Avnet Got Definitively Horizon Technology

Avnet, Inc. announced today, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Avnet (Holdings) Limited, that its offer for Horizon Technology Group plc  has been declared unconditional in all respects. As had been previously announced, all shareholders of Horizon will receive €1.18 per share, which equates to an equity value of approximately €98.5 million ($156.1 million). Horizon is a leading technical integrator and distributor of information technology products in the UK and Ireland. The transaction is expected to be accretive to earnings by approximately $0.10 per share in FY2009, excluding integration charges, and supports Avnet’s long-term return on capital goals.

John Paget, global president of Avnet Technology Solutions, commented: “The acquisition strengthens our competitive position in the UK IT distribution market by expanding our product line in high growth segments including storage, networking and security. It also expands our geographic coverage into the IT distribution market in Ireland with a suite of services and capabilities that support our strategy to deliver complete solutions that meet the increasingly complex requirements of our customer base.”

Horizon has grown to become one of the leading systems integration and distribution companies in the UK and Ireland. Horizon’s distribution business markets enterprise server, storage, networking, security and communications products from leading vendors including Sun Microsystems, EMC, F5 Networks, Juniper, IBM, Nortel, Oracle and Tandberg. In addition to the traditional distribution business, its Client Solutions business unit partners with major software vendors including BMC, Microstrategy and SAP to provide a full range of development and implementation services. In 2007, Horizon had total sales of €288 million and EBITDA of €10.7 million before unusual items. Horizon will be integrated into Avnet’s European Technology Solutions business.

Dick Borsboom, president of Avnet Technology Solutions EMEA, added: “By investing heavily in technical skills, Horizon has expanded their line card with tier one vendors and deepened their engagements with systems integrators, corporate resellers and managed service providers. The integration of Horizon’s talented employees and loyal customer base into Avnet Technology Solutions European operations will enhance our scale and scope advantages while providing additional cross-selling opportunities in the combined customer base.”