Transaction at a Premium Underscores Leading
Position in the Additive Manufacturing Industry and Positions
Stratasys to Drive Growth
Strengthens Balance Sheet to Capture Market
Opportunities
Fortissimo’s Founding and Managing Partner,
Yuval Cohen, to Join the Stratasys Board
Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSYS) (“Stratasys” or the “Company”), a
leader in polymer 3D printing solutions, today announced that
Fortissimo Capital (“Fortissimo”), a leading Israeli private equity
fund investing in technology and industrials, has entered into an
agreement to invest $120 million in the Company, acquiring
approximately 14% of Stratasys’ issued and outstanding ordinary
shares through a direct purchase of 11,650,485 newly issued
ordinary shares at $10.30 per share, reflecting a premium of 10.6%
over the closing market price on January 31, 2025. Prior to this
transaction, Fortissimo held approximately 1.5% of Stratasys’
issued and outstanding ordinary shares. With this transaction,
Fortissimo will hold approximately 15.5% of Stratasys’ issued and
outstanding ordinary shares. The terms of the agreement also
include an 18-month lock-up, as well as customary standstill
provisions, subject to certain caveats specified below.
Fortissimo is investing in Stratasys with a long-term commitment
at a premium valuation. Stratasys expects this partnership to
enhance shareholder value, support the continued execution of
Stratasys’ strategy to drive growth and further strengthen the
Company’s balance sheet as it seeks to capture inorganic
value-creation opportunities in the additive manufacturing
industry.
“Fortissimo’s investment underscores confidence in our
leadership and performance, our ability to deliver solutions that
solve customer needs and our long-term growth potential,” said Dr.
Yoav Zeif, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Stratasys.
“Fortissimo is an experienced private equity investor with a growth
focus, deep understanding of our business and a proven track record
of investment in private and public technology companies. We are
excited to partner with Fortissimo and believe their meaningful
investment and partnership-oriented approach will enable us to
drive additional long-term value for all shareholders.”
In connection with this investment, Yuval Cohen, Founding and
Managing Partner of Fortissimo, will be appointed to the Stratasys
Board of Directors at the closing of the transaction, replacing a
Stratasys director to be named at that time. Mr. Cohen brings more
than 30 years of financial and leadership experience working
closely with companies on achieving strategic goals through
innovative approaches.
“We believe in the future of additive manufacturing and are
confident in Stratasys’ leading role in shaping the industry. We
have long respected their history of solving customers’ critical
manufacturing challenges and are confident they exemplify the
necessary and strategic approach to fulfill the potential of 3D
printing,” said Mr. Cohen. “We look forward to being a part of
Stratasys’ next chapter as we collaborate with its strong
management team to build on the Company’s fundamental strengths to
the benefit of the Company’s stakeholders.”
Investment Details
The parties expect the transaction to close during the second
quarter of 2025, subject to review by the Committee on Foreign
Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
In connection with the transaction, Stratasys’ Board will exempt
Fortissimo from Stratasys’ limited duration shareholder rights plan
and Fortissimo will be subject to certain standstill undertakings,
including that: (a) Fortissimo has the right to acquire up to
24.99% of the Stratasys issued and outstanding ordinary shares, but
will be limited to 20% of the voting power in Stratasys; and (b)
Fortissimo shall be permitted to conduct a tender offer for the
purchase of at least 15% of the issued and outstanding ordinary
shares provided that it brings their holding to at least 35% of the
Stratasys issued and outstanding ordinary shares. For such tender
offer to close, it would require an advisory vote of the
unaffiliated shareholders.
In the event Fortissimo holds 20% of Stratasys' issued and
outstanding ordinary shares, then, at the request of Fortissimo,
Fortissimo is entitled to designate an additional nominee, bringing
their Board representation to two directors (subject to meeting
certain qualifications).
With the exception of Fortissimo, the existing terms of the
limited duration shareholder rights plan remain the same for all
Stratasys shareholders. The rights generally will become
exercisable only if an entity, person or group acquires beneficial
ownership of 15% or more of Stratasys’ outstanding ordinary shares
in a transaction not approved by the Company’s Board.
Advisors
Meitar | Law Offices is acting as legal counsel to Stratasys.
Gornitzky & Co. is acting as legal counsel to Fortissimo
Capital.
About Stratasys
Stratasys is leading the global shift to additive manufacturing
with innovative 3D printing solutions for industries such as
aerospace, automotive, consumer products, and healthcare. Through
smart and connected 3D printers, polymer materials, a software
ecosystem, and parts on demand, Stratasys solutions deliver
competitive advantages at every stage in the product value chain.
The world’s leading organizations turn to Stratasys to transform
product design, bring agility to manufacturing and supply chains,
and improve patient care.
To learn more about Stratasys, visit www.stratasys.com, the
Stratasys blog, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook. Stratasys
reserves the right to utilize any of the foregoing social media
platforms, including Stratasys’ websites, to share material,
non-public information pursuant to the SEC’s Regulation FD. To the
extent necessary and mandated by applicable law, Stratasys will
also include such information in its public disclosure filings.
About Fortissimo Capital
Fortissimo Capital (www.ffcapital.com) is a leading private
equity fund in Israel investing primarily in technology and
industrial companies. Fortissimo’s investment strategy is to
achieve capital appreciation through taking a leading role and
active approach in Israeli-related global businesses that require
immediate and significant change, or stimulation of growth and by
building business fundamentals to facilitate sustainable long-term
growth and value creation.
Some of Fortissimo’s notable investments in the digital printing
arena have included: Kornit Digital, Diptech and Nur
Macroprinters.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250202490146/en/
Stratasys
Media and Investor Contacts Stratasys Corporate,
Israel & EMEA Erik Snider Erik.Snider@stratasys.com +972 74 745
6053
U.S. Media Ed Trissel / Joseph Sala / Kara Brickman Joele
Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher (212) 355-4449
Investor Relations Yonah Lloyd Yonah.Lloyd@stratasys.com
+972 74 745 4919
Fortissimo Capital Marc Lesnick marc@ffcapital.com +972
3-915-7466
Stratasys (NASDAQ:SSYS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jan 2025 to Feb 2025
Stratasys (NASDAQ:SSYS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Feb 2025