Bel Fuse to acquire Power-One Power Solutions from ABB for $117 M

Jersey City, NJ, April 28, 2014    Bel Fuse Inc. (NASDAQ:BELFA and NASDAQ:BELFB) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Power-One Power Solutions business of ABB Ltd. (NYSE:ABB).  Bel will pay approximately $117 million in cash to acquire the Power Solutions business, which had 2013 revenue of approximately $251 million.  The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2014 and to be immediately accretive to Bel's earnings.

Headquartered in San Jose, California, and with manufacturing facilities in Slovakia and China, Power Solutions is a leading provider of high efficiency and high density power conversion products for server, storage and networking equipment, industrial applications and power systems.  Power Solutions offers a premier line of standard, modified standard and custom designed AC/DC, DC/DC and other specific power conversion products for a variety of technologies in data centers, telecommunications and industrial applications.  Power Solutions has a global sales footprint and a diverse customer base that includes some of the largest corporations and distributors in the world.  It has 2,015 associates world wide. 

Daniel Bernstein, Bel's President and CEO, said, “The acquisition of Power Solutions is a major step forward in the development of Bel's power business and the implementation of our strategy to enhance growth and profitability for our shareholders.  Since 2009, we have believed that the combination of our two respective power businesses would create a dynamic enterprise capable of competing effectively on a global basis.  Bel is excited by the many growth opportunities that will be created by this transaction, and we look forward to building an industry leading power business with our new colleagues at Power Solutions.”

“Bel Fuse's strong heritage, brand and global position will provide the Power Solutions business with excellent growth opportunities,” said ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer.

Bel is using KeyBank N.A. to finance the acquisition and will also use cash on hand.  Bel will release earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014 on Wednesday, April 30, 2014.
Stephens Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Bel in this transaction.

About Bel
Bel (www.belfuse.com) and its divisions are primarily engaged in the design, manufacture, and sale of products used in networking, telecommunications, high speed data transmission, commercial aerospace, military, transportation, and consumer electronics.  Products include magnetics (discrete components, power transformers and MagJack® connectors with integrated magnetics), modules (DC DC converters and AC DC power supplies, integrated analog front end modules and custom designs), circuit protection (miniature, micro and surface mount fuses) and interconnect devices (micro, circular and filtered D Sub connectors, fiber optic connectors, passive jacks, plugs and high speed cable assemblies).  The Company operates facilities around the world.