Extreme Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXTR) has entered into an asset purchase agreement for Avaya Networking, Inc. totaling $100 million, subject to adjustments. In January 2017, Avaya and certain of its subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Southern District of New York. Extreme Networks’ offer is subject to court approval. The company defined its offer in an 8K SEC filing on March 7, 2017 (http://dtn.fm/t3joR).
Extreme Networks, Inc. is a networking company based in San Francisco. It designs, builds and installs ethernet computer network products. It is a software-driven company that enables IT departments of clients to build stronger relationships with customers, employees, and partners. The company maintains more than 20,000 customers in some 80 countries. A key asset for Avaya is its award-winning fabric switching technology. Switching fabric typically includes data buffers.
Extreme Networks’ asset purchase agreement comes as a result of potential synergies with Avaya Networking, Inc., as identified by the EXTR management team. Extreme Networks believes it offers complementary products between the two businesses across the company’s vertical markets. For Extreme Networks’ clients, the deal, if court approved, would offer technology for edge switching environments in addition to secure access to Avaya’s data center. For Avaya, selling its networking business is seen by its management as a positive move, enabling it to focus on its unified communications core.
Extreme Networks believes that, if the offer is consummated, it could result in $200 million of added revenues annually. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to its own earnings and cash flow beginning in fiscal 2018. Extreme Networks intends to update its quarterly guidance and revenue if the acquisition is approved.
The tentative agreement remains subject to better offers, as Avaya plans to make a motion to the court to initiate a bidding and public auction process. On execution of the purchase agreement, Extreme Networks placed $10 million in escrow. Pending approval, these funds will be applied to the purchase of Avaya’s assets, but not to any of the firm’s liabilities. If the deal is not approved, Extreme Networks may be entitled to court-approved termination fees.
For more information, visit www.ExtremeNetworks.com
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