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Deel Buys Device Management Startup Hofy in a ‘Win-Win’ Acquisition

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News on HR 6 ArdorComm Media Group Deel Buys Device Management Startup Hofy in a ‘Win-Win’ Acquisition

The HR tech sector is currently booming, with investment rounds and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) continuing at a brisk pace. The latest news comes from Deel, which has made its third acquisition this year. Read on to find out more about Deel’s purchase of Hofy and what it means for both companies’ existing HR customers. The HR tech market remains robust and resilient despite challenging macroeconomic conditions. Investments into the sector continued unabated, as do HR tech mergers and acquisitions (M&As). The latest M&A news comes from global HR company Deel – it has acquired Hofy, a London-based device management startup. Hofy enables its 700 customers across the world (including Canva, Veeva, and Fujitsu) to equip their teams with work devices in just one click. Hofy also manages the entire lifecycle of the company device. The Hofy acquisition is Deel’s third acquisition in 2024 – back in the spring, Deel bought German performance management company Zavvy and Africa-based payroll giant PaySpace. The latest news with Hofy is a full circle moment for its Co-Founder and CPO Michael Ginzo – he was an early employee at Deel and left in 2020 to start Hofy. A Bright Future for Deel and Hofy? Founded in 2019, Deel has seen impressive growth over the past five years – it now employs 4,000 people in 100 countries, has raised $630 million, has reached a $12 billion valuation, and has $500 million in annual recurring revenue. Deel helps 35,000 companies look after their teams – standout customers include Nike, BCG, Shopify, and Calvin Klein. UNLEASH was keen to find out why purchasing Hofy was the right next move for Deel and its customers. Speaking exclusively to UNLEASH, Deel’s Co-Founder and CEO Alex Bouaziz shares: “By bringing Hofy’s best-in-class services and device lifecycle management in-house, we hope to simplify global business complexities for our customers with a unified platform that handles everything from device delivery and management to software provisioning and app access. Now we’ll be able to handle this in 120+ countries – it’s going to radically simplify device management and IT support for global teams.” For Bouaziz, Deel’s purchase of Hofy is “another way we’re building a simpler, more consolidated infrastructure for global companies and their teams.” Hofy’s Ginzo also spoke to UNLEASH – he adds: “Hofy and Deel share a vision of simplifying hybrid work – including facilitating remote workforces with a hassle-free onboarding experience. I saw a massive opportunity in the global hiring movement when I was working at Deel on the product team. Hofy has helped meet this demand by delivering and managing devices in 120+ countries around the world. We’ve seen huge growth, and now it’s time to take that to the next level. With Hofy joining Deel, customers will be able to enjoy all the benefits of our device management platform, alongside Deel’s compliance, payroll, HRIS, immigration, and people management products. It’s a win-win, and we couldn’t be happier to combine forces.”  

FTC Requests More Information on $6.4B IBM Planned Acquisition of HashiCorp

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News on HR 5 ArdorComm Media Group FTC Requests More Information on $6.4B IBM Planned Acquisition of HashiCorp

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has made a “second request” for additional information around IBM’s (IBM) plan to acquire cloud software company HashiCorp (HCP) for $6.4 billion. HashiCorp said Monday that it received the request last week, and the companies plan to “promptly respond to the Second Request and to continue working cooperatively with the FTC.” IBM and HashiCorp still expect the acquisition to be completed by the end of 2024, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). FTC Assessing Competitive Impacts of Deal The FTC defines a “second request” as part of the deal monitoring process that “typically asks for business documents and data that will inform the agency about the company’s products or services, market conditions where the company does business, and the likely competitive effects of the merger.” HashiCorp did not disclose what information or documents the agency requested, but the review suggests the FTC could have concerns about whether the acquisition would be harmful to competition in the cloud computing space. The deal was originally announced in April, with the sides also stating at the time that it was expected to close by the end of 2024. IBM said in announcing the deal that it was the next step in the company’s “deep focus and investment in hybrid cloud and AI.” Latest in String of FTC Investigative Moves Under the Biden administration, the FTC has stepped up its enforcement efforts, taking a more stringent approach to antitrust policy under Chair Lina Khan. Energy giants Marathon Oil (MRO) and ConocoPhillips (COP) said Friday that they had recently received a second request from the FTC over a deal announced in May that would see ConocoPhillips pay $22.5 billion to acquire Marathon. IBM shares were up less than 1% at $184.35 as of about 11:45 a.m. ET Monday. HashiCorp stock was down less than 1% at $33.44.

