Já existe acordo entre as empresas
O mundo das tecnologias nunca pára e quando menos se espera surgem novidades neste universo. A aquisição de departamentos e de áreas de negócios entre as empresas é algo comum, com umas a desfazer-se de áreas que deixam de lhes interessar e com a as outras a pretender entrar em novos mercados ou reforçar as áreas que já possuem.
Uma das últimas compras que foram anunciadas foi a da intenção da Belkin em comprar a divisão de Home Networking da Cisco. Isto significa numa primeira análise a mudança de dono para a Linksys.
Segundo um anuncio feito pela Belkin, ambas as empresas chegaram a acordo para a venda da unidade de Home Networking da Cisco, composta na sua maioria pela marca Linksys.
A marca, produtor, tecnologias e funcionários da Linksys vão ser transferidos para a gestão da Belkin, empresa que tem já uma posição neste mercado.
Segundo foi anunciado pelo CEO da Cisco, esta venda é apenas o início da relação entre estas duas empresas, que se estenderá a outras iniciativas conjuntas e está enquadrada numa parceria estratégica entre estas empresas.
Belkin and Cisco intend to pursue a strategic relationship focused on a variety of initiatives including retail distribution, strategic marketing and products for the service provider market.
Apesar de ainda não estar formalizada, esta venda é uma vontade das duas empresas. A Linksys foi fundada em 1988 tendo sido posteriormente adquirida pela Cisco em 2003.
Com esta compra a Belkin reforça a sua posição no mercado dos equipamentos para as pequenas e médias empresas, aumentando a sua oferta.
As estimativas apontam para que após esta compra a Belkin fique com uma posição de 30% na oferta deste tipo de equipamentos no mercado norte-americano.
Belkin intends to maintain the Linksys brand and will offer support for Linksys products as part of this transaction. All valid warranties will be honored by Belkin for current and future Linksys products.
After the transaction closes, Belkin will account for approximately 30 percent of the U.S. retail home and small business networking market.
A saída da Cisco do mercado doméstico faz parte da nova estratégia da empresa, que se pretende concentrar no mercado empresarial, que sempre foi o seu negócio original e onde obtém melhores resultados.
Não foram avançados quaisquer valores para a compra da Linksys pela Belkin e espera-se que a compra esteja finalizada em Março de 2013, após passar nas normais avaliações dos reguladores.
Press Release BELKIN
BELKIN ANNOUNCES INTENT TO ACQUIRE CISCO’S HOME NETWORKING BUSINESS UNIT
Acquisition to Bolster Belkin’s Position in the Home Networking Market, Building on the Strong Linksys Brand and Innovative Suite of Product and Software Solutions
Playa Vista, Calif. – January 24, 2013 – Belkin, a private company based in Playa Vista, Calif., with operations and sales in more than 100 countries, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Cisco’s Home Networking Business Unit, including its proven products, technology, well-known Linksys brand and talented employees. With global operations, Linksys’ main office is located in Irvine, Calif.
“We’re very excited about this announcement,” said Chet Pipkin, CEO of Belkin. “Our two organizations share many core beliefs – we have similar beginnings and share a passion for meeting the real needs of our customers through the strengths of an entrepreneurial culture. Belkin’s ultimate goal is to be the global leader in the connected home and wireless networking space and this acquisition is an important step to realizing that vision.”
Belkin intends to maintain the Linksys brand and will offer support for Linksys products as part of this transaction. All valid warranties will be honored by Belkin for current and future Linksys products. After the transaction closes, Belkin will account for approximately 30 percent of the U.S. retail home and small business networking market.
“Linksys pioneered wireless connectivity capability around the globe, and has a strong brand renowned for its premium market position, the strength of its installed base and its proven dependability. Linksys users benefit from peace of mind in their home networking environment. At Belkin we have developed great insight into consumer needs, and the experiences, solutions and products we bring to the market, including our WeMo home automation platform, will help us to grow Linksys’ market presence,” Pipkin said.
“Linksys is one of the leading home networking providers and has created a market-leading suite of products and services to meet customer needs,” said Hilton Romanski, VP Corporate Business Development, Cisco. “While part of Cisco, Linksys has continuously innovated, while strengthening the brand and expanding its market leadership. As part of Cisco’s commitment to service providers, we are pleased about this strategic relationship with Belkin to build on Linksys’ position of strength.”
”With complementary innovation and engineering strategies in the combined organization, Belkin will be able to create new opportunities for consumers, distribution partners and resellers, and will have the strongest retail presence in the U.S. networking marketplace. Belkin also will have access to a large installed base that will be able to upgrade their networking environment to take advantage of new technologies in the smartphone, tablet, notebook and home automation arenas,” Pipkin said. “Additionally, Linksys will enhance Belkin’s capabilities to meet the needs of the service provider space and small business users.”
Belkin and Cisco intend to develop a strategic relationship on a variety of initiatives including retail distribution, strategic marketing and products for the service provider market. Having access to Cisco’s specialized software solutions across all of Belkin’s product lines will bring a more seamless user experience for customers. Merging the innovation capabilities of Linksys and Belkin provides a powerful platform from which to develop the next generation of home networking technology.
“At Belkin, we’re committed to enabling great experiences for users of today’s mobile and connected home technologies,” Pipkin said. “The acquisition of Linksys and the combination of Belkin’s and Linksys’ expertise and innovation will position us to meet the demands of today’s rapidly evolving advances in technology. We look forward to honoring the heritage of the Linksys brand and investing in the continuing evolution of its product portfolio. Together, we will provide a powerful, simple to use, and reliable wireless and networking platform for the markets we serve.”
Specific financial terms of the transaction are undisclosed. The transaction is subject to various standard closing conditions and is expected to close in March 2013.
