Description of the Company

3 Months Ended

Sep. 01, 2012

Description of the Company [Abstract]

DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY

Richardson Electronics, Ltd. (“we”, “us”, “the Company”, and “our”) is incorporated in the state of Delaware. We are a leading global provider of engineered solutions, power grid and microwave tubes and related components, and customized display solutions, serving customers in the alternative energy, aviation, broadcast, communications, industrial, marine, medical, military, scientific, and semiconductor markets. Our strategy is to provide specialized technical expertise and “engineered solutions” based on our core engineering and manufacturing capabilities. We provide solutions and add value through design-in support, systems integration, prototype design and manufacturing, testing, logistics, and aftermarket technical service and repair.

Our products include electron tubes and related components, microwave generators, subsystems used in semiconductor manufacturing, and visual technology solutions. These products are used to control, switch or amplify electrical power signals, or are used as display devices in a variety of industrial, commercial, medical, and communication applications.

On March 1, 2011, we completed the sale of the assets primarily used or held for use in, and certain liabilities of, our RF, Wireless and Power Division (“RFPD”), as well as certain other Company assets, including our information technology assets, to Arrow Electronics, Inc. (“Arrow”) in exchange for $238.8 million, which included an estimated pre-closing working capital adjustment of approximately $27.0 million (“the Transaction.”) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, we recorded a working capital adjustment of $4.2 million in our results from discontinued operations. During the second quarter of fiscal 2012, we paid Arrow $3.9 million to settle the agreed upon working capital adjustment.

On September 5, 2011, we acquired the assets of Powerlink Specialist Electronics Support Limited (“Powerlink”) for approximately $2.3 million, including a working capital adjustment of $0.2 million related to payables of approximately $0.2 million that were paid by Powerlink prior to the close. Powerlink, a UK-based technical service company with locations in London and Dubai, services traveling wave tube (“TWT”) amplifiers and related equipment for the Satellite Communications market throughout Europe and the Middle East. This acquisition positions us to provide cost-effective service of microwave and power grid tube equipment for communications, industrial, military, and medical users around the world.

On September 4, 2012, we acquired the assets of D and C Import-Export, Inc. (“D and C”) for approximately $2.6 million. D and C, a Florida-based distributor of power grid tubes and associated RF components, services the commercial, broadcast, medical, industrial, scientific, and military markets. This acquisition provides us with access to additional product lines, vendors, and customers.

We have two operating segments, which we define as follows:

Electron Device Group (“EDG”) provides engineered solutions and distributes electronic components to customers in alternative energy, aviation, broadcast, communications, industrial, marine, medical, military, scientific, and semiconductor markets. EDG focuses on various applications including broadcast transmission, CO ₂ laser cutting, diagnostic imaging, dielectric and induction heating, high energy transfer, high voltage switching, plasma, power conversion, radar, and radiation oncology. EDG also offers its customers technical services for both microwave and industrial equipment.

Canvys provides global customized display solutions serving the corporate enterprise, financial, healthcare, industrial, and medical original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) markets.

We currently have operations in the following major geographic regions:

• North America;

• Asia/Pacific;

• Europe; and

• Latin America.