Ingram Micro: 19 frequently asked questions about its recent sale

Ingram MIcro's headquarters in Irvine, California

Ingram Micro has released an FAQ on its recent acquisition by Tianjin Tianhai Investment Company for $US6 billion. It answers 19 questions many people have been asking and provides all the facts behind the deal.

1. Why is Ingram Micro selling itself? Why now?

The Board regularly evaluates opportunities to maximize value and believes that this transaction is in the best interest of our stockholders.

We believe that the merger delivers near term, considerable value to our stockholders at a substantial premium.

2. How did this transaction come about? Who reached out to whom?

In connection with the merger and the related stockholder approval process, Ingram Micro will be filing a proxy with the SEC in the coming weeks which provides context about the background of the merger as well as the decision process of Ingram Micro’s Board of Directors.

3. Why is this premium/valuation a good deal for stockholders?

Along with the assistance of its advisors, the Board determined that this transaction to be acquired by Tianjin Tianhai Investment Company, Ltd. (Tianjin Tianhai), a subsidiary of the HNA Group, is in the best interest of our stockholders. • The transaction delivers near-term, compelling value to our stockholders at a substantial premium of approximately 39 per cent over the average closing share price for the 30 trading days ended February 16, 2016.

4. Is there a go-shop provision?

No.

5. What regulatory reviews are required?

This transaction is subject to customary regulatory review including antitrust review in the United States, European Union, the PRC and other jurisdictions, as well as clearance by the Shanghai Stock Exchange and other applicable PRC approvals.

We do not currently anticipate any major hurdles from regulatory reviews. • The parties do not currently plan to file for CFIUS approval.

6. How is Tianjin Tianhai /HNA Group funding the merger? Are funding commitments already in place?

Tianjin Tianhai/HNA Group will fund the merger using its own funds as well as proceeds from financing. Tianjin Tianhai/HNA Group has good working relationships with a number of Chinese banks and financing institutions.

7. Is there a financing condition?

The transaction is not subject to financing closing condition. However, Tianjin Tianhai’s liability is limited to the amount of the termination fee that it may be required to pay under the transaction agreement, but please refer to the transaction agreement that we expect to file shortly for further information regarding the transaction terms.

8. What stockholder votes are required to approve the merger?

Approvals of both Ingram Micro’s and Tianjin Tianhai’s stockholders are required to approve the merger.

The merger must be approved by at least two-thirds of the stockholders of Tianjin Tianhai voting on the transaction at a special meeting called for that purpose. HNA Group will not be permitted to vote its shares in favor of the transaction.

In the event that the Tianjin Tianhai stockholders do not vote in favor of the merger, the HNA Group has agreed that it will assume the obligations of Tianjin Tianhai under the merger agreement and become obligated to acquire Ingram Micro directly (subject to satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions in the merger agreement).

9. Is there a breakup fee? What is it?

There is an “interloper” break-up fee of $US120 million, but please refer to the transaction agreement that we expect to file shortly for further information regarding the merger terms.

The merger agreement also provides that upon termination of the agreement under certain circumstances, Tianjin Tianhai would be obligated to pay Ingram Micro a termination fee, which will be equal to $US200 million if the agreement is terminated in the first 30 days after signing, $US300 million if the agreement is terminated between the 31st day and the 60th day after signing, and $US400 million if the agreement is terminated any time after the 61st day following signing, but please refer to the transaction agreement that we expect to file shortly for further information regarding the transaction terms.

10. When do you anticipate holding Ingram Micro’s stockholder vote?

We will act promptly to file the required proxy materials and schedule the vote of Ingram Micro’s stockholders.

11. Why are you suspending your dividend and share repurchase program?

As part of the merger agreement, Ingram Micro agreed to suspend our dividend and share repurchase programs.

We are confident we are delivering significant stockholders value through this merger.

12. What happens to Ingram Micro management?

Our current management team is expected to remain in place and Ingram Micro will continue to be headquartered in Irvine, California, operating as a subsidiary of Tianjin Tianhai and as part of HNA Group.

13. What changes should vendors or customers expect when Ingram Micro is a part of HNA Group?

We do not expect this merger to impact the way we do business together, it simply represents a change in our equity ownership.

14. Is this acquisition going to change your financial rating and ability to maintain your credit access and thus support the business?

We will be engaging in discussions with the relevant ratings agencies regarding this merger in due course.

Our expectation is that Ingram Micro will maintain a healthy balance sheet and a strong financial position that will provide our vendor and customer partners with the financial support and comfort they are accustomed to when doing business with Ingram Micro.

HNA Group has assured us that it will not significantly change our capital structure and we expect to be able to leverage HNA Group’s financial strength.

15. Will Ingram Micro maintain the same level of compliance?

Maintaining the high level of compliance Ingram Micro is known for is integral to our success.

In fact, Ingram Micro holds an ISO 27001 certification, which is globally recognized as one of the highest standards of compliance and controls for information security management systems, and expects to continue to maintain such certification following the acquisition. In addition, HNA Group has assured us that our compliance efforts will not change as a result of the change in ownership, and specifically that:

Our compliance groups throughout the world will remain in place,

Your point of contact will remain the same. Our executive team will remain the same, and our facilities throughout the world will remain the same.

Our executive team is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards and we will remain subject to applicable laws, including US laws and regulations.

16. Why does Ingram Micro hold an ISO 27001 certification, rather than simply adhering to the Sarbanes Oxley controls and requirements?

While Sarbanes Oxley addresses the accuracy of financial reporting and includes controls such as data security standards and compliance, ISO 27001 certification goes further to address security risks tied to confidentiality, integrity and availability of our environment and systems.

We have invested in an ISO 27001 certification to ensure that our data, and the data of our customers, business partners and other affiliates, is protected and our systems managed following the highest global standards.

Our adoption of the ISO 27001 certification also gives Ingram Micro’s partners and business affiliates an added level of assurance in how we handle controlled unclassified information (CUI), relative to business transacted within the U.S. public sector.

Through our adoption and expected continued maintenance of an ISO 27001 certification, Ingram Micro is prepared to handle CUI, and all other data generated as a result of our transacting business, with safeguards meeting the highest global standards.

17. Will the Ingram Micro name and brand stay the same?

Ingram Micro’s name and brand are well regarded and are not expected to change as a result of this merger.

HNA Group has assured us it is committed to maintaining Ingram Micro’s integrity and brand excellence.

Our commitment to maintaining our trusted relationships with our vendor and customer partners is unwavering.

18. Will your business strategy change?

We do not anticipate a change in our business strategy as a result of this merger, if anything we will be able to accelerate our investments and execution.

HNA Group has assured us it fully supports Ingram Micro’s strategic direction and is dedicated to offering innovative solutions across the IT ecosystem and providing a superior vendor experience.

Innovation, new services introduction, brand management and ensuring the stability and continuity of the business operations they acquire are fundamental to HNA Group’s overall strategy.

In fact, as a part of HNA Group, Ingram Micro expects to have the ability to accelerate our investments, both organically and through M&A, to enhance and add to our capabilities in high value IT solutions, mobility lifecycle services, commerce and fulfillment solutions and cloud, while also continuing to extend our geographic reach.

19. Do any other companies in your industry have foreign owners or significant foreign-based investors?

Yes, many companies in our industry have foreign owners or significant foreign-based investors. For instance, Lenovo, Acer, Asus, and Toshiba, which manufacture PCs and computing products used by many US companies, are foreign owned. In tech distribution, the parent of Westcon Group is based in South Africa, and the largest shareholder of Synnex is based in Taiwan.