2019-09-06

Motorola Solutions Announces a New $1 Billion Investment from Silver Lake

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

Silver Lake will make a new $1 billion investment in Motorola Solutions, and settle its outstanding $800 million aggregate principal investment one year ahead of its maturity.

Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) and Silver Lake, a global leader in technology investing, announced they will extend their strategic partnership. In connection with the continuation of this partnership, Silver Lake will make a new $1 billion investment in Motorola Solutions, and settle its outstanding $800 million aggregate principal investment one year ahead of its maturity.

“The Silver Lake partnership has been outstanding, and I’m very pleased that we’re continuing it,” said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions. “Our relentless focus on people, platforms, growth and shareholder return has proven to be very successful, and I’m excited about the opportunities we have in front of us.”

Egon Durban and Greg Mondre, managing partners and managing directors of Silver Lake, will remain on the Motorola Solutions board.

“Motorola Solutions is a great company that has evolved into a leading mission-critical technology platform addressing the societal challenge of public safety,” said Durban and Mondre. “Greg, the management team and employees have delivered extraordinary growth and shareholder value through innovative product development and world-class services for their customers. Silver Lake is excited to extend our partnership with the team and the rest of the board. The company is positioned for continued growth with exciting new opportunities across its mission-critical communications, command center software and video analytics platform offerings.”

Issuance of $1 Billion Principal Amount of 1.75% Convertible Notes Due 2024

Under the terms of the new agreement, Silver Lake will purchase $1 billion aggregate principal amount of 1.75% convertible senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes”) using capital from a more recent fund to extend Silver Lake’s commitment and enable a longer hold period. The notes will have an initial conversion price of $203.50 per share, subject to customary anti-dilution and other adjustments. They will mature in September 2024 unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted.

Settlement of $800 Million Principal Amount of 2.00% Convertible Notes Due 2020
In connection with the issuance of the 2024 Notes, Silver Lake and MSI will settle outstanding $800 million aggregate principal amount of 2.00% convertible senior unsecured notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”). Motorola Solutions will pay Silver Lake approximately $1.1 billion in cash and issue approximately 5.5 million shares, which is fewer than the second quarter diluted share count that assumed settlement of the full premium for the 2020 Notes in shares.

Additional information may be found in the Form 8-K that will be filed today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Goldman, Sachs & Co. LLC acted as financial advisors to Motorola Solutions, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz served as Motorola Solutions’ legal advisor in the transactions. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett served as Silver Lake’s legal advisor.