May 5, 2004–Littelfuse, Inc. (Nasdaq/NMS:LFUS) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire an 82% stake in Heinrich Industrie AG for EUR 39.5 million (approximately $47.2 million) in cash. Closing of the transaction is expected to take place on May 6, 2004. Littelfuse will purchase the controlling interest in Heinrich Industrie from the company’s two largest shareholders and later this quarter will initiate a tender offer for the remaining shares of the publicly held company. Littelfuse will finance the transaction through cash on hand and use of its existing credit facility.
Heinrich Industrie, headquartered in Essen, Germany, has annualized sales of approximately EUR 75 million. It is the holding company for the WICKMANN Group of circuit protection products, which has three business units: electronic, automotive and electrical. Heinrich Industrie is one of the leading global companies in the fuse industry, with strong market positions in Europe, especially Germany, and a growing presence in Asia. Heinrich’s shares are traded on the Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Stuttgart Stock Exchanges.