Filed by Analog Devices, Inc.
pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed to be filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12
under the Securities Exchange Act
Subject Company: Linear Technology Corporation
Filer’s SEC File No.: 001-7819
Date: August 22, 2016
The following is a letter that was distributed by Analog Devices, Inc. to employees of Linear Technology, Inc. on August 19, 2016.
| TO: | All Linear Technology Employees |
| FROM: | Vince Roche, Analog Devices’ President and CEO |
| SUBJECT: | My upcoming visit to Milpitas |
Dear Linear Technology Employees,
Now that we are a few weeks post announcement, I am planning to visit Milpitas to begin discussing integration planning and our joint future together. This will be the first of many visits as we work to better understand each other’s operations and cultures and build the new operating model I described in my earlier letter and video to you.
During my visit with your management team, we will discuss the thoughts, questions, and concerns you have raised and share as much of our integration plans as I can at this early stage. I have appreciated the comments you have already shared with me and my team and the energetic response from both Linear and ADI to the potential of our combined company.
I have also heard your concerns about how the acquisition might change life at Linear, and I want to reassure you that we are focused on making this transition as smooth and seamless as possible for you. I know one of the big concerns is what will happen to your compensation and benefits. Rest assured that as we seek to combine the best practices of our two companies, we want to keep in place the elements that make our respective companies great places to work. We plan to keep compensation and benefits largely unchanged for at least the first 12 months after close. Trust that we will be soliciting your input regarding the best incentives for our newly combined company and that you will have a voice in the final outcome.
So please keep the thoughts and questions coming, and as decisions about our future are made by our leadership teams, we will be sure to communicate them to you as soon as possible. Thank you for being part of this journey.
Vince
Forward Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements, which address a variety of subjects including, for example, the expected timetable for closing of the transaction between Analog Devices, Inc. (“Analog Devices”) and Linear Technology Corporation (“Linear Technology”), goals, intentions and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, results of operations or financial condition, or otherwise, expected benefits and synergies of the transaction, Analog Devices’ expected product offerings, product development, marketing position and technical advances resulting from the transaction. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs, plans and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The following important factors and uncertainties, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: the ability to satisfy the conditions to closing of the proposed transaction, on the expected timing or at all; the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals for the proposed transaction, on the expected timing or at all, including the potential for regulatory authorities to require divestitures in connection with the proposed transaction; the occurrence of any event that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the risk of stockholder litigation relating to the proposed transaction, including resulting expense or delay; higher than expected or unexpected costs associated with or relating to the transaction; the risk that expected benefits, synergies and growth prospects of the transaction may not be achieved in a timely manner, or at all; the risk that Linear Technology’s business may not be successfully integrated with Analog Devices’ following the closing; the risk that Analog Devices and Linear Technology will be unable to retain and hire key personnel; and the risk that disruption from the transaction may adversely affect Linear Technology’s or Analog Devices’ business and relationships with their customers, suppliers or employees. For additional information about factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, please refer to both Analog Devices’ and Linear Technology’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the risk factors contained in each of Analog Devices’ and Linear Technology’s most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements represent management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made by us to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Important Additional Information Will Be Filed With The SEC
In connection with the proposed transaction, Analog Devices and Linear Technology intend to file relevant information with the SEC, including a registration statement of Analog Devices on Form S-4 (the “registration statement”) that will include a prospectus of Analog Devices and a proxy statement of Linear Technology (the “proxy statement/prospectus”). INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF LINEAR TECHNOLOGY ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE ENTIRE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ANALOG DEVICES, LINEAR TECHNOLOGY AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. A definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to Linear Technology’s shareholders. The registration statement, proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed by Analog Devices with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at Analog Devices’ website at www.analog.com or at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These documents may also be obtained free of charge from Analog Devices by requesting them by mail at Analog
Devices, Inc., One Technology Way, P.O. Box 9106, Norwood, MA 02062-9106, Attention: Investor Relations, or by telephone at (781) 461-3282. The documents filed by Linear Technology with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at Linear Technology’s website at www.linear.com or at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These documents may also be obtained free of charge from Linear Technology by requesting them by mail at Linear Technology Corporation, 1630 McCarthy Blvd., Milpitas, CA, 95035-7417, Attention: Investor Relations, or by telephone at (408) 432-2407.
Participants in the Solicitation
Linear Technology, Analog Devices and certain of their directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Linear Technology shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of Linear Technology shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus when it is filed with the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of Analog Devices and their ownership of Analog Devices’ common stock is set forth in the definitive proxy statement for the Analog Devices’ 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, as previously filed with the SEC on January 28, 2016. Information about the directors and executive officers of Linear Technology and their ownership of Linear Technology common stock is set forth in the definitive proxy statement for Linear Technology’s 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, as previously filed with the SEC on September 17, 2015. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described in the paragraphs above.
Non-Solicitation
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.