Cognizant to Pay $1.3 Billion in Belcan Acquisition

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News on HR 2 ArdorComm Media Group Cognizant to Pay $1.3 Billion in Belcan Acquisition

The engineering resources and development company will slot in as a Cognizant operating unit. IT consultancy and reseller Cognizant signaled its high priority for engineering services by announcing its intent to acquire Belcan. New Jersey-based Cognizant is buying Belcan from private equity investor AE Industrial Partners for about $1.3 billion in stock and cash. The deal, which reportedly would add $800 million in annualized revenue, would close in the third quarter of 2024. Belcan will keep its name and function as a Cognizant operating unit. Both companies say the engineering resource and development (ER&D) market is hot right now. Cognizant, in its announcement, estimated the ER&D services market at $190 billion currently, with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10%. Cognizant, in a news release, said adding Belcan will improve its existing Internet of Things (IoT) and digital engineering practices. But perhaps more importantly, Cognizant is expanding its vertical expertise into aerospace and defense and adding Belcan’s “blue-chip client base.” Cognizant, on the other hand, can offer IT solutions around AI, cloud, and data to Belcan’s customers, Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar said. Google Cloud recently recognized Cognizant for its work in data analytics, and Microsoft recognized it for intelligent automation. “We see the opportunity to immediately accelerate revenue growth and create compelling shareholder value through our combined engineering capabilities,” Kumar said. “Belcan’s clients would gain access to Cognizant’s full suite of technology services, while Cognizant’s clients across the manufacturing, automotive, energy, and high-tech sectors we believe will benefit from Belcan’s engineering skills.” The combined company would employ more than 6,500 engineers and technical consultants, Cognizant said. Cognizant, in late 2023, bought ServiceNow partner Thirdera. Belcan Acquisition History Cincinnati, Ohio-based Belcan launched in 1958 and won key contracts over the years with Procter & Gamble and General Electric. Aerospace and industrial vertical-focused AE bought Belcan in 2015 for an undisclosed sum. The PE firm went on to tuck in 17 acquisitions into Belcan, including software engineering company Avista and workforce management solutions provider RTM Consulting. Belcan CEO Lance Kwasniewski will continue to lead Belcan as a Cognizant operating unit. “We are excited about this unique combination and the value creation it will bring to our customers, along with the opportunities it will provide for our employees. Cognizant will better position our team to capitalize on compelling tailwinds, including increasing outsourced ER&D spend, the transformative impact of digital engineering adoption rates, robust commercial aerospace demand, and favorable long-term defense and space spending,” Kwasniewski said. “Belcan’s experienced team has built a growth-oriented business delivering highly complex, mission-critical, scalable services to our long-standing customer base. I look forward to continuing to lead our team as we unite and leverage Belcan’s and Cognizant’s comprehensive services and cross-industry clientele to execute on our collective strategy, ultimately earning the role of our clients’ most trusted partner in intelligent engineering.” Cognizant drove $19.4 billion in fiscal year 2023 revenue.

United States Steel and Nippon Steel Receive International Regulatory Approvals for Acquisition

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News on HR ArdorComm Media Group United States Steel and Nippon Steel Receive International Regulatory Approvals for Acquisition

Pittsburgh-based United States Steel Corp. and Japan-based Nippon Steel Corp. (NSC) have announced that the proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel by NSC has received all necessary regulatory approvals outside the United States. The approvals include those from the Directorate-General for Competition of the European Commission, the Mexican Federal Economic Competition Commission, the Serbian Competition Commission, the Ministry of Economy of Slovakia, and the Turkish Competition Authority. Additionally, the United Kingdom Competition and Markets Authority confirmed that it had no further questions regarding the proposed transaction following the submission of a voluntary briefing paper by U.S. Steel and NSC. David B. Burritt, president and CEO of U.S. Steel, stated, “We are pleased with the regulatory approvals received, as they are a clear indication that the transaction with Nippon Steel is pro-competitive and supports the strategic merits of foreign investment.” He added that the deal is beneficial for American steel, jobs, and the country’s alliance with Japan against China. Takahiro Mori, vice chair of the board of NSC, remarked, “We appreciate this significant milestone of receiving regulatory approvals necessary to consummate the transaction from all non-U.S. authorities. Our goal for this transaction has been clear and consistent – to protect and grow U.S. Steel.” In the United States, several politicians, including likely nominees in the 2024 presidential election, have expressed opposition to the deal, citing job protection and national security concerns. In April, 71 percent of the outstanding shares of U.S. Steel common stock voted in favor of the proposed transaction, representing 99 percent of the shareholders who cast a vote. Despite the opposition in the U.S., both companies expect the transaction to be completed in the second half of this year, subject to the fulfillment of the remaining customary closing conditions, including the receipt of required U.S. regulatory approvals.

