UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
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FEI COMPANY
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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This Schedule 14A filing consists of a transcript to an employee meeting first publicly available on
June 16, 2016 relating to the proposed acquisition of FEI Company (FEI) by Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (Parent) and Polpis Merger Sub Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (Merger Sub) pursuant to the
terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated May 26, 2016 by and among FEI, Parent and Merger Sub.
Transcript of Employee Meeting:
The following transcript was first made publicly available on June 16, 2016. Information corrected appears in brackets.
Transcript of Don Kanias Employee Meeting.
Obviously, today Im here to talk about an unexpected but exciting announcement for the company. And what Im going to try to do today is explain
what happened today, go through the announcement, going to do my introduction to Thermo Fisher Scientific for you. Well talk about the benefits of the combination.
I think whats really exciting about this as you all know, we spend a lot of time on values, and what we believe in. And I think youll see
that the two companies really share a lot about what they value, and I think thats really great.
And then Dan Shine whos the Senior Vice
President [President] of the Analytical Instruments division [Group] of Thermo Fisher is going to say a few words, and I really appreciate Dan taking the time to do that. Then well talk about whats next.
So what was announced today? So the FEIs board of directors agreed that FEI would be acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific. Its at $107.50 per
share. Total value, $4.2 billion. And at the end of the day, what is this? This is a recognition of the success of FEI, that a great company like Thermo Fisher much larger company, as youll see but a really fine, scientific
instruments company saw value, saw a strategic fit, saw a missing piece of their puzzle, and agreed to purchase the company.
We expect the final closure
of this transaction to be in early 2017, and thats subject to a variety of approvals. That includes the shareholders and certain regions of the world, like the US, China, some in the EU. And FEI will join [Thermo] Fisher Scientifics
Analytical Instruments Segment [Group].
So like us, they have different pieces of their business. But at the end of the day, whats happening here?
We have one successful company seeing another successful company that, in combination, can be a much more powerful combination.
So who is Thermo Fisher?
So this is Dons version of this, and Im sure later on as Dan and I travel around the globe to visit with you directly, youll get a much better version. But I thought Id try to explain who they are in the way we think about
things.
I think number one, you can see that they have global scale. They are a larger company. 50,000 employees in 50 countries, $17 billion in revenue,
unparalleled reach around the globe, and a huge diversity of technologies at the same time. And whats interesting is FEIs technology, the innovations that we bring are very complementary to what Thermo Fisher already has. So there is a
unique place for us in the company.
Another thing Id like to highlight, you see in the middle there that theres Thermo Fisher Scientific,
and you see Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific. These are other acquisitions that the company has done over time and maintained the brand identity of those companies.
So they value brand. And theres been a recognition by the management team at Thermo Fisher that we have a great brand. Not only do we have great
technology, not only we have great products, not only do we solve problems for customers, but we have a great brand.
And at the bottom, if you notice,
their mission. We enable customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. Sounds a lot like, we enable our customers to change the world, doesnt it? So there is this resonance in how we think about the company and its
relationship to its customers.
So who is Thermo Fisher at this level? Number one, you can see it at the top, it says, industry leading capabilities to
meet customer needs. Well, that sounds a lot like providing solutions to customers. Thats what we do. Thats how they think about things.
You
can see the analytical its $17.3 billion in revenue. Thats their pie. Analytical Instruments is 18% of that, and thats where FEI will join. And Ill give a little more detail on that division [Group] in a few seconds.
They also have a specialty diagnostics which really orients around health care and food safety, really test kit oriented kinds of things. On the upper
right, we have Life Sciences Solutions which is reagents, instruments, and consumables for that segment. And then they have a very large laboratory products and services. I dont know if many I remember my old days looking at the Fisher
catalog. A lot of the Fisher things end up in that space where they provide generic laboratory tools and equipment, as well as services.
So the
Analytical Instruments Group, heres the break out there. And you can see theres lots of similarities to FEI as a whole in terms of how it looks from a business side, the products, and the regions that we serve. This is the division
[Group] thats run by Dan Shine, and youll hear from Dan in just a few minutes.
