---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001587523-23-000075"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "KN"
cik: "0001587523"
company_name: "Knowles Corp"
filed_at: "2023-09-21T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-10T10:40:55.968711+00:00"
event_type: "m_and_a"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Knowles acquires Kaplan Electronics and CDE assets for $263M; enters capacitor market

## Summary
- Total consideration $263M: $140M cash at closing plus $123M interest-free seller note.
- Seller note split: $50M due 1 year post-close, $73M due 2 years, secured by acquired assets.
- Acquisition includes Kaplan Electronics, CD E capacitor business, and related operations.
- Closing expected Q4 2023, subject to HSR waiting period and other customary conditions.
- Key employees subject to employment agreements; definitive agreement filed as Exhibit 10.1.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001587523-23-000075
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: KN
- cik: 0001587523
- company_name: Knowles Corp
- filed_at: 2023-09-21T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: m_and_a
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1587523/000158752323000075/0001587523-23-000075-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1587523/000158752323000075/kn-20230915.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001587523-23-000075
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001587523-23-000075.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001587523-23-000075.txt

## Key facts
- Material Agreements
  Knowles Corp entered into Purchase and Sale Agreement with Knowles Capital Holdings, Inc., Knowles Intermediate PD Holdings, LLC, Cornell Dubilier Electronics, Inc., CD Aero, LLC, Kaplan Electronics, Inc., certain shareholders, James P. Kaplan, and certain guarantors valued at aggregate consideration of $263 million, consisting of a $140 million cash payment at closing and an (effective 2023-09-15).
  - Action: entry
  - Agreement: asset purchase
  - Counterparty: Knowles Capital Holdings, Inc., Knowles Intermediate PD Holdings, LLC, Cornell Dubilier Electronics, Inc., CD Aero, LLC, Kaplan Electronics, Inc., certain shareholders, James P. Kaplan, and certain guarantors
  - Value: aggregate consideration of $263 million, consisting of a $140 million cash payment at closing and an
  - Effective: 2023-09-15
  source text: On September 15, 2023, Knowles Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with Knowles Capital Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Knowles Intermediate PD Holdings, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Cornell Dubilier Electronics, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("CDE"), CD Aero, LLC ("CDA"), Kaplan Electronics, Inc. ("Kaplan"), the parties listed as "Shareholders" on the signature pages attached thereto, James P. Kaplan, in his capacity as sellers' representative, and the parties listed as "Guarantors" on the signature pages attached thereto.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1587523/000158752323000075/0001587523-23-000075-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.