Sodalis Group Acquires Majority Stake in Germany’s Artdeco Group

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News on HR 3 ArdorComm Media Group Sodalis Group Acquires Majority Stake in Germany’s Artdeco Group

While the financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, it’s understood that Sodalis Group will obtain more than an 80 percent stake in the firm. The transaction is anticipated to be finalized by early June, pending necessary clearance from antitrust authorities. Founded in 1985 by Helmut Baurecht, Artdeco Group comprises three brands: Artdeco, Make up Factory, and Anny. Artdeco, the flagship makeup label, is a prominent name in the German selective makeup market, known for its affordable pricing and extensive product range. The brand enjoys widespread presence, with over 90 percent of German perfumeries and department stores carrying its products. In 2023, the brand contributed to 84 percent of the group’s total sales, which amounted to 72 million euros, marking a 16 percent year-over-year increase. This acquisition represents a strategic move by Sodalis Group to strengthen its presence in the health, beauty, and personal care sector and expand its portfolio with established brands in the German market.

Akamai Doubles Down on API Security With $450M Noname Acquisition Deal

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News on HR 1 1 ArdorComm Media Group Akamai Doubles Down on API Security With $450M Noname Acquisition Deal

Akamai Technologies has announced its acquisition of API security firm Noname Security for $450 million, aiming to extend protection across all API traffic locations. The acquisition underscores Akamai’s commitment to enhancing API security by focusing on improved discovery of “shadow” APIs and detection of API vulnerabilities and attacks. This strategic move comes as Akamai showcases its security offerings at the RSA Conference 2024 in San Francisco. Tom Leighton, Co-Founder and CEO of Akamai, highlighted the company’s strong results in API security, citing prior success with the acquisition of Neosec. He emphasized the increasing interest among enterprise CISOs and CIOs in bolstering API security, noting that many organizations are unaware of all the APIs within their infrastructure. Noname Security, founded in 2020, was acquired for less than half of its $1 billion valuation achieved in late 2021. Despite its relatively short history, the startup had secured substantial funding, totaling at least $220 million. The acquisition of Noname Security by Akamai is expected to be finalized in the second quarter of the year, further solidifying Akamai’s position in the API security market.  

Sunoco Completes Acquisition of NuStar Energy L.P. and Announces Quarterly Distribution Increase

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News on HR 1 ArdorComm Media Group Sunoco Completes Acquisition of NuStar Energy L.P. and Announces Quarterly Distribution Increase

Sunoco has successfully completed the acquisition of NuStar Energy L.P. The merger received approval from NuStar unitholders during a Special Meeting held on May 1, 2024. As of May 3, 2024, NuStar’s common units have ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange. This strategic acquisition significantly bolsters Sunoco’s stability, credit profile, and financial foundation. The transaction is expected to yield a minimum of $150 million in expense and commercial synergies, with an additional $50 million per year of cash flow from refinancing activities anticipated. Sunoco anticipates immediate accretion to distributable cash flow per LP unit, with accretion projected to exceed 10% by the third year post-close. Additionally, Sunoco’s Board of Directors has approved a quarterly distribution for the first quarter of 2024, amounting to $0.8756 per common unit, or $3.5024 per common unit on an annualized basis. The distribution is slated for payment on May 20, 2024, to common unitholders of record as of May 13, 2024, inclusive of former NuStar unitholders who received Sunoco common units following the merger. This 4% increase in quarterly distribution, following last year’s 2% rise, underscores Sunoco’s ongoing confidence in its business and future distribution growth. Sunoco will delve into further details regarding the NuStar acquisition and distribution increase during its first quarter 2024 conference call scheduled for May 8, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time.

Sony Pictures Entertainment and Apollo Global Discuss Possible Joint Bid for Paramount Global

