Fortissimo Capital
Acquires 39% of Telrad Networks
Rosh Ha’ayin, Israel 28th September 2004
Koor Industries Ltd.
(NYSE: KOR), (“Koor”), a leading Israeli investment holding company,
announced today that it has signed an agreement to sell 39% of its
holdings in its wholly owned subsidiary, Telrad Networks ("Telrad",
the “Company”) for $21 million to Fortissimo Capital ("Fortissimo"),
a private equity fund investing in public and private technology
companies. The transaction is expected to close in two stages, with
a first closing in the fourth quarter of 2004, and a second closing
in the first half of 2005. Closing is subject to certain third party
approvals. Following the transaction, Koor will extend a $21 million
note to Telrad. As part of the transaction Koor will indemnify
Telrad, as is customary in such transactions, against certain events
that might occur during the next few years. Certain of these
indemnifications have been limited to the amount of the note. Koor
believes that the transaction itself should not have a material
effect on Koor’s financial results. Following the transaction,
Telrad’s Board of Directors will be comprised of 7 Directors – 3
nominated by Koor Industries, 3 nominated by Fortissimo Capital, and
one director jointly nominated by both parties. Yuval Cohen, founder
and Managing Partner of Fortissimo will assume the chairmanship of
the Board of Directors of Telrad.
As a result of the decline in Telrad`s revenues, and its expected
loss in the third quarter, Telrad`s management is considering an
impairment in its deferred tax assets. This impairment charge,
together with the expected operating loss for the quarter, will
result in Telrad recording a loss of approximately $14 million in
the third quarter of 2004.
Jonathan Kolber, Chief Executive Officer of Koor Industries and
Chairman of Telrad said: “We are excited that Fortissimo Capital,
under Yuval Cohen’s leadership, has chosen to make its flagship
investment in Telrad Networks. Yuval and his team are highly
respected in the industry and we look forward to working together to
help build Telrad into a leading telecom solutions provider”.
Mr. Kolber added: "I am certain that the significant new investment
in Telrad will provide numerous new opportunities for the company to
undertake additional R&D projects and seek acquisitions. The
chemistry between the Koor and Fortissimo teams is excellent and we
have encouraged Fortissimo to achieve joint control of Telrad,
together with Koor. We are enthusiastically looking forward to a
comprehensive partnership".
Yuval Cohen, Founder and Managing Partner, Fortissimo Capital
stated: “Telrad has tremendous domain knowledge and expertise with
carrier-grade telecommunication equipment and it can serve as an
excellent platform upon which to build a leading telecommunication
equipment provider through organic and inorganic growth. We are
delighted to join forces with Koor as we work together to enhance
the value of the company.”
About Koor Industries
Koor Industries is a leading investment holding company, focusing on
high-growth, internationally-oriented, Israeli companies. Koor
actively invests in telecommunications through its holdings in ECI
Telecom (NASDAQ: ECIL), Telrad Networks and ECTel (NASDAQ: ECTX); in
agrochemicals through Makhteshim Agan Industries (TASE: MAIN); in
defense electronics through the Elisra Defense Group; and in
promising start-ups through Koor Corporate Venture Capital. Koor’s
ADSs (American Depositary Shares) are traded on the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE: KOR) and Koor’s ordinary shares are traded on the
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE: KOR).
About Fortissimo Capital
Fortissimo Capital is a private equity fund investing in public and
private technology companies at inflection points, contributing
expertise with the substantial experience of its principals and its
network of resources. Fortissimo is backed by 15 financial
institutions including insurance companies, banks and pension funds.
About Telrad Networks
Telrad Networks is a provider of cutting-edge telecommunications
solutions compliant with the highest standards in a wide range of
areas. For the past 25 years the company has developed products for
Nortel Networks and other leading telecom equipment manufacturers.
Telrad Networks also markets and sells telecom solutions products to
emerging markets.
For further information, please contact:
Yuval Yanai - Senior Vice President and CFO, Koor Industries - Tel.
+9723 9008 310
Fiona Darmon – Director of Corporate Comms, Koor Industries - Tel.
+9723 9008 417
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