Richard White by Brent Lewin/Bloomberg
Australian shipping software company WiseTech Global Ltd. made its biggest ever acquisition, agreeing to buy E2open Parent Holdings Inc. in a deal that values the U.S. firm at $2.1 billion.
The acquisition is the first major move by founder Richard White since he assumed the role of executive chairman in February following months of turmoil after revelations about his private life and relationships with staff and suppliers. That roiled the stock and prompted Australia’s largest pension fund to dump its stake in the company.
WiseTech will pay $3.30 per share for E2open, a 28% premium to its May 23 closing price in New York. The acquisition will be fully funded through a new debt facility, WiseTech said in a statement May 26.
The acquisition will add about 5,600 customers to WiseTech and is expected to add to earnings-per-share in the first year, WiseTech said. E2open employs some 4,000 people, and had revenue of $608 million in the fiscal year ended February. The deal is by far WiseTech’s largest expansion — in the past 10 years it has made 55 acquisitions for a total value of $1.2 billion, according to an investor presentation.
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“This is a pivotal moment in WiseTech’s development,” White said on an investor call May 26, adding that it is a “huge step” toward the company’s goal of being the operating system of choice for global trade and logistics.
He pointed out that while the global trade and logistics market is worth more than $11 trillion, software spending is less than 1% of the sector, presenting the opportunity to deliver significant value with even small cost savings.
WiseTech creates software that helps companies from shippers to logistics companies plan and manage the flow of goods around the world, from tracking containers to dealing with customs. Buying E2Open will give WiseTech the ability to connect every step of the supply chain process, from order to fulfillment, White said.
WiseTech was advised by Bank of America Corp., Barrenjoey, Macquarie Capital and Gresham, while E2open was advised by Rothschild & Co.
The lender group for WiseTech’s new $3 billion debt facility comprises Bank of America, Barclays Plc, Deutsche Bank AG, HSBC Holdings Plc, ING Groep NV, National Australia Bank Ltd., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and Westpac Banking Corp.
