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Transactions

December 2014
Campbell, CA
has been acquired by
Englewood, CO


Background

Infonetics Research (“Infonetics” or “the Company”), based in Silicon Valley, California was a privately-owned provider of critical market intelligence on communications equipment, software and services to help clients plan, strategize, and compete in the global communications market. After nearly 25 years in business, Infonetics had been a success beyond the owner’s expectations. However, the Company had reached a point where the opportunities outweighed its ability to achieve them on a stand-alone basis. Further, the administrative burdens of running the business had become material. The owners concluded the Company would benefit it were to join with a larger strategic organization with expertise in the business information space. To that end, having observed Marlin & Associates (“M&A”) advise several other firms in the industry, Infonetics retained M&A to advise the owners as they considered strategic options including a sale of the Company.



Overview

M&A established a focused, dedicated team of experienced bankers to aid management in the preparation of materials that highlighted Infonetics’ strengths and opportunities in a large and growing market. One challenge was that the Company, without any outside investors or bank loans, had never been required to develop interim or forecast financial information to present to third parties. M&A leveraged its deep sector knowledge and direct experience with many industry participants to craft targeted, descriptive information and to help the Company to develop cogent financial forecasts. Once we were ready, M&A developed a focused list of potential acquirers, navigating a fine divide between including a sufficient number of relevant strategic parties and maintaining the highest standard of confidentiality and discretion in a highly-strategic transaction. Before soliciting offers, M&A spent considerable time with interested qualified parties to ensure that they fully understood the unique value proposition of Infonetics.

Following careful consideration of the options and some preliminary negotiations, the owners agreed to sell Infonetics to IHS (NYSE:IHS), a publically traded company based in Englewood, CO that provides information, insight, and analytics to global businesses. The managers of IHS and the owners of Infonetics agreed that Infonetics’ existing offerings were an excellent strategic fit with IHS’s Technology Division. In addition, IHS’s plans for future products and integration of Infonetics employees aligned with the desires of the owners.

The acquisition of Infonetics helped IHS to expand its global view of the information and communication technology (ICT) supply chain, which was a significant strategic priority for IHS. At the same time, Infonetics’ customers, employees and owners benefited from the transaction with a broader product line, increased resources, and enhanced career opportunities. The transaction also allowed the owners to reduce financial risk while continuing to guide the company within IHS.  

M&A Role

M&A worked to prepare materials, initiate discussions, negotiate alternative offers, manage due diligence reviews, and coordinate the preparation of final legal documents. M&A acted as exclusive strategic and financial advisor to the shareholders and management of Infonetics.

Press

IHS Announces Acquisition of Infonetics Research, a Global Leader in Communications Technology Market Intelligence

December 17, 2014

Acquisition establishes strong presence for IHS Technology in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (December 16, 2014) – IHS Inc. (NYSE: IHS), a leading global source of critical information and insight, today announced it has acquired Infonetics Research, an international market research firm that serves the global communications market. 

Based in Silicon Valley, Infonetics Research provides market intelligence on equipment, software and services to clients in more than 20 countries. Its intelligence services span 21 markets across the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) space, including cybersecurity, core and transport networking, broadband, mobile, digital TV, data center, cloud, the Internet of Things, and others. One of the most influential research firms in the telecomm and IT industry, Infonetics is frequently first to market with intelligence on emerging technology segments, such as the rapidly evolving software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) markets. 

Combined with its other recent acquisitions, the addition of Infonetics gives IHS a global, end-to-end view of the ICT supply chain, from semiconductors, components and digital displays to enterprise and service provider networking, to consumer electronics and mobile devices. 

The acquisition of Infonetics presents a significant opportunity for IHS Technology to establish a strong presence in the ICT space, an arena with high strategic value for IHS, said Scott Key, president and chief executive officer of IHS. 

“Infonetics’ unique area of research represents non-overlapping growth potential for us,” Key said. “Its focus on telecomm and IT markets is a good fit with other IHS Technology products and services. Importantly, Infonetics also has a proven, 25-year track record of strong revenue growth, with 80 percent of its revenue being recurring in nature. Clearly, Infonetics represents an excellent match for IHS as we advance our capabilities in the growing sector for ICT products and services.” 

J’Amy Stewart, CEO and co-founder of Infonetics, said: “The synergy between IHS and Infonetics is significant. IHS has a global salesforce in 32 countries, very complementary technology coverage, and the majority of the Global Fortune 500 and U.S. Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Infonetics has a meticulous research methodology that can be scaled and market coverage that rounds out the IHS ICT portfolio. We couldn’t have found a better partner and we couldn’t be more thrilled.” 

Infonetics -- along with IHS -- are ranked by Apollo Research as two of the top five most quoted analyst firms that cover the U.S. technology sector. Headquartered in Campbell, Calif., Infonetics maintains an office in the Boston area as well as a presence in Europe and Asia. A total of 46 Infonetics employees will join IHS, including four members of the company’s founding family. 

About IHS (www.ihs.com)

IHS (NYSE: IHS) is the leading source of insight, analytics and expertise in critical areas that shape today’s business landscape. Businesses and governments in more than 150 countries around the globe rely on the comprehensive content, expert independent analysis and flexible delivery methods of IHS to make high-impact decisions and develop strategies with speed and confidence. IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is committed to sustainable, profitable growth and employs about 8,800 people in 32 countries around the world. 

IHS is a registered trademark of IHS Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. © 2014 IHS Inc. All rights reserved. 

About Infonetics Research  (www.infonetics.com)

Infonetics Research is an international market research and consulting firm serving the communications industry since 1990. A leader in defining and tracking emerging and established technologies in all world regions, Infonetics helps clients plan, strategize and compete more effectively.  

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