Yageo take-private deal values firm at $1.6 billion

Yageo founder Pierre Chen, backed by private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts KKR, yesterday launched an offer to take Yageo private at a price that values the company at NT$47 billion $1.6 billion.

Orion Investment Company, the vehicle created to undertake the deal, is offering NT$16.10 per share for all Yageo’s outstanding minority shares. Orion is owned jointly by Chen, who founded Yageo and is currently chairman and chief executive officer, and KKR.

The offer price represents a premium of about 14% over the last closing price of Yageo shares on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, and is equal to the highest closing...