Atos announces €4.3 billion offer to acquire digital security specialist Gemalto

Atos, the global IT services company, has announced that it has made a formal proposal to acquire Gemalto, the Amsterdam-based digital security specialist, by way of a public offer for all of Gemalto issued and outstanding shares for €4.3 billion. Thierry Breton, Chairman and CEO of Atos, said: “Atos has been following closely, and with a lot of interest, the evolution of Gemalto as a leading player in digital cyber security, IoT and payment, and has long admired its global presence and strong customer and technology portfolios. We believe that a combination of Atos and Gemalto would result in enhanced global leadership in cybersecurity, digital technologies and services and in the strengthening of our positioning as a leading European payment services provider.” The terms of the proposal state that the acquisition of Gemalto shares will be entirely financed with Atos’s existing cash resources and fully committed external debt. Breton also explains that the IT services giant has carefully considered the interest of the stakeholders of the two groups, shareholders, employees, and customers which he says will all benefit from the proposed “friendly” transaction. According to the Financial Times, Breton also said that state-owned French investment bank Bpifrance, which is the largest shareholder in Gemalto, had given the offer its blessing.