments for $53 Per Share
- Proposal Represents Immediate, Compelling Cash Premium of 32% Over NI’s Closing Share Price on January 12, 2023
- Offers Deal Certainty for NI Shareholders – No Financing Contingency, No Anticipated Regulatory Concerns
- Public Proposal Follows Numerous Attempts to Engage with NI in Private over Last Eight Months, Leading Up to NI’s Public Announcement of Strategic Review
- NI’s Test and Measurement Technology Fully Aligned with Emerson’s Strategy to Develop a Cohesive, Higher Growth and Higher Margin Portfolio and Advance Global Automation Focus
- Emerson to Host Conference Call to Discuss Proposal Today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time
ST. LOUIS (Jan. 17, 2023) – Emerson (NYSE: EMR) today announced that it submitted a proposal to the Board of Directors of National Instruments (“NI”) (NASDAQ: NATI) to acquire NI for $53 per share in cash at an implied enterprise value of $7.6 billion.
The proposal, which is not subject to any financing conditions, was submitted to NI on November 3, 2022, and represents an improvement over an initial $48 per share proposal submitted on May 25, 2022. Emerson has made numerous attempts to engage constructively with NI in private since May 16, 2022, as outlined in the correspondence below. Full details, including Emerson’s previous correspondence with NI, are available at www.MaximizingValueAtNI.com.
The proposal represents:
- Immediate and certain cash value for all NI shareholders;
- A 32% premium to NI’s closing share price as of January 12, 2023, the day prior to NI’s public announcement of a strategic review on January 13, 2023;
- A 45% premium to NI’s closing share price as of November 3, 2022, the day Emerson submitted its latest proposal to acquire NI;
- A 38% premium to the volume weighted average price for the last 30 trading days ending January 12, 2023; and
- A 23% premium to NI’s 52-week high intra-day share price of $43.12, as of January 12, 2023.
“Although Emerson would have preferred to reach an agreement privately, given NI’s announcement that it is undertaking a strategic review, and after refusing to work with us toward a premium cash transaction over the past eight months, we are making our interest public for the benefit of all NI shareholders,” said Lal Karsanbhai, President and Chief Executive Officer of Emerson.
“Acquiring NI is another step forward in Emerson’s journey to develop a cohesive, higher growth and higher margin portfolio and build on its global automation focus. As Emerson outlined at our recent Investor Conference, we are transforming our portfolio toward higher-growth automation markets aligned with secular macro trends, which will deliver significant growth and profitability for years to come.”
Mr. Karsanbhai continued, “We have long admired NI and believe that combining its best-in-class electronic test and measurement product and software offerings with Emerson’s industry-leading automation technology and software would enhance our ability to bring comprehensive solutions to a diverse set of end markets, accelerating growth and positioning Emerson to create significant shareholder value. We stand ready to work immediately with NI’s Board and management team to reach an agreement that would provide a compelling premium and certain cash value today for all NI shareholders.”
Combination Would Advance Emerson’s Global Automation Focus
The proposed transaction continues Emerson’s transformation into a global automation company. Benefits of the transaction include:
- Aligned with Emerson’s Portfolio Transformation Into a Cohesive, Higher Growth, and More Profitable Company: Emerson is actively transforming its portfolio to create a higher value, cohesive industrial technology portfolio serving a diversified set of end markets. With NI, Emerson would gain a strong, complementary portfolio of differentiated electronic test and measurement offerings, and a technology stack of industry-leading intelligent devices, controls and software that complements Emerson’s technology stack in its core automation markets. As outlined at Emerson’s November 29, 2022 Investor Conference, test and measurement is one of Emerson’s four priority segments.
- Further Diversification of End Markets: With favorable long-term trends and an estimated priority target TAM of $35 billion, test and measurement is a fast-growing and complementary adjacency to Emerson’s portfolio. This acquisition would enable Emerson to further expand and diversify its customer base within highly attractive end markets with strong secular trends including semiconductor, automotive and electric vehicles, and aerospace and defense.
- Significant Financial Benefits: The transaction is expected to be accretive to Emerson’s adjusted EPS in the first year, meets Emerson’s communicated returns threshold and will improve Emerson’s overall growth. NI has an attractive financial profile, with approximately 70% gross margins. NI’s business has strong positions in attractive and growing markets, creating sustainable top line growth potential. Emerson sees significant potential for profit and cash flow improvement across the NI business by applying proven operational excellence and productivity levers through Emerson’s Management System.
- Emerson’s Strong Commitment to the Transaction: Emerson believes its premium proposal will bring clear and realizable value to NI shareholders, who have faced years of share price underperformance across nearly any period. Underscoring its commitment to consummating a transaction, Emerson has purchased 2.3 million shares of NI stock and has received approval under HSR1 to increase its stake. Emerson believes that there is a path to a friendly transaction and urges NI shareholders to make their views known to NI’s management and Board. Furthermore, Emerson is prepared to nominate directors for election to NI’s Board.
