Key Takeaways
- • Penguin Solutions (Nasdaq: PENG) has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Cree LED business to Transom Capital Group, a Los Angeles-based operations-focused middle-market private equity firm, in an all-cash transaction.
- • The deal is expected to close in the first calendar quarter of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions.
- • Cree LED accounts for approximately 10% of Penguin's projected fiscal 2027 net sales, and the company reaffirmed its fiscal 2027 outlook, which includes a full year of Cree LED results.
- • The divestiture is part of Penguin's push to become a pure-play data center AI infrastructure company, following 58% year-over-year net sales growth in the second half of fiscal 2026.
- • Lazard Freres & Co. is financial advisor to Penguin; Latham & Watkins is Penguin's legal counsel and Kirkland & Ellis is Transom's.
Summary
Penguin Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: PENG) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Cree LED business to Transom Capital Group, a leading operations-focused middle-market private equity firm. Under the terms of the agreement, Transom will acquire Cree LED in an all-cash transaction. The deal is expected to close in the first calendar quarter of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions, according to the company's press release distributed via Business Wire.
The divestiture is framed by Penguin as part of its transformation into a pure-play, data center-focused company at the intersection of AI infrastructure and memory. The company said the sale will further align its portfolio, resources, and capital allocation priorities with growth opportunities in data center AI infrastructure and memory. Penguin's CEO Kash Shaikh pointed to 58% year-over-year net sales growth in the second half of fiscal 2026 since the company launched its AI Factory Platform earlier this year, with earnings growing substantially faster than revenue. He characterized the Cree LED sale as demonstrating disciplined execution.
Cree LED, which the company describes as offering one of the industry's broadest portfolios of application-optimized LED chips and components, serves high-power and mid-power general lighting, portable lighting, horticulture, specialty lighting, and video screens. Following the transaction, it will operate as a standalone LED business under Transom's ownership. Conor Davenport, Managing Director at Transom, said the firm sees significant opportunity to build on the business's operational foundation and longstanding customer relationships.
Penguin reaffirmed its fiscal 2027 outlook, first issued in its October 6, 2026 earnings release. The outlook includes a full year of expected Cree LED results, which the company estimates represent approximately 10% of projected fiscal 2027 net sales. Penguin expects to update its outlook after the closing to reflect the divestiture and related financial impacts. The company stated the transaction does not change its underlying expectations for growth and demand across its AI infrastructure and memory businesses.
Lazard Freres & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor to Penguin Solutions, with Latham & Watkins LLP as legal counsel. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is advising Transom. The release notes risks including the possibility the transaction is not completed in a timely manner or at all, and potential disruption to management attention during the separation.
The divestiture is framed by Penguin as part of its transformation into a pure-play, data center-focused company at the intersection of AI infrastructure and memory. The company said the sale will further align its portfolio, resources, and capital allocation priorities with growth opportunities in data center AI infrastructure and memory. Penguin's CEO Kash Shaikh pointed to 58% year-over-year net sales growth in the second half of fiscal 2026 since the company launched its AI Factory Platform earlier this year, with earnings growing substantially faster than revenue. He characterized the Cree LED sale as demonstrating disciplined execution.
Cree LED, which the company describes as offering one of the industry's broadest portfolios of application-optimized LED chips and components, serves high-power and mid-power general lighting, portable lighting, horticulture, specialty lighting, and video screens. Following the transaction, it will operate as a standalone LED business under Transom's ownership. Conor Davenport, Managing Director at Transom, said the firm sees significant opportunity to build on the business's operational foundation and longstanding customer relationships.
Penguin reaffirmed its fiscal 2027 outlook, first issued in its October 6, 2026 earnings release. The outlook includes a full year of expected Cree LED results, which the company estimates represent approximately 10% of projected fiscal 2027 net sales. Penguin expects to update its outlook after the closing to reflect the divestiture and related financial impacts. The company stated the transaction does not change its underlying expectations for growth and demand across its AI infrastructure and memory businesses.
Lazard Freres & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor to Penguin Solutions, with Latham & Watkins LLP as legal counsel. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is advising Transom. The release notes risks including the possibility the transaction is not completed in a timely manner or at all, and potential disruption to management attention during the separation.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.