And again, they lead their description of themselves
these are their presentations that they show to the outside world. Analytical Instruments, leading technologies to solve complex challenges. Sounds like what we do.
If we look at the business side, you can see that they have dramatic leadership in the area of chromatography and mass spectroscopy, and those are their key
technologies. Electron microscopy can fall right into that, and especially on the sciences side of the business, overall.
They do serve in their business
segments industrial and research customers. If we look at their products, FEI is 25% service. If you throw in software into that, it gets close to 30%. So we have a similar mix of instrumentation and services to customers.
And then regionally, we have also a similar mix. Strength in Asia, thats our largest region as a company.
Strength in North America and Europe, we sort of have balance between those two. Very similar patterns as we look at the globe.
Technology leadership,
this is a real focus of Thermo Fisher. Again, if we highlight mass spectroscopy here, its interesting. Its another charged particle beam technology in mass spec. You move charged particles around to understand the mass distribution in
some sample.
And if we look at on the right-hand side, they focus on accelerating innovation in material science and identification. Well, that really
resonates with our material science business and also with our semiconductor business, which is ultimately what they do there. They have a tremendous variety of technologies in this business. And I think, over time, what well start to see is
theres really great opportunities to bring these different technologies together into what we would call workflows to produce more value for customers. So it really creates an exciting optionality for the future to do more with the core
technology that FEI brings to the table.
And in terms of the global reach of Thermo Fisher, one area I think all of us have seen over time as weve
tried to grow into the emerging world, we can only do this at a pace because of our scale. But what happens when we become partners with Thermo Fisher is their scale theyre already direct in many of the major regions of the world where
we want to grow. Brazil, Latin America, India, Southeast Asia.
So we see that I think there will be some really great opportunities for us to take our
products out into these regions quickly and effectively and directly. And weve always, as youve seen, our pattern has been to acquire our distributors as weve grown. In this combination, well have a set of distribution
channel that covers the globe far more effectively than we can today in these emerging regions.
So thats our snapshot of Thermo Fisher. So why is
this a good thing? Whats the opportunity for FEI? Youll see there are some opportunities here to continue to grow the company and in fact, accelerate its growth. I mentioned those adjacent technologies earlier. And the ability to bring
those together to create more advanced solutions for customers is extremely powerful.
On the channel side, well have the ability to reach on a
global scale around the world, drive our core products, as well as those combinations, between the two. And at the end of the day, being part of a bigger company is going to create opportunities for employees.
As weve always talked in the past, why is a growth a good thing? Because it creates opportunities inside the company for people. And now that were
in a larger company, or will soon be in a larger company, there will be more opportunities both laterally and vertically for people to explore new opportunities in this larger global footprint.
So why did Thermo Fisher have an interest in FEI? As I mentioned, its a complementary technology set with a great brand and leading in the marketplace.
They want to capitalize on the growth that weve already had and help accelerate that.
Theyve had a strategy to increase their presence in material science and expand it, and that includes both
the semi side as well as the material science side, as we describe it. And clearly, theres some great strength here in leveraging up with mass spec and other technologies. Their life science footprint is quite large, so its really a
great opportunity for our life sciences business.
So from their perspective, this is a great growth opportunity. This is, within their framework, an
opportunity to grow the company faster, create more opportunity for us and our employees, and I think the positive aspects of this can be really quite powerful.
So what weve done here is weve taken directly from Thermo Fisher how they think about their mission and values. And on the right hand side, what
youve seen is something that weve shown for a long time. Whats our purpose? Enable our customers to create a better world. Thermo Fishers view, our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and
safer. That focus on the customer is central to both, and that the fact that our customers do things to make a better planet.
And if we look at their
four they describe themselves with the four I values, Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, Involvement. At FEI, we value our people, global teamwork, technology and innovation, and profitable growth. And you see theres actually as you
take the time to look at this they really one maps on to the other. Integrity maps onto our view of people and fairness.
