Microsemi Corp., which made a $3.35 a share takeover offer by letter to Zarlink's board last month only to have it rebuffed, issued a news release Wednesday saying a wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary will make that US$445 million bid official today.

After Microsemi's offer, Zarlink's board set up a committee to review all possibilities for the company and invited Microsemi officials to participate.

But the Irvine, Calif., company apparently didn't see this going anywhere.

"We are disappointed by Zarlink's board of directors' insistence on placing onerous restrictions on Microsemi that would have prevented us from presenting our attractive offers to Zarlink's shareholders and debenture holders," Microsemi CEO Jim Peterson said in the news release. "Under these circumstances, and in the absence of a more attractive alternative, Microsemi is compelled to take its offer directly to shareholders. Zarlink shareholders will receive a substantial premium, in cash, and without execution or macroeconomic risk."

Share and debenture holders have until Sept. 22 to tender their holdings.