Press release : Orange signs agreement to acquire Business & Decision and accelerate Orange Business Services' growth in Data
26 Ottobre 2017 - 08:41AM
Press release
Paris, 26 October 2017
Orange signs agreement to acquire
Business & Decision and accelerate Orange Business Services'
growth in Data
-
Orange has agreed to acquire 63.98% of the
capital of Business & Decision, an international consulting and
systems integration group, listed on Euronext Paris
-
This acquisition aims to strengthen Orange
Business Services' activities as a data services integrator and
operator in France and internationally
Orange today announces the signature of a contract between Network
Related Services (an Orange Group subsidiary) and the majority
shareholders of Business & Decision (the Bensabat family)
concerning the acquisition of 63.98% of the capital of the
company.
This acquisition project, which was announced on
18 May 2017, has led to the launch of an information and
consultative procedure with employee representative bodies of
Network Related Services and of Business & Decision.
The acquisition of a majority stake would be made
in cash on the basis of a maximum price of 7.93 euros per share.
The transaction is subject to the approval of the relevant
competition authorities and the closing of share transfers
regarding certain subsidiaries within the Business & Decision
group.
Following the acquisition of this majority
interest, Orange will file a proposed simplified takeover bid at
7.93 euros per share covering all of the shares it does not already
hold in Business & Decision. This offer is pending approval by
the French Market Authorities (AMF) and the appointment of an
independent expert as required by article 261-1 of the authority's
general regulations. This price represents a premium of 34%
compared to the average share price over the 12-month period
preceding the announcement of exclusive negotiations.
This acquisition is part of the development
strategy of Orange Business Services as a global player in the
digital transformation and a leader across the value chain of data
services.
"The acquisition of Business
& Decision and of its expertise in business intelligence and
data science will significantly strengthen Orange Business
Services' operations in data analysis and governance in France and
internationally, and will strengthen our knowledge of our
customers' businesses, a key lever for accelerating the
digital transformation of our enterprise customers," explains
Thierry Bonhomme, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Orange
Group in charge of Orange Business Services.
"Business & Decision's staff and customers
will benefit from the extent of Orange Business Services' skills as
operator and integrator in the Internet of Things, cloud computing,
cybersecurity and applications development, as well as from the
global reach of its marketing and sales network to support
multinationals throughout the world. Business & Decision's
values, that were so dear to the company's founder Patrick
Bensabat, are focused on the respect of employees and clients.
These same values will now contribute to the success of Orange
while providing all the expertise and skills of its teams", says
Jean-Louis Didier, Chairman and CEO of Business & Decision.
The deal is expected to close early 2018.
About Orange
Orange is one of the world's leading
telecommunications operators with sales of 40,9 billion euros in
2016 and 153,000 employees worldwide at 30 June 2017, including
94,000 employees in France. Present in 29 countries, the Group has
a total customer base of 269 million customers worldwide at 30 June
2017, including 207 million mobile customers and 19 million
fixed broadband customers. Orange is also a leading provider of
global IT and telecommunication services to multinational
companies, under the brand Orange Business Services. In March 2015,
the Group presented its new strategic plan "Essentials2020" which
places customer experience at the heart of its strategy with the
aim of allowing them to benefit fully from the digital universe and
the power of its new generation networks.
Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA)
and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN).
For more information on the internet and on your mobile:
www.orange.com, www.orange-business.com or to follow us on Twitter:
@orangegrouppr.
Orange and any other Orange product or service
names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange
Brand Services Limited.
About Business &
Decision
Business & Decision, a global consulting and systems
integration group, is a leader in Business Intelligence (BI) and
CRM, and a major player in e-Business. The Group leverages a unique
combination of technical, functional and industry specialisation,
as well as partnerships with all of the key software vendors,
to deliver maximum-value projects and help clients break
through barriers to innovation such as Big
Data and digital transformation. Business & Decision
operates in 12 countries and employs over 2,500 people in France
and
worldwide.
For more information, join us on www.group.businessdecision.com
Press contacts:
Orange
Group: +33 1 44 44 93 93
Tom Wright; tom.wright@orange.com |
Business
& Decision: +33 1 56 21 21 20
Safa Baghai; safa.baghai@businessdecision.com |
PR_Orange_BusinessDecision_EN_261017.doc
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The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely
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information contained therein.
Source: Orange via Globenewswire
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