High-performance computer maker SGI has decided to buy SGI for $18 million in cash. Yes, you read that correctly.
Fremont, Calif.-based SGI, once a power in the desktop workstation
business as Silicon Graphics Inc., revealed March 9 that it has
acquired all outstanding shares of its namesake, SGI Japan, Ltd., from
a consortium of investors. Those include NEC, Sony, Canon Marketing
Japan, and Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities.
Even though they shared the same name, the two companies were not interacting on a regular basis.
SGI currently produces high-end custom servers, storage arrays, and
video-related software -- mostly for military and government customers.
The purchase price of $17.9 million also includes $27 million of net
working capital. SGI previously owned 10.4 percent of SGI Japan.
SGI intends the acquisition to serve as a strategic entry into the
large technical computing market of Japan, the company said. SGI Japan
operates primarily as a sales and service organization.
The acquisition, which closed on March 9, is expected to add more
than 400 customers in vertical markets that include government,
manufacturing, telecommunications, media and education. SGI will add
272 employees from the current SGI Japan staff.
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