Nou, zoveel is er uiteindelijk ook niet op verdiend. In totaal heeft de overname Via dik 10mio gekost in 2004 en tot half 2007 was er in Europa geen bedrijf dat slecht gedraaid heeft, dus ook de Amen-business is automatisch meer waard geworden.
Ik blijf ervan overtuigd, dat de overname van Amen destijds (en ook PSInet) een 4-voudige opzet had :
1) de aandacht afleiden dat het eigenlijk met Via zelf heel slecht ging
2) het kopen van winstgevende omzet, in een poging om als geheel wel beter te gaan presteren
3) het verzorgen van een aardige overnamebonus voor het management van Amen/PSInet
4) ervoor zorgen dat Claranet/Interoute goedkoop aan Amen en PSInet konden komen, door Via zich zó diep in te schulden te laten steken, dat ze daar nooit meer uit konden komen.
Zie onderstaand bericht uit 2004. $ 1,94, dat waren nog eens tijden....
Amor Arrows - 30 jan 04, 03:22 | Reageer | Quote | Zoek | Aanbevolen: 0
Press Release Source: VIA NET.WORKS, Inc.
VIA NET.WORKS Announces Acquisition of Amen S.A.S, Combined Businesses Now Serve More Than 200,000 Customers in Europe and the US
Wednesday January 28, 4:10 pm ET
New Profitable Revenues and Expected Operational Synergies Support VIA's Drive to Achieve Cash-Flow Breakeven in 2004
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VIA NET.WORKS, Inc. (Nasdaq: VNWI; EASE), a leading provider of business communications solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), today announced the acquisition of the European web hosting company Amen, based in Paris, France. Amen (www.amenworld.com) is an industry leader in providing value-priced hosting solutions to the SME market in France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy.
Rhett Williams, VIA's Chief Executive Officer, in commenting on the acquisition, stated: "Amen significantly strengthens our VIA Express business unit's drive to provide flexible and innovative products to multi-sector SMEs through hassle-free on-line sales and customer support tools."
Mr. Williams continued: "In addition to positioning VIA as a leader in shared hosting, we see a number of direct benefits that Amen brings to VIA:
* Amen's fully-automated and scaleable end-to-end operating platform will
allow us to achieve meaningful cost and operational synergies through
the migration of our existing shared hosting customers onto Amen's more
cost-efficient platform,
* The Amen platform further enhances our ability to enter new geographic
markets with superior service offerings and low incremental investment,
* Existing management will continue in the business to further drive its
success,
* Finally, Amen is immediately financially accretive to us and delivers a
cash generating pre-paid business model."
Patrick Chassany, spokesman for Amen, commented, "The acquisition of Amen by VIA NET.WORKS is an excellent strategic fit for both companies. By leveraging Amen's scaleable and flexible platforms together with VIA's existing hosting customers and geographic presence, the combined business is well positioned to take advantage of the growth expected in hosting and related applications over the coming years."
VIA paid a total of Euros 6 million in cash and Euros 1 million in VIA common stock at closing. The selling shareholders will have the opportunity to receive further consideration (est. between Euros 1.0--2.5 million) in cash and VIA common stock, based on the 2004 operating performance of the Amen business. The Amen group is expected to contribute approximately Euros 7 million in revenue to the VIA group in 2004.
Mr. Williams further stated, "From a strategic perspective, Amen marks the first significant step for VIA's pro-active acquisition program as we build on the operational improvements made during 2003 and drive for sustainable profitability and free cash flow. This is the first proof-point of our commitment to pursue acquisitions that complement our business strategy and deliver immediate benefits to our customers and shareholders
bron: Yahoo
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p.s. Heb vandaag bijgekocht op $1.90 & $1.85
Close & after hours $1.94