Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Hollysys Automation Technologies / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Talk about your never-ending story. I count at least seven non-binding Offers for <strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener"> Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)</a></strong> since December 2020, three of which are still on the table.</li>
<li>The latest, at US$26/share, was pitched earlier this week from Ascendent Capital Partners; who along with Changli Wang, Hollysys' founder, previously made an US$23/share Offer in August 2021.</li>
<li>However, all these Offers are largely moot until we get closure at the court injunction hearing. If that occurs. Separately, I had a solid discussion with Hollysys' IR. </li>
</ul>


Talk about your never-ending story. I count at least seven non-binding Offers for  Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) since December 2020, three of which are still on the table.
The latest, at US$26/share, was pitched earlier this week from Ascendent Capital Partners; who along with Changli Wang, Hollysys' founder, previously made an US$23/share Offer in August 2021.
However, all these Offers are largely moot until we get closure at the court injunction hearing. If that occurs. Separately, I had a solid discussion with Hollysys' IR. 


Hollysys: Court Injunction Hearing Is Key

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

<ul>
<li>Ascendent Capital has made a <a href="https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=101533&amp;ref=317844343&amp;type=PDF&amp;symbol=HOLI&amp;cdn=eb09d796c5e38b2cb3fcc4b11a699c1a&amp;companyName=Hollysys+Automation+Technologies+Ltd.&amp;formType=SC+13D&amp;dateFiled=2023-11-06" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-binding proposal</a> for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)</a> at US$26.00 per share, a 4.0% premium to the MBO and Recco proposal of US$25.00 per share. </li>
<li>Ascendent has also become the largest shareholder by securing 13.69% of outstanding shares at an average price of A$20.84 per share. Ascendant is supportive of the special meeting request.</li>
<li>The Board has tried several delaying tactics, but the emergence of Ascendant ramps up the pressure on the Board to conduct a transparent sale process and address shareholder concerns. </li>
</ul>


Ascendent Capital has made a non-binding proposal for Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) at US$26.00 per share, a 4.0% premium to the MBO and Recco proposal of US$25.00 per share. 
Ascendent has also become the largest shareholder by securing 13.69% of outstanding shares at an average price of A$20.84 per share. Ascendant is supportive of the special meeting request.
The Board has tried several delaying tactics, but the emergence of Ascendant ramps up the pressure on the Board to conduct a transparent sale process and address shareholder concerns. 


Hollysys (HOLI US): Ascendent Capital Joins the Fray

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener"><strong>Hollysys (HOLI US</strong>)</a>, a leading automation control system solutions provider in China, has been subject to at least six indicative Offers since December 2020, ranging from US$15.47/share to $US$25/share. </li>
<li>Yue Xu and Lei Fang, the co-chief operating officers of Hollysys, who previously tabled a NBIO of <a href="https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=101533&amp;ref=116095743&amp;type=PDF&amp;symbol=HOLI&amp;companyName=Hollysys+Automation+Technologies+Ltd.&amp;formType=6-K&amp;dateFiled=2021-08-24&amp;CK=1357450" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US$23.00/share in August 2021</a>, have now pitched a <a href="https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=101533&amp;ref=317816928&amp;type=PDF&amp;symbol=HOLI&amp;cdn=2e4afefb17cdc67f8f50561ac5e51bd3&amp;companyName=Hollysys+Automation+Technologies+Ltd.&amp;formType=6-K&amp;dateFiled=2023-10-24" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US$25/share proposal</a>.</li>
<li>What is different this time? &gt;32% of the share registry has banded together to demand changes. That’s dramatically different vs previous Offers.</li>
</ul>



Hollysys (HOLI US), a leading automation control system solutions provider in China, has been subject to at least six indicative Offers since December 2020, ranging from US$15.47/share to $US$25/share. 
Yue Xu and Lei Fang, the co-chief operating officers of Hollysys, who previously tabled a NBIO of US$23.00/share in August 2021, have now pitched a US$25/share proposal.
What is different this time? &gt;32% of the share registry has banded together to demand changes. That’s dramatically different vs previous Offers.


<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)</a> update notes a new MBO proposal at US$25 per share, a bidders shortlist in several weeks and an update on the special meeting. </li>
<li>The update suggests several potential bidders and enough shareholders with the required record date to convene the special meeting to appoint independent directors. </li>
<li>The MBO proposal, while potentially a delaying tactic, suggests that the Board are under pressure for a solution and is aiming for a friendly takeover. </li>
</ul>



Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) update notes a new MBO proposal at US$25 per share, a bidders shortlist in several weeks and an update on the special meeting. 
The update suggests several potential bidders and enough shareholders with the required record date to convene the special meeting to appoint independent directors. 
The MBO proposal, while potentially a delaying tactic, suggests that the Board are under pressure for a solution and is aiming for a friendly takeover. 


Hollysys (HOLI US): MBO Proposal and Updates

<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hollysys-automation-technologies" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26078:1" rel="noopener">Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)</a> Board succumbs to shareholder pressure by announcing the formation of a special committee to conduct a formal sale process.</li>
<li>Hollysys has received non-binding proposals from six parties since December 2020. The most recent is a non-binding proposal from the Recco consortium at US$25.00 per share.</li>
<li>The Board’s change of heart should encourage previous bidders to re-engage. Recco’s offer, while attractive, is not a knockout bid, suggesting a possible bidding war. </li>
</ul>


The Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) Board succumbs to shareholder pressure by announcing the formation of a special committee to conduct a formal sale process.
Hollysys has received non-binding proposals from six parties since December 2020. The most recent is a non-binding proposal from the Recco consortium at US$25.00 per share.
The Board’s change of heart should encourage previous bidders to re-engage. Recco’s offer, while attractive, is not a knockout bid, suggesting a possible bidding war. 


