Posted April 4, 2011
Activant, Epicor to be acquired
Private equity firm Apax Partners has agreed to acquire distribution software providers Activant Solutions and Epicor Software Corporation in a combined transaction valued at about $2 billion.
Apax said it intends to combine the two companies into one privately held company. The new company would be one of the largest global providers of enterprise applications focused on the manufacturing, distribution, services, and retail sectors.
"We are extremely excited to be bringing together two premier enterprise software companies through this innovative transaction to create a global market leader," said Jason Wright, a partner at Apax Partners. "Epicor is a true innovator, offering deep industry-specific functionality globally across its targeted verticals. Activant is a recognized leader in providing comprehensive ERP and Point-of-Sale software to the distribution and retail markets predominately in North America."
"This transaction is extremely positive for Activant's customers, employees and investors alike," said Pervez Qureshi, Activant president and CEO. "Our market leadership and expertise in distribution perfectly complements Epicor's expertise in the manufacturing and services sectors. Together, Activant and Epicor's retail business solutions can now cover the full spectrum of retailing - from small hardlines retailers, to national specialty softgoods and apparel chains, to global general merchandise department stores. Additionally, with Epicor's worldwide infrastructure, we will have the opportunity to service and support Activant products internationally, which is very important as our customers compete in an increasingly global business environment."
"Both Epicor and Activant's customers will benefit from the combined entity's increased scale, solutions portfolio and expanded service offerings," Wright said. "Epicor will have access to additional domain expertise, particularly in wholesale distribution and automotive, hardlines, lumber and specialty retailing, while Activant will benefit from an accelerated roadmap to international operations, softlines retail functionality, and additional supply chain and manufacturing capabilities."
Click for Activant press release.
Click for Epicor press release.
