The following two documents dated back to 2003 contain some historical facts on UMS
http://www.nracapital.com/factsheet/IR_n...netAnn.pdf
http://www1.lts.com.sg/research%20report...D001895C7/$file/norelco.pdf?openElement
Key takeaways - with my thoughts in brackets. .
1) UMS Semiconductor Pte Ltd, a privately owned company was “acquired by Norelco Cetreline Holdings, a SGX listed company in which Singtel ex-Chairman, Koh Boon Hwee, was a board member and had a stake in. ( This was how UMS got listed and it is interesting to note that Koh Boon Hwee had a role in it)
2) Applied Materials was already a key customer of UMS Semiconductor Pte Ltd back in 2002. (This was much earlier than I thought)
3) In 2002, Applied Material was granted a call option by the shareholders of UMS Semiconductor Pte Ltd to take a stake in UMS – this call option was substituted with a “Replacement Option” in 2003 under the Norelco- UMS “M&A” deal. (This was how Applied Materials got its 6% stake in UMS)
4) RATIONALE for Norelco in acquiring UMS Semiconductor Pte Ltd : “In the opinion of the Company, the Acquisition will significantly accelerate the development of its technical capabilities and its penetration of the front-end semiconductor equipment industry. In addition, the Company believes that the Acquisition would also significantly increase shareholder value as it moves up the value chain, raising barriers to entry and bringing with it top-tier volume customers. This Acquisition would also speed up considerably the Company's effort in penetrating the front-end semiconductor equipment space - in particular,
UMS has a distinct expertise in flexible manufacturing systems, cleanroom assembly and a technological edge in terms of high-end special processes which were co-developed with its major customers. The Company believes………………………………” (UMS was deemed by Norelco to have “
distinct expertise” in flexible manufacturing systems, cleanroom assembly and a technological edge in terms of high-end special processes which were
“co-developed” with its major customers .- the word “
co-developed” could possibly implies
sharing of intellectual property ownership. If this was the case, it would be a lot harder for Applied Materials to terminate its relationship with UMS, if those intellectual property "co-developed and co-owned" is still of significant value to Applied Materials).
That was about 10 years ago. How robust is the UMS/Applied Materials partnership today after 10 long years? I wish I know the answer !
On separate notes:
Applied Materials had announced a 11% increase in its quarterly cash dividend payout.
"
This dividend increase reflects the confidence we have in our ability to deliver strong cash flow performance and our ongoing commitment to return capital to our stockholders," said Mike Splinter, chairman and chief executive officer.”
http://www.appliedmaterials.com/newsroom...h-dividend
Also,
Applied Materials has recently been named by Ethisphere Institute, the leading business ethics think-tank, as one of the 2013 World's Most Ethical Companies.
http://www.appliedmaterials.com/newsroom...anies-list
(Vested)