Builds on contractual sales strategy and market shift to everything as a service
PALO ALTO, Calif., August 1, 2018 – HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Apogee Corporation, a U.K. based office equipment dealer (OED) and Europe’s largest independent provider of print, outsourced services, and document and process technology. The transaction values Apogee as of closing at £380M.
This acquisition furthers HP’s plan to disrupt the $55 billion A3 copier market and builds on its printing strategy to: enhance its A3 and A4 product portfolio; build differentiated solutions and tools to expand its Managed Print Services (MPS); and invest in its direct and indirect go-to-market (GTM) capabilities. This includes the selective acquisition of OEDs that provide access to increased profit pools from higher margin services.
“The Apogee acquisition extends HP’s print leadership by boldly leveraging the industry shift to contractual sales as we aggressively pursue the A3 office market,” said Enrique Lores, President, HP Imaging and Print. “We’re augmenting our go-to-market and enhancing our ability to deliver the services necessary to win in the profitable contractual market. This deal complements our broader channel strategy and HP remains committed to building our business through our best-in-class partner program.”
HP has been investing in the A3 business with strategic initiatives including the acquisition of Samsung’s printer business and the launch of a portfolio of superior A3 and A4 multi-function printers based on unique IP and value-added services and solutions. Today’s transaction expands HP’s services portfolio in contractual office printing and MPS categories, where solutions are increasingly important for small and medium businesses (SMBs).
Apogee is a profitable and progressive OED with a proven track record of growth. The company brings strong capabilities in contractual printing services and solutions, an experienced leadership team and access to SMB and mid-market customers.
The deal is expected to close by the end of calendar year 2018, pending regulatory review and other customary closing conditions.
Following the close, Apogee will operate as an independent subsidiary of HP, with a governing board comprised of HP and Apogee management. Apogee will have the same commercial relationship with HP as any other premium partner with access to the same tools and partner programs.
For more information on the transaction, please visit HP’s investor relations site.
About HP Inc.
HP Inc. creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our portfolio of printers, PCs, mobile devices, solutions, and services, we engineer experiences that amaze. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.
HP ANNOUNCES APOGEE ACQUISITION | August 1, 2018
Q. Why is HP acquiring Apogee?
Apogee is Europe’s largest independent provider of print, outsourced services and document and process technology. It is a large, profitable, and progressive office equipment dealer (OED) with a proven track record of growth. Apogee augments our existing go-to-market (GTM) channels, enhances our ability to deliver the solutions and services necessary to win in the contractual printing market, and helps grow our managed print service business.
Q. How does this transaction advance HP’s contractual print strategy?
The transaction is consistent with our strategy of increasing our presence in contractual business models in office printing where A3 represents a large growth opportunity. Apogee builds on the recent acquisition of Samsung’s printer business, that gave us the technology, intellectual property, and engineering capability to deliver a complete A3 portfolio. The Apogee acquisition provides access to new profit pools by expanding our ability to deliver value-added services and accelerates the deployment of our superior technology into the growing A3 contractual market.
Q. What are the synergies from the transaction?
Apogee brings strong capabilities in contractual printing solutions and services, tailored for small and medium businesses (SMBs) and mid-market customers, and an experienced leadership team. HP brings best-in-class products and technology across both A3 and A4 along with investments we have made to lower the overall costs to serve. Together, we have the opportunity to deliver greater value to customers and generate more contractual hardware, supplies and services revenue over time.
Q. How does this acquisition complement HP’s partner-first strategy?
We have one of the most comprehensive channel programs in the industry and our commitment to the channel has never been stronger. Today, more than 85% of HP’s business goes with, or through the channel, and the health of our company has an important connection to the success of our partners. We continue to invest in creating demand, providing our mutual customers with increased benefits, and ultimately accelerating growth in our mutual businesses. Apogee will be run as an independent subsidiary and have the same commercial relationship with HP as any other premium partner, with access to the same tools and programs.
Q. How will the independent structure work?
Apogee will be run as an independent subsidiary with a board comprised of Apogee and HP executives, and we expect the current management team will stay in place. Apogee will have the same commercial relationship with HP as any other premium partner with access to the same tools and programs. They will continue to sell and service solutions from multiple vendors.
Q. What is Apogee’s financial profile?
In calendar 2017, Apogee reported U.K. GAAP revenue of £208M and EBITDA of £30M, and they’ve had a strong track record of growth.
Q. What impact will Apogee have on HP’s financial results?
We expect the transaction to close by the end of calendar year 2018, pending regulatory review and other customary closing conditions. We expect to consolidate Apogee’s results within our Print segment and the deal to be accretive by approximately a penny on a non-GAAP basis in the first full year after close.
Q. Does the transaction impact HP’s approach to capital allocation?
Our approach to capital allocation remains unchanged. This acquisition is in line with our previously communicated M&A and capital allocation strategy. We look for companies that can help accelerate our strategy and drive shareholder value, and Apogee is consistent with this framework. In FY 2018, we continue to expect to return towards the higher end of the previously communicated range of 50% to 75% of free cash flow to shareholders through a combination of dividends and share repurchases.
Q. At what pace do you expect Apogee’s revenue mix to shift to HP?
The majority of Apogee’s revenue is generated under long-term contracts for the delivery and sale of hardware and services, including supplies and other printing and process related solutions. We see an attractive opportunity to win A3 and A4 business over time as contracts come up for renewal over the next few years.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP Inc. (“HP”) and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including the expected benefits and costs of the transaction; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the possibility that expected benefits may not materialize as expected; that the parties are unable to successfully implement integration strategies; and other risks that are described in HP’s SEC reports, including but not limited to the risks described in HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended October 31, 2017 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. HP’s Investor Relations website at http://www.hp.com/investor/home contains a significant amount of information about HP, including financial and other information for investors. HP encourages investors to visit its website from time to time, as information is updated and new information is posted.
© Copyright 2018 HP Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.