Extreme Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXTR) and Enterasys Networks, Inc. announced that Extreme Networks has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all outstanding stock of Enterasys in an all cash transaction valued at $US180 million.
As network switching leaders in enterprise, data centre and cloud, Extreme Networks and Enterasys Networks together will combine and extend their world-class products and technologies to provide customers with some of the most advanced, high performance, and open solutions in the market as well as a superb overall customer experience.
The combination of Extreme Networks and Enterasys is significant in that it brings together two companies with distinct strengths addressing the key areas of the network, from unified wired and wireless edge, to the enterprise core, to the data centre and cloud,” said Zeus Kerravala, principal analyst and president of ZK Research. “With an open software approach, the companies can drive product innovations and customers will benefit from their increased resources and larger scale.
The combined company will be committed to continue to support the product roadmaps of both companies going forward to protect the investments of current customers and avoid any disruption to businesses.
Within approximately two years, the combined companies expect that ExtremeXOS®, Extreme Networks advanced network operating system, will be extended to incorporate additional features that are available in the Enterasys network operating systems and fully support both hardware platforms. The company believes customers will benefit by having a single network operating system that delivers functionality across both product lines and is designed to allow customers to seamlessly choose which hardware platform best meets their deployment needs.
Since its first release in 2004, ExtremeXOS® has been developed with a Linux abstraction layer that makes it relatively easy to extend ExtremeXOS to support other vendors’ switching hardware,” said Chuck Berger, President and CEO of Extreme Networks. “Combining Enterasys technologies and products including their Coreflow modular switches, IdentiFi™ wireless and the NetSight® system management application will extend and complement our product offering which we expect will provide significant added value to the current customers of both Extreme and Enterasys.
Our number one priority is to ensure an even more positive customer experience by preserving the value of our current customers’ investments and combining the best of both companies’ technologies and talent,” said Chris Crowell, President and CEO of Enterasys Networks.
The companies’ revenue will be approximately double that of either company alone. Significantly increased scale is expected to enable greater investments in R&D to accelerate innovation and bring better technologies and products to market faster. It is also planned that the operating margin of the combined company will increase over time as synergies are realised. The acquisition, excluding transaction, integration and purchase accounting related costs, is expected to be immediately accretive.
Enterasys Networks, based in Salem, NH, is a privately held provider of wired and wireless network infrastructure and security solutions. It has approximately 900 employees and $US330 million in annual revenues.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the fourth calendar quarter of 2013. Under the terms of the agreement, Extreme Networks will pay $US180 million in cash in exchange for all outstanding shares of Enterasys. The acquisition has been approved by the board of directors of each company. Prior to the closing of the transaction, each company will continue to operate separately. Extreme Networks has received a preliminary debt commitment to finance at least $US75 million of the purchase price, with the balance to be funded from cash on hand, although the closing of the transaction is not conditioned upon the receipt of any bank financing.
Extreme Networks will host a conference call on Thursday, Sept. 12th, to discuss the transaction with Enterasys Eastern Daylight Time (4:30 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time). The conference call may be heard by dialling 1- (877) 303-9826 (international callers dial 1-(224) 357-2194. A seven-day replay will be available following the call by dialing 1-(855) 859-2056. The conference call passcode is 57769175. In addition, a live webcast and replay of the call will be available at http://investor.extremenetworks.com.