If we look at
involvement, global teamwork, same concept. We have to work together to make things happen. Innovation, technology and innovation, its really the same core value there as well. And then intensity, ultimately, that revolves around yes, we want
our people to be successful, working together as teams, have the best technology on the planet, and that leads to profitable growth for the company which creates opportunity for everyone.
So with that, if our technology is up to it, I sure hope so. Dan Shine, you can see his picture here. And hes a bit taller than I am, so he sort of sits
up a little bit higher. Dans going to make a few comments, and I really appreciate Dan taking the time during these dynamic events for both Thermo Fisher and FEI. So Im going to turn the microphone over to him.
Great, thank you, Don. This is Dan Shine. Just wanted to share Dons enthusiasm for this transaction. Here at Thermo Fisher were incredibly excited
about the chance to come together. Weve admired FEI for a long time and for many of the reasons Don just outlined.
When you think about our focus
on innovation and trying to move science forward, clearly, thats exactly what FEIs done over many, many years. When we come together, just to demonstrate our commitment to R&D, well spend as a company over $800 million in
R&D. So clearly, its been part of our history. Its been part of our success, and it clearly maps very well to what FEI has done to be successful as well.
When we think about how weve been successful, part of its been through technology of leadership, but even more importantly is taking that
technology and helping solve the customers most difficult problems. Youve done that at FEI by having the best electron microscopes, but not just the tools, but also surrounding that with powerful software, 3D visualization, sample
preparation capabilities, really helping the customer solve very tough problems.
Very fascinating thing about the words and terminology that is used inside FEI. You might use words like, fastest
sample to data. We might use words like, fastest sample to result or turning data into knowledge. So I think very much common as far as how we look at the world and how we ultimately are successful by making our customers successful.
Ive had the chance over the past couple weeks to get to know FEI a little bit better, and Im very impressed with what Ive seen so far.
Ive been at Thermo Fisher for almost 20 years. And as Don outlined with our four I values and just what the companies do to be successful, I believe we have incredibly similar values.
So appreciate Don Don, by the way, youve done a great job outlining Thermo Fisher. I know its relatively new material to you, but Don and I
will go into more detail. Were setting up our travel schedules to go around to many of the major sites over the next couple weeks, and I look forward to sharing more information at that time about Thermo Fisher, as well as doing a more deep
question and answer session.
So with that, Ill pause. Ill turn it back over to Don and appreciate the time to say hello this morning.
Yeah, thanks, Dan. So what goes on from here? So as I mentioned earlier, there is a process that were going through right now that we expect to complete
the transaction in early 2017. And theres several approvals that have to happen in the meantime. So FEI and Thermo Fisher have an agreement that needs to be approved by our shareholders, and thats a process that will take a couple of
months or so for that to happen.
And then theres a bunch of legal things called customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals from the EU,
China, the US. So theres a process that we have to go through. I think both sides agree that this is relatively low risk, but its a process that must be pursued. And it takes time. And unfortunately, we dont control the rate at
which regulatory agencies move.
So until then, we remain two separate US public companies, obviously with a umbrella kind of relationship here
thats going to evolve over time, but it is our responsibility to run FEI as the separate entity that its always been. But as we work towards completing the transition, we need to make this a smooth transition. And well start to
work on that in the next few months in terms of thinking about how we go forward together, whats the best way to do things.
But at the end of the
day, all of us must remain focused on the ongoing FEI business and making sure that we do the right things to serve our customers. We are launching customer communications, supplier communications. Were going to continue the employee
communications.
This is just a first step. Dan and I will be doing some traveling and coming around the see everyone, but communication, communication,
communication is going to be very important here. And you have my commitment that Im going to do my best to make sure that you all understand whats going on.
So were going to use Scope as a repository for information here, so there will be some frequently asked
questions posted there and updated as often as we can. I know theres a lot of questions in your minds and some uncertainty. I understand that, and were going to do our best to make sure that we answer that with information.
And so submit your questions to the e-mail up there, and this will be on Scope, too, this presentation, questions@FEI.com. And what well do, rather than
do individual responses, Im sure there will be a lot of commonality. And what well do is well aggregate those and post the answers on Scope for everybody.