Hollysys (HOLI US): Board Starts a Formal Sale Process

United States

CTS Corporation designs and manufactures electronic components and sensors to original equipment manufacturers in the automotive, communications, medical, defense and aerospace, industrial and computer markets.

PC Connection, Inc. is a direct marketer of personal computers and related peripherals, software, accessories, and networking products. The Company sells to small and medium-sized businesses. PC Connection carries high turnover products in inventory, and in addition provides customer service and technical support.

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. provides contract electronics manufacturing and design services.  The Company serves original equipment manufacturers of medical devices, industrial control equipment, testing and instrumentation products, and telecommunications equipment.  Benchmark also offers product design, printed circuit board layout, prototyping and test development services.

Knowles Corporation designs and manufactures advanced acoustic components. The Company produces components for hearing aids and surface mount microphones for cell phones and consumer electronics. Knowles offers its products around the world.

Arlo Technologies, Inc. provides software solutions. The Company offers cloud-based platform with a variety of connected devices such as security cameras. Arlo Technologies serves customers in the United States.

TTM Technologies, Inc. is an independent provider of time-critical, one-stop manufacturing services for printed circuit boards.  The circuit boards serve as a foundation for electronic products such as routers, switches, servers, memory modules, and cellular base stations. The Company's customers include original equipment manufacturers and electronic manufacturing services companies.

ePlus inc. provides IT hardware, software and services. The Company offers IT solutions for data center, cloud computing, security, managed and professional services, lease financing, proprietary software, and other related products. ePlus focuses on serving the middle market and larger commercial enterprises as well as state and local governments.

Rogers Corporation manufactures and markets specialty materials and components for applications in the communications, computer, imaging, consumer, and transportation markets.  The Company's products include elastomers, high frequency circuit materials, flexible circuit materials, molding materials, and composite materials.  Rogers sells its products around the world.

ScanSource, Inc. is a value-added wholesale distributor of specialty technology products to the reseller market.  The Company provides automatic identification and point-of-sale products, as well as telephony and computer telephony integration products. ScanSource distributes its products in the United States and internationally.

OSI Systems, Inc. produces medical monitoring and anesthesia systems; security and inspection systems; and lasers, optics, and optoelectronic components.  The Company's products include blood pressure monitors, anesthesia machines and hemoglobin saturation monitors; systems for inspecting baggage, people, and vehicles; and lasers, lenses, prisms, and microelectronic components.

Topcorn Corporation manufactures and sells measuring equipment and medical equipment primarily for ophthalmologist use. The Company also manufactures industrial products including projectors and optical devices.

KCE Electronics Public Company Limited and its subsidiaries manufacture and export single-layered, multi-layered, and double-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs) under its KCE trademark.  Multi-layered PCBs are used mainly in high technology equipment and high precision instruments.  Double-sided PCBs are used largely in telecommunication and computing equipment.

Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd. manufactures a wide range of glass related products.  The Company's products include fluorescent light tubes, lenses for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), ceramic integrated circuits (IC) packages, bulbs for cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, and precision sheet glass for liquid crystal displays (LCDs).

Chengdu Santai Holding Group Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer and solutions provider in the security industry. The Company's products include QMS, note management systems, DVR, monitoring solutions, face identification, and fingerprint identification.

Wuhu Token Science Co., Ltd. researches, produces and sells vacuum thin film material for flat panel displays.  The Company's products are liquid crystal display conductive film glass, touch-screen conductive film glass, and mobile phone panel material.

Codan Limited develops rugged and electronics solutions for international government, corporate, NGO and consumer markets. The company's line of business includes provision of radio communications, metal detection and tracking solutions.

Shenzhen Topband Co., Ltd. researches, manufactures and markets electronic intelligent controllers for electric household appliances.

Lotte Energy Materials Corporation manufactures and distributes electric foils. The Company produces printed circuit board and lithium ion secondary batteries elecfoil, electrolytic and epoxy copper foil, electrolytic capacitor aluminum foil, and other related products. Lotte Energy Materials also offers energy and glass and window construction services.

Beijing Zhongke Sanhuan High-Tech Co., Ltd. develops and manufactures rare earth permanent magnetic materials and products.  The Company's main product is neodymium iron boron magnetic materials.

Beijing Zhong Ke San Huan Hi Tech (000970 CH)

Amano Corporation manufactures electric time recorders and information systems. The Company also produces time stamps and parking lot traffic and fee collection management systems.  The Company produces environment related systems such as dust collectors, air filters, and gas/water cleaning equipment.

Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd. manufactures automation and control systems.  The Company produces process, industrial, rail and subway, and nuclear power plant automation equipment.

Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US)

Hollysys: Court Injunction Hearing Is Key

Recco or Ascendant? Ascendant's Offer (with a bump?) could easily get >50% of shares out, and spill the board. Alternatively, IF Ace Lead's stake...

David Blennerhassett

Hollysys (HOLI US): Ascendent Capital Joins the Fray

The Recco consortium has bumped its non-binding offer to US$26.50 per share, 1.9% higher than Ascendent’s offer. Recco notes that “shareholders...

Arun George

What To Make Of Hollysys' Latest Offer

The consistently poor transparency on NBIOs; the various Offers that have fallen by the wayside (without any basis for doing so), plus an ongoing...

David Blennerhassett

Hollysys (HOLI US): MBO Proposal and Updates

The MBO proposal, while potentially a delaying tactic, suggests that the Board are under pressure for a solution and is aiming for a friendly...

Arun George

Hollysys (HOLI US): Board Starts a Formal Sale Process

The Board’s change of heart should encourage previous bidders to re-engage. While attractive, Recco’s US$25 per share offer is not a knockout bid,...

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)