Creating The Largest Digital Content Management and Multi-media Software
Delivery Capability in the World
READING, England, Nov. 27 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Atex Group Limited
(Atex), backed by the Norwegian investment company Kistefos AS, a leading
provider of software solutions and services to the global media industry,
has today agreed to acquire the business assets of Unisys Media, a part of
Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS).
Unisys Media provides large-scale news production, wire service
management and digital asset management solutions to leading publishing
organizations around the world. Its installed base includes more than 225
newspapers in 15 countries.
John Hawkins, Atex Group CEO, said, "Atex is delighted to have reached
agreement with Unisys on this strategic acquisition. It will strengthen our
market penetration, especially in those parts of the world where, to date,
we have not been as strong as we would have wished. Both companies share
almost identical product road maps and this deal will enable us to
accelerate development of solutions for the benefit of all our publisher
partners.
"We will confidently offer ten-year support contracts, including
upgrades for current products, guaranteeing long-term value of all clients'
software investments.
"We did not take this decision lightly," stated Glenn James, president,
Unisys Global Communications & Media. "We wanted to make sure that Unisys
Media will be going to a safe pair of hands, and it is. Atex has a more than
thirty-year history in providing publishers with robust, mission-critical
content management, advertising, circulation and business systems. The
synergy between the organizations, SOA technologies, skills, and shared
vision of the people, will make this agreement beneficial for all concerned.
It also provides our clients with the security of knowing that they will be
in partnership with the world's largest publishing software solutions
provider.
"Under John Hawkins' leadership, the enlarged Atex will be able to bring
to market even more quickly the technologies and services the industry needs
in order to meet its many challenges," added Mr. James.
Atex has raised in excess of $50 million US dollars to fund the Unisys
Media acquisition, providing adequate working capital to fund the enlarged
group and ensuring the effective integration of the two businesses. Going
forward, Atex will be looking at further acquisitions that fit its strategy,
namely, to be the No. 1 global vendor to the Media Industry.
Together with all of the Unisys Media employees set to transfer to Atex,
the company will employ nearly 500 people, creating the largest digital
content management and multi-media software delivery capability in the
world, generating global revenues in excess of $90 million US dollars.
Unisys had previously announced plans to divest businesses not central
to its core strategy.
"As publishing organizations continue to consolidate, Atex has the
strength and desire to continue to consolidate the vendor community," John
Hawkins concluded. "Publishing groups worldwide need, more than ever, the
benefit of an innovative, truly global and strong cross-media technology
partner. Atex is that partner."
About Atex Group Limited:
Atex, backed by Kistefos AS for the last 10 years, has been a leading
provider of software solutions and services to the global media industry for
more than 30 years. The company has over $300 million USD of software
installed worldwide, and supports in excess of 500 publishers, and thousands
of titles, in more than 30 countries.
As well as significant investment in R&D, the company partners with
world-leading complementary solutions providers, including Mediaspectrum,
Inc. and IBM Business Consulting Services, adding tight integration, Web
services, and long-term support from a global network of strategically
located local offices. Atex is headquartered in Reading, UK, and may be
found on the Web at: http://www.atex.com .
About Unisys:
Unisys is a worldwide technology services and solutions company. Its
consultants apply Unisys expertise in consulting, systems integration,
outsourcing, infrastructure, and server technology to help its clients
achieve secure business operations. Unisys builds more secure organizations
by creating visibility into clients' business operations. Leveraging the
Unisys 3D Visible Enterprise approach, the company makes visible the impact
of their decisions - ahead of investments, opportunities, and risks. For
more information, visit http://www.unisys.com .
