Empresas y finanzas

Aeroflex Announces Agreement to Be Acquired by General Atlantic and Francisco Partners



    Aeroflex Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARXX) announced today that it has
    entered into an agreement to be acquired by General Atlantic and
    Francisco Partners in a transaction valued at approximately $1.0
    billion. Aeroflex stockholders would receive $13.50 per share in cash,
    which represents a 22.6% premium over the closing share price on March
    2, 2007.

    "Following an extensive review of the proposed transaction, our
    Board unanimously concluded that the offer from General Atlantic and
    Francisco Partners is in the best interests of Aeroflex's
    stockholders, employees and customers," commented Len Borow,
    Aeroflex's President and Chief Operating Officer. "We believe that the
    transaction price provides stockholders with significant value.
    Furthermore, the long-term capital, expertise and resources that
    General Atlantic and Francisco Partners bring will enhance the
    successful implementation of our strategic plans and continued support
    of our customers' objectives," Mr. Borow added.

    "We are pleased to be partnering with Aeroflex, a global provider
    of high technology test, measurement and microelectronic products with
    deep expertise in dynamic, complex industries," said Philip Trahanas,
    Managing Director at General Atlantic. "We look forward to working
    closely with the Aeroflex management team to build on the Company's
    leadership position and successful track record of delivering on the
    evolving demands of its diverse customer base."

    "We are excited about the opportunity to work with Aeroflex,"
    commented Dipanjan Deb, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Francisco
    Partners. "Aeroflex is an industry leader with a strong platform and a
    track record of delivering innovative products and quality service to
    its customers. We are committed to working with the Company and the
    management team to help further its vision and execute on the
    long-term strategy for the business."

    The agreement contains a provision under which Aeroflex may
    solicit alternative proposals from third parties through April 18,
    2007. If the Company accepts a superior proposal, a break-up fee would
    be payable by the Company. There can be no assurance that any superior
    proposal will be forthcoming. Aeroflex does not expect to disclose
    developments with respect to this solicitation process unless and
    until its Board of Directors has made a decision.

    The closing of the transaction is subject to the approval of the
    Aeroflex stockholders and other customary conditions.

    Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. served as Aeroflex's financial advisor in
    connection with the transaction. Banc of America Securities LLC was
    also retained to provide certain additional financial advisory
    services to the Aeroflex Board in connection with the transaction.
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP served as the Company's legal
    counsel.

    JP Morgan and Lehman Brothers Inc. are providing financing for the
    transaction. JP Morgan, Lehman Brothers Inc. and Deutsche Bank
    Securities Inc. acted as financial advisors for General Atlantic and
    Francisco Partners. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
    served as legal counsel to General Atlantic and Francisco Partners.

    Aeroflex will file a Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and
    Exchange Commission (the "SEC") with further details concerning this
    transaction.

    About Aeroflex

    Aeroflex Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARXX) is a global provider of high
    technology solutions to the aerospace, defense, cellular and broadband
    communications markets. The Company's diverse technologies allow it to
    design, develop, manufacture and market a broad range of test,
    measurement and microelectronic products. The Company's common stock
    trades on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol ARXX and
    is included in the S&P SmallCap 600 index. Additional information
    concerning Aeroflex Incorporated can be found on the Company's Web
    site: www.aeroflex.com .

    About General Atlantic

    General Atlantic LLC is a leading global private equity firm
    providing capital for growth companies driven by information
    technology or intellectual property. The firm was founded in 1980 and
    has approximately $12 billion of capital under management. General
    Atlantic has invested in over 160 companies, with current holdings in
    50 portfolio companies of which about one-half are based outside the
    United States. The firm is distinguished within the investment
    community by its global strategy and worldwide presence, its
    commitment to provide sustained value-added assistance for its
    portfolio companies and its long-term approach. General Atlantic has
    over 70 global investment professionals among its 150 employees
    worldwide with offices in Greenwich, New York, Palo Alto, London,
    Dusseldorf, Hong Kong and Mumbai.

    General Atlantic's notable recent investments include Lenovo, NYSE
    Group, NYMEX, Computershare, Genpact, Emdeon Business Services,
    Digital China, Net1 PowerDsine, SRA International, Amax, Vimicro, and
    Xchanging. For further information and a listing of GA's public and
    private portfolio companies, see www.generalatlantic.com.

    About Francisco Partners

    With approximately $5 billion of committed capital, Francisco
    Partners is one of the world's largest technology-focused private
    equity funds. The firm was founded to pursue structured investments in
    technology companies and targets investments in private companies,
    public companies, and divisions of public companies, with transaction
    values ranging from $30 million to $2.0 billion. The principals of
    Francisco Partners have a proven track record, having invested in more
    than 50 technology companies.

    Successful past semiconductor and hardware investments executed by
    the principals of Francisco Partners include, among others, AMI
    Semiconductor, Alcatel's Mixed Signal Business, SMART Modular, Ultra
    Clean Technology, ON Semiconductor, GlobeSpan, C-MAC Microtechnology,
    and MagnaChip Semiconductor. For additional information, visit
    www.franciscopartners.com.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This release contains forward-looking statements, which are
    subject to various risks and uncertainties. Discussion of risks and
    uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
    from management's current projections, forecasts, estimates and
    expectations is contained in the Aeroflex's filings with the SEC.
    Specifically, Aeroflex makes reference to the section entitled "Risk
    Factors" in its annual and quarterly reports. In addition to the risks
    and uncertainties set forth in Aeroflex's SEC reports or periodic
    reports, the proposed transactions described in this release could be
    affected by, among other things, the occurrence of any event, change
    or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the
    merger agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be
    instituted against Aeroflex and others related to the merger
    agreement; failure to obtain stockholder approval or any other failure
    to satisfy other conditions required to complete the merger, including
    required regulatory approvals; risks that the proposed transaction
    disrupts current plans and operations and the potential difficulties
    in employee retention as a result of the merger; the amount of the
    costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the merger and the
    execution of certain financings that will be obtained to consummate
    the merger; and the impact of the substantial indebtedness incurred to
    finance the consummation of the merger.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    In connection with the proposed merger, Aeroflex will prepare a
    proxy statement to be filed with the SEC. When completed, a definitive
    proxy statement and a form of proxy will be mailed to the stockholders
    of Aeroflex. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, AEROFLEX's
    STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT REGARDING THE
    MERGER CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
    INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER. Aeroflex's stockholders will be
    able to obtain, without charge, a copy of the proxy statement (when
    available) and other relevant documents filed with the SEC from the
    SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Aeroflex's stockholders will also
    be able to obtain, without charge, a copy of the proxy statement and
    other relevant documents (when available) by directing a request by
    mail or telephone to Corporate Secretary, Aeroflex Incorporated, 35
    South Service Road, Plainview, New York 11803, telephone: (516)
    694-6700, or from Aeroflex's website, http://www.aeroflex.com.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    Aeroflex and its directors and officers may be deemed to be
    participants in the solicitation of proxies from Aeroflex's
    stockholders with respect to the merger. Information about Aeroflex's
    directors and executive officers and their ownership of Aeroflex's
    common stock is set forth in the proxy statement for Aeroflex's 2006
    Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on
    October 5, 2006. Stockholders may obtain additional information
    regarding the interests of Aeroflex and its directors and executive
    officers in the merger, which may be different than those of
    Aeroflex's stockholders generally, by reading the proxy statement and
    other relevant documents regarding the merger, when filed with the
    SEC.