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News on MEA

Sony Pictures Entertainment and Apollo Global Management are in discussions regarding a potential joint bid for Paramount Global, according to reports from the New York Times and sources familiar with the matter. While the conversations are ongoing, several challenges must be addressed before a formal offer can be made. Apollo Global Management had previously considered solo bids for Paramount Global, including a $26 billion offer and an $11 billion offer for the Paramount Pictures film studio. However, Paramount Global is currently engaged in exclusive negotiations with Skydance Media, exploring a merger that would integrate Paramount into Skydance under the leadership of Skydance CEO David Ellison. Paramount Global has established a special committee to evaluate offers and options, expressing reservations about Apollo’s bids due to concerns about regulatory approval and the potential impact of a financial buyer on the company’s assets. The proposed joint bid between Sony and Apollo entails Sony Corp. contributing Sony Pictures Entertainment to the joint venture, with both parties providing cash to facilitate the transaction. Sony would emerge as the majority owner of the combined entity, which would also include CBS. However, structuring the deal would require careful consideration, particularly regarding FCC regulations concerning foreign ownership of broadcast TV stations, given CBS’s ownership of 28 TV stations. While a representative for Apollo has yet to comment on the discussions, a Sony spokesman declined to provide further details. If successful, the partnership between Sony and Apollo would mark a significant shift for Sony Corp., which has maintained a Hollywood presence for over three decades. This potential move comes amid ongoing speculation about Sony’s commitment to its Hollywood investment. Meanwhile, the Skydance scenario involves keeping Paramount Global as a publicly traded entity, with Skydance and RedBird Capital Partners injecting capital to alleviate its substantial debt burden. The transaction would also usher in a change in leadership, with David Ellison assuming the role of CEO. However, concerns have been raised by some shareholders regarding the potential enrichment of controlling shareholder Shari Redstone in the Skydance deal. Skydance and RedBird are reportedly planning a roadshow to garner support from common shareholders, although the addition of Sony to the negotiations may complicate matters.

Airbus Abandons Potential Acquisition of Atos Data Division, Leaving Atos in Limbo

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News on HR 3 1 ArdorComm Media Group Airbus Abandons Potential Acquisition of Atos Data Division, Leaving Atos in Limbo

Atos, an IT services company facing financial challenges, has hit another roadblock in its attempt to sell off part of its business to address its debt issues. Airbus, a potential acquirer of Atos’s big data and security business, has decided to walk away from the deal after completing its due diligence investigation. The failure of this deal has led Atos to once again postpone the release of its audited financial statement for 2023 as it reassesses its options. This setback adds to the company’s existing challenges, as it has already faced difficulties in finalizing a deal with another potential buyer, EP Equity Investment, for its infrastructure management business. Although Airbus might have seemed like an unlikely savior, given its expertise in cybersecurity and data management through its own operations, the potential synergies between the two companies did not materialize into a successful acquisition. Despite Atos’s efforts to explore strategic alternatives, including the possibility of another buyer, the company finds itself in a state of uncertainty. Atos now faces the task of bringing together its legacy and modern business segments while navigating its financial difficulties and evaluating its strategic options. The company’s CEO, Paul Saleh, has not ruled out the possibility of seeking another buyer for its assets. However, the uncertainty surrounding Atos’s future, compounded by concerns over national security implications and its contracts with the French Ministry of Defense, poses challenges for the company’s clients and its ability to attract new business. As Atos continues to grapple with its financial woes and search for a path forward, the outcome of its strategic evaluations will be closely watched by stakeholders, including CIOs in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and defense that rely on Atos’s services.

Centre Raises Threshold for Merger and Acquisition Vetting by Competition Commission of India

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News on HR 11 ArdorComm Media Group Centre Raises Threshold for Merger and Acquisition Vetting by Competition Commission of India

The Corporate Affairs Ministry has announced revisions to the thresholds for mergers and acquisitions (M&As), altering the criteria for exemption from Competition Commission of India (CCI) approval. Under the new regulations, companies are not obligated to notify the CCI if the target entity’s assets, including subsidiaries, amount to less than Rs 450 crore, with a turnover below Rs 1,250 crore. This represents an increase from the previous thresholds of Rs 350 crore for assets and Rs 1,000 crore for turnover. The Ministry has concurrently revised the ‘de-minimis’ or small target exemption threshold, which absolves certain M&As from CCI scrutiny. This exemption now applies to transactions where the asset value in India does not exceed Rs 350 crore or the revenue from India does not exceed Rs 1,000 crore. Vaibhav Choukse, partner and head of competition law at JSA Advocates and Solicitors, hailed the move as a significant step towards facilitating M&As in India, aligning with the government’s agenda of promoting ease of doing business. He noted the 150% increase in the existing thresholds under Section 5 of the Competition Act and the adjustment of De Minimis thresholds. Amit Agarwal, partner at Nangia & Co LLP, echoed Choukse’s sentiments, emphasizing the positive impact of the revisions on the ease of doing business and the M&A landscape in India. However, analysts caution that raising exemption limits may present challenges, particularly for startups in their initial years, which may not meet the asset or revenue criteria but could contribute substantially to acquiring companies post-deal. The example of Facebook’s acquisition of WhatsApp in 2014, which escaped CCI scrutiny due to threshold limitations, highlights the potential implications for competition in relevant markets. While the revisions aim to streamline M&A processes and foster business growth, they also underscore the need for vigilant oversight to ensure healthy competition and market dynamics are preserved, particularly in the digital sphere where transformative deals can have far-reaching consequences.