Broadcom to acquire Brocade for $5.9 Bn

Broadcom today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Broadcom will acquire Brocade, a leader in Fibre Channel storage area network (FC SAN) switching and IP networking, for $12.75 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $5.5 billion, plus $0.4 billion of net debt.

Broadcom, with the support of Brocade, plans to divest Brocade’s IP Networking business, consisting of wireless and campus networking, data center switching and routing, and software networking solutions.

"This strategic acquisition enhances Broadcoms position as one of the leading providers of enterprise storage connectivity solutions to OEM customers," stated Hock Tan, president and chief executive officer, Broadcom.

"With deep expertise in mission-critical storage networking, Brocade increases our ability to address the evolving needs of our OEM customers. In addition, we are confident that we will find a great home for Brocades valuable IP networking business that will best position that business for its next phase of growth," added Tan.

"This transaction represents significant value for our shareholders, who will receive a 47% premium from the Brocade closing share price on Friday, October 28, 2016, and creates new opportunities for our customers and partners," said Lloyd Carney, chief executive officer, Brocade.

"We will work with Broadcom as it seeks to find a buyer for our IP Networking business which includes a full portfolio of open, hardware and software-based solutions spanning the core of the data center to the network edge," added Carney.

The board of directors of Brocade and the executive committee of the board of directors of Broadcom have unanimously approved the transaction, which is presently expected to close in the second half of Broadcoms fiscal year 2017 which commenced on October 31, 2016, subject to regulatory approvals in various jurisdictions, customary closing conditions as well as the approval of Brocade’s stockholders.