And then as Dan, and as I said earlier, were going to come around, visit all the sites, and spend some time, and give you an opportunity to learn more
about [Thermo] Fisher, and learn more about how were going to go forward and do great things together.
So with that, there are additional legalese
things here, which well let you know what you have to worry about over time. And Id just like to remind everyone that I know this is an unexpected event. Its a big event. And I believe that this is the right thing for the company,
for the employees, for all of you.
I think were going to create tremendous opportunity for you to have an opportunity to do new things, do what
youre doing, or try something completely different over time. And the growth opportunity for the core company, for FEI, is only enhanced by this activity.
Let this get absorbed. Absorb the information. Think about what questions you want to have. Were not going to do Q&A today. It gets kind of
challenging, and plus, theres a series of events today.
But well use the Scope opportunity to get your questions in. And then within the next
couple of weeks or so, Ill be there with Dan, and we can get face to face and talk more about things.
So thank you all very, very much. Remember,
this is about a recognition of the success of a company that youve built. So I thank you all for that. And with that, Im going to sign off and say goodbye. So thanks again, and well be seeing you soon. Bye bye.
***********************************************************************
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In
connection with the transaction, FEI Company (FEI) intends to file relevant materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), including a preliminary proxy statement on Schedule 14A. Promptly after filing its
definitive proxy statement with the SEC, FEI will mail the definitive proxy statement and a proxy card to each stockholder entitled to vote at the special meeting relating to the transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF FEI ARE URGED TO READ
THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION THAT FEI WILL FILE WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT
FEI AND THE TRANSACTION. The
definitive proxy statement, the preliminary proxy statement and other relevant materials in connection with the transaction (when they become available), and any other documents filed by FEI with
the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SECs website (http://www.sec.gov) or through the investor relations section of FEIs website (http://investor.fei.com).
Participants in the Solicitation
FEI and its directors,
executive officers and other members of its management and employees as well as Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (Thermo Fisher) and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from
FEIs stockholders with respect to the merger. Information about FEIs directors and executive officers and their ownership of FEIs common stock is set forth in the proxy statement for FEIs 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
filed with the SEC on March 28, 2016. Information about Thermo Fishers directors and executive officers is set forth in the proxy statement for Thermo Fishers 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the SEC on April 5,
2016. Stockholders may obtain additional information regarding the direct and indirect interests of the participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the merger, including the interests of FEIs directors and executive officers
in the merger, which may be different than those of FEIs stockholders generally, by reading the proxy statement and other relevant documents regarding the merger when they become available, which will be filed with the SEC.
Forward-Looking Statements
The following constitutes a
Safe Harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This communication contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties relating to: the need to develop new products and adapt to significant technological change; implementation of strategies for improving growth;
general economic conditions and related uncertainties; dependence on customers capital spending policies and government funding policies; the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on international operations; the effect of healthcare reform
legislation; use and protection of intellectual property; the effect of changes in governmental regulations; and the effect of laws and regulations governing government contracts, as well as the possibility that expected benefits related to the
proposed FEI transaction may not materialize as expected; the FEI transaction not being timely completed, if completed at all; prior to the completion of the transaction, FEIs business experiencing disruptions due to transaction-related
uncertainty or other factors making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, customers, licensees, other business partners or governmental entities, difficulty retaining key employees, and the parties being unable to successfully
implement integration strategies or to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies within the expected time-frames or at all. Additional important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such
forward-looking statements are set forth in Thermo Fishers Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended April 2, 2016, each of which is on file with the SEC and available in the Investors section of Thermo Fishers website under the heading SEC Filings, and in other documents Thermo Fisher files with the SEC,
and in FEIs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 3, 2016, each of which is on file
with the SEC and available in the investor relations section of FEIs website, investor.fei.com, under the heading SEC Filings, and in other documents FEI files with the SEC. While Thermo Fisher or FEI may elect to update
forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Thermo Fisher and FEI specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if estimates change and, therefore, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing either
Thermo Fishers or FEIs views as of any date subsequent to today.
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