e425
Filed by SCM Microsystems, Inc.
pursuant to Rule 425 under the
Securities Act of 1933 and deemed filed
pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the
Securities Act of 1934
Subject Company: SCM Microsystems
Filer No. 000-29440
[The following communication was sent to SCM Microsystems, Inc. employees on September 21, 2009 by
Felix Marx, CEO of SCM Microsystems]
Business Combination Agreement
SCM Microsystems and Bluehill ID
Q&A
21 September, 2009
What is the vision behind the merger?
SCM Microsystems and Bluehill ID share a similar vision in becoming the signature company in access
control, identity management and RFID technologies across the globe. The primary objective behind
this combination is growth. The agreement is a coming together of two very highly complementary
Groups in terms of geography, technology, markets served and skill base. Joining forces is expected
to boost our ability to benefit from the rapid growth of the industry as a whole while at the same
time assist us in making further acquisitions which is key in this highly fragmented, early stage
industry.
Can we communicate with the people from the other organization?
Yes, employees between the two companies may communicate if in the normal course of business but
should refrain from sharing confidential information. While SCM and Bluehill have entered into an
agreement to combine, until all regulatory and shareholder approvals have been received, employees
should treat one another similar to how you would interact with employees of separate companies.
What should we say to customers and partners?
Both SCM and Bluehill ID are publicly traded companies and are therefore highly regulated. All
communications with others outside of the respective companies, whether written or verbal, should
not go beyond the information contained in the combination-related documents filed with the SEC.
You should not provide new information or opinion. The press release and U.S. 8-K filing with the
SEC announcing the proposed combination will be posted to the SCM website.
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What is the anticipated closing date?
The agreement to combine has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is now
subject to a lot of regulations in both the US and Germany. We expect this will close within 180
days but are working to make it sooner. We will do our best to keep you informed of the progress.
Will we keep all existing individual names?
Our companies have well known brands with strong market recognition and customers globally. The
names of Hirsch, SCM, Multicard, TagStar, Arygon, Syscan and ACiG are well know with the customers
and will be maintained for the individual products or business units. Over time some brands maybe
rationalized but apart from some of the existing brand rationalization effort within Bluehill ID no
decisions have been made on future brand rationalization.
The new combined company will in due course launch a new identity and a new name that evokes the
groups core activities in security and identification technology and for the foreseeable future
this will not be a trading brand. The approach would be similar to UTC, Tyco or other smaller scale
companies such as L1 and indeed to Bluehill ID and the former ITG.
What is the planned group structure?
The combined Group will be led by Felix Marx as CEO and Ayman S. Ashour as Executive Chairman of
the Board. Larry Midland will serve as Executive Vice President and President of Hirsch
Electronics. Dr. Manfred Mueller will be Executive Vice President Strategic Sales and Business
Development for SCM. Stephan Rohaly remains as CFO of SCM and Melvin Denton Thompson remains as COO
and CFO of Bluehill ID. Remember that until Bluehill ID is 100% owned by the new combined group, it
remains a listed group with own shareholders, structure and reporting requirements.
What are the different roles and responsibilities of both Felix and Ayman?
Felix will continue in his role as CEO and carry on with the strong leadership he has brought to
the company since joining in October 2007. His deep knowledge of the semiconductor and RFID
industry coupled with his tremendous skill in driving sales growth will contribute greatly to the
success of the combined group. Felixs track record at PHILIPS NXP and his ability to lead the RFID
group of PHILIPS into undisputed dominance is a testament to Felixs unique abilities and
achievement orientation.
Ayman will assume the role of Executive Chairman of the Board of directors of the combined company.
Ayman has the experience, strategic vision and respect of the investor community to lead the
combined group into being the number one in the industry. He has achieved similar success during
his tenure at Assa Abloy and then once again in founding Bluehill in 2007 with tremendous success
in a brief period of time.
What changes will take place?
Both organizations will work together to leverage our combined strengths allowing us to accelerate
our leadership position in access control, identity management and RFID technologies. The focus
will be strengthening our combined technology platforms, expanding our geographic market reach and
forming a tight, coherent team. As stated above, we will continue using with our strong brands as
business units or individual products.
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Is this acquisition a change of strategy for Bluehill ID?
Not only will Bluehill ID continue its buy, build and grow strategy, this business combination
will allow us to intensify our disciplined acquisition activities to a greater extent. The combined
company will have increased exposure and a tradable growth stock listed on both the NASDAQ and
Frankfurt exchanges as well as a broader geographic reach. The Bluehill team has tremendous
experience in making acquisitions, having already successfully completed 16 in its short operating
history. We believe that whether through acquisition or strategic partnership, industry players
will see us as an even more attractive company to do business with.
Is this acquisition a change of strategy for SCM?
This merger represents the second major strategic step forward, after the companys recent merger
with Hirsch Electronics. SCM also recognizes that acquisitive growth is a strong element of its
strategy. Its management team is also very cognizant that most acquisitions fail and have taken a
very deliberate and focused approach. The merger with Hirsch made tremendous industrial sense and
has already delivered great benefits to both parties and provides an excellent example how SCM
pursues integration.
Is this merger more about cost savings or more about growth?
The primary objective of this merger is growth. This is the coming together of two highly
complementary groups in terms of vision, geography, technology, markets served and skill base. The
combined business will be more diversified and balanced globally. A secondary benefit to the merger
is that we also anticipate some cost savings will exist. This could come for example from
leveraging economies of scale and shared services centralizing certain capabilities.
What does the announced name change mean?
In accordance with the terms of the combination agreement and following the completion of the
business combination, a new corporate identity will be developed for the combined company that will
represent better the companys core activities in security and identification technology. For the
foreseeable future this will not be a trading brand. The approach would be similar to UTC, Tyco or
other smaller scale companies such as L1 and indeed to Bluehill ID and the former ITG.
What will be happening to the two Chennai based R&D organizations (SCM Microsystems India and
Bluegill IDs Scolis)?
A: The R&D operations will remain critical to the future success of the combined company and in
establishing a position of technology leadership. Both organizations should continue to focus on
their current development projects. Cooperation between SCM and Arygon / Scolis has been ongoing
for several months with our coming together this should accelerate further.
Other important information
THIS COMMUNICATION IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SECURITIES, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF SECURITIES IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR
QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.
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SECURITY HOLDERS OF SCM ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER
DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY
WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED
TRANSACTION.
In addition to the documents described above, SCM files annual, quarterly and current reports,
proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Security holders will be able to obtain free
copies of the Registration Statement and the proxy statement (when available) and other documents
filed by SCM with the SEC at the SECs website at www.sec.gov or at SCMs website at
www.scmmicro.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. These include, without limitation, our statements contained above regarding the
combination agreement, potential benefits and synergies of the combination for both companies,
expected expansion of sales into new geographic markets and diversification and growth of customer
base, the anticipated closing date of the transaction and any statements about the benefits of the
business combination transaction, the new companys plans, objectives, expectations and intentions
and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially, including the future
business and financial performance of SCM and Bluehill ID; the failure of stockholders to approve
the transaction; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that
any other synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize
than expected; disruption from the transaction may make it more difficult to maintain relationships
with customers, employees or suppliers; competition and its effect on pricing, spending,
third-party relationships and revenues; and the possibility that the closing of the transaction may
be delayed, or that the transaction may not close. For a discussion of further risks and
uncertainties related to SCMs business, please refer to our public company reports and the Risk
Factors enumerated therein, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2008 and subsequent reports, filed with the SEC. SCM undertakes no duty to update any
forward-looking statement to reflect any change in SCMs expectations or any change in events,
conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.
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