8-KFinancial Events

THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC. 8-K Report, Material Impairment (Jun 1, 2007)

Filed June 1, 2007For Securities:TMO

Summary

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) filed an 8-K on June 1, 2007, to report on a significant development related to its July 2006 acquisition of UK-based GV Instruments Limited (GVI). The UK Competition Commission concluded its investigation and determined that the acquisition substantially lessened competition in the UK market for Gas IRMS and TIMS products. Consequently, the Company has been mandated to divest either GVI entirely or its Gas IRMS and TIMS assets to a Commission-approved buyer. This regulatory action will result in Thermo Fisher Scientific recording a non-cash after-tax charge of approximately $25-30 million. This charge, expected to be recognized principally in the second quarter of 2007, represents the loss on disposal of discontinued operations, reflecting the carrying value of the divested business exceeding its estimated disposal value. Investors should monitor the terms and execution of this required divestiture.

Key Highlights

  • 1The UK Competition Commission has ruled that Thermo Fisher Scientific's acquisition of GV Instruments Limited (GVI) substantially lessens competition in the UK market for Gas IRMS and TIMS products.
  • 2Thermo Fisher Scientific is required to divest either GVI as a whole or its Gas IRMS and TIMS assets.
  • 3The Company anticipates recording a non-cash after-tax charge of $25-30 million related to this divestiture.
  • 4This charge is classified as a loss on disposal of discontinued operations.
  • 5The impairment charge is expected to be recognized primarily in the second quarter of 2007.
  • 6The loss reflects the carrying value of the divested business exceeding its estimated disposal value.

Frequently Asked Questions

This 8-K filing is to report that the UK Competition Commission has mandated Thermo Fisher Scientific to divest its acquired business, GV Instruments Limited (GVI), or specific assets from it, due to competition concerns related to the acquisition.

Thermo Fisher Scientific expects to record a non-cash after-tax charge of $25-30 million, representing a loss on disposal of discontinued operations. This charge accounts for the difference between the business's carrying value and its estimated disposal value.

The company anticipates recognizing this charge principally in the second quarter of 2007.

The Competition Commission identified concerns in the UK markets for Gas IRMS (gas isotope ratio mass spectrometers) and TIMS (thermal ionization mass spectrometers) products.