1 Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976
Emerson’s Public Proposal Follows Eight Months of Delay and Lack of Engagement
Emerson’s first outreach to NI regarding a potential all-cash acquisition was on May 16, 2022, and Emerson’s initial $48 per share proposal was formalized in a letter on May 25, 2022. For eight months, NI delayed and refused to engage meaningfully with Emerson, as outlined in the correspondence below. In addition, after receiving the initial May 25, 2022 proposal from Emerson, NI not only refused to engage with Emerson – it repurchased more than 2 million shares at an average weighted price of $40.25, the largest quarterly repurchase in its history on a dollar basis, depriving its shareholders of the opportunity to realize immediate cash value through the transaction price, which is significantly above the repurchase price.
In a November 3, 2022 letter, Emerson outlined the terms of an improved all-cash proposal of $53 per share and highlighted its numerous attempts to engage with NI to that date. On November 15, 2022, NI responded to Emerson, indicating that it had created a working group of its Board to examine Emerson’s proposal in greater detail, as well as evaluate options with the assistance of advisors.
In the more than two months since, NI continued to resist engaging meaningfully with Emerson to work toward an agreement. Eight months after Emerson’s approach, NI agreed to a January 4, 2023 meeting with representatives from Emerson, which was followed by one additional conference call. During these discussions, NI shared very limited, high-level information about its business and continued to demonstrate its unwillingness to provide more detailed information, including refusing to respond to key diligence questions provided ahead of the meeting. NI then informed Emerson that this would be the extent of its engagement. In a letter dated January 11, 2023, Emerson reiterated its $53 per share proposal to acquire NI.
NI Shareholders: Stop Your Board’s Delay Tactics
Emerson is disappointed that NI chose to announce a strategic review and put in place a poison pill on January 13, 2023, rather than engaging privately and constructively. NI did not respond to Emerson’s latest letter sent on January 11 before its public announcement.
NI’s strategic review announcement comes more than two months after the NI Board purportedly formed a working group to evaluate options with its advisors – with no results.
NI shareholders should understand that for eight months they have been deprived of the opportunity to realize certain cash value at a significant premium. Emerson urges NI shareholders to engage with their Board to ensure this public strategic review process is not merely another delay tactic.
Emerson has organized the resources to work expeditiously toward a transaction with NI, has shared a merger agreement with NI, and is prepared to transact promptly. Emerson has performed due diligence with publicly available information and would have only limited and specific confirmatory due diligence requirements. Additionally, Emerson does not anticipate any significant regulatory risks or delays given the complementary nature of the two businesses. Finally, the Emerson proposal is not subject to any financing conditions.
Emerson feels compelled to disclose the contents of all its correspondence with NI, beginning in May 2022, to make public its consistent and sustained track record of attempted engagement with NI, without any meaningful or constructive response. This correspondence is below and is also available at www.MaximizingValueAtNI.com.
Investor Conference Call and Presentation
Today, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Central Time / 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, Emerson management will discuss the proposal during an investor conference call. Participants can access a live webcast available at Emerson.com/investors at the time of the call. A replay of the call will be available for 90 days on the company website and at www.MaximizingValueAtNI.com. Conference call slides will be posted in advance of the call on the company website and at www.MaximizingValueAtNI.com.
Advisors
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Centerview Partners LLC are serving as financial advisors to Emerson and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and Sidley Austin LLP are serving as legal advisors.
Emerson’s Correspondence with NI
The complete proposal document are on the attached downloadable file.
About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE: EMR) is a global technology and software company providing innovative solutions for the world’s essential industries. Through its leading automation portfolio, including its majority stake in AspenTech, Emerson helps hybrid, process and discrete manufacturers optimize operations, protect personnel, reduce emissions and achieve their sustainability goals. For more information, visit Emerson.com.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This communication relates to a proposal which Emerson Electric Co. (“Emerson”) has made for a business combination transaction with the Company (the “Proposed Transaction”). It is anticipated that Emerson, together with the participants named therein, will file a proxy statement and accompanying WHITE proxy card with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to be used to solicit votes for the election of a slate of director nominees identified and nominated by Emerson (the “Nominees”) at the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders of National Instruments Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and may file other proxy statements and/or other documents.
This communication does not constitute an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. This communication is not a substitute for any proxy statement or other documents Emerson may file with the SEC in connection with the election of the Nominees or the Proposed Transaction.
BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY ANY PROXY STATEMENT(S) AND/OR OTHER DOCUMENTS IF AND WHEN THEY ARE FILED BY EMERSON, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES AND/OR THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION, BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION, AND RELATED MATTERS. Any definitive proxy statement(s) (including any WHITE proxy card enclosed with any definitive proxy statement(s) or supplements filed and/or disseminated by Emerson) (if and when available) will be mailed or otherwise made available to stockholders of the Company. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of these documents filed with the SEC if and when available without charge through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or, in the case of documents filed by Emerson, by contacting the investor relations department of Emerson:
Emerson
8000 West Florissant Avenue, P.O. Box 4100
St. Louis, MO
www.emerson.com/en-us/investors
Investor Relations:
Colleen Mettler, Vice President
(314) 553-2197
investor.relations@emerson.com
Innisfree M&A Incorporated
Scott Winter / Jonathan Salzberger
(212) 750-5833
Participants in the Solicitation
Emerson and the Nominees are anticipated to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the election of the Nominees as directors of the Company.
Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the election of the Nominees as directors of the Company and/or the Proposed Transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests in such matters, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in any proxy statement(s) and other relevant materials related to such matters if and when they are filed with the SEC.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking” statements as that term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than historical facts, are forward-looking statements, including: statements regarding the expected timing and structure of the proposed transaction; the ability of the parties to negotiate, enter into and complete the proposed transaction; the expected benefits of the proposed transaction, such as improved operations, enhanced revenues and cash flow, synergies, growth potential, market profile, business plans, expanded portfolio and financial strength; the competitive ability and position of Emerson following completion of the proposed transaction; legal, economic and regulatory conditions; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements concern future circumstances and results and other statements that are not historical facts and are sometimes identified by the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “overestimate,” “underestimate,” “believe,” “plan,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “predict,” “continue,” “target” or other similar words or expressions or negatives of these words, but not all forward-looking statements include such identifying words. Forward-looking statements are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. We can give no assurance that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved and therefore, actual results may differ materially from any plans, estimates or expectations in such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others: (1) the outcome of any discussions between Emerson and the Company with respect to the proposed transaction, including the possibility that the parties will not agree to pursue a business combination transaction or that the terms of any such transaction will be materially different from those described herein, (2) that one or more closing conditions to the proposed transaction, including certain regulatory approvals, may not be satisfied or waived, on a timely basis or otherwise, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the proposed transaction, may require conditions, limitations or restrictions in connection with such approvals or that any required approval by the stockholders of the Company may not be obtained; (3) the risk that the proposed transaction may not be completed in the time frame expected, or at all; (4) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction; (5) uncertainty of the expected financial performance of Emerson following completion of the proposed transaction; (6) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, including as a result of delay in completing the proposed transaction or integrating the business of the Company with the business of Emerson; (7) the ability of Emerson to implement its business strategy; (8) difficulties and delays in achieving revenue and cost synergies; (9) inability to retain and hire key personnel; (10) the occurrence of any event that could give rise to termination of the proposed transaction; (11) potential litigation in connection with the proposed transaction or other settlements or investigations that may affect the timing or occurrence of the contemplated transaction or result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; (12) evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; (13) changes in economic, financial, political and regulatory conditions, in the United States and elsewhere, and other factors that contribute to uncertainty and volatility, natural and man-made disasters, civil unrest, pandemics (e.g., the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (the “COVID-19 pandemic”)), geopolitical uncertainty, and conditions that may result from legislative, regulatory, trade and policy changes associated with the current or subsequent U.S. administration; (14) the ability of Emerson and the Company to successfully recover from a disaster or other business continuity problem due to a hurricane, flood, earthquake, terrorist attack, war, pandemic, security breach, cyber-attack, power loss, telecommunications failure or other natural or man-made event, including the ability to function remotely during longterm disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic; (15) the impact of public health crises, such as pandemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic) and epidemics and any related company or governmental policies and actions to protect the health and safety of individuals or governmental policies or actions to maintain the functioning of national or global economies and markets, including any quarantine, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down or similar actions and policies; (16) actions by third parties, including government agencies; (17) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the transaction; (18) the risk that disruptions from the proposed transaction will harm Emerson’s and the Company’s business, including current plans and operations; (19) certain restrictions during the pendency of the acquisition that may impact Emerson’s or the Company’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; (20) the ability to meet expectations regarding the accounting and tax treatments of the proposed transaction; and (21) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Emerson’s and the Company’s reports filed with the SEC, including Emerson’s and the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, periodic quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, periodic current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the SEC. These risks, as well as other risks associated with the proposed transaction, will be more fully discussed in any proxy statement(s) and other relevant materials related to the proposed transaction if and when they are filed with the SEC. While the list of factors presented here is, and the list of factors to be presented in any such proxy statement(s) or materials will be, considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication. Emerson undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or development, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements.
Contacts
For Emerson:
Investors: Colleen Mettler, 314-553-2197
Media: Jim Golden / Joseph Sala / Tanner Kaufman
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher, 212-355-4449
