Atos and Bull have together announced the completion of the tender offer launched by Atos for all the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Bull. The transaction represents a milestone in the creation in Europe of a new force in Cloud, Cyber security, and Big Data.
As of the settlement date set on August 18, 2014, Atos will hold 84.25% of Bull's share capital and voting rights based on the total number of shares outstanding as of July 31, 2014, and 18.41% of the company's OCEANEs in circulation. The offer's success was subject to reaching a 50% + 1 share threshold of Bull's share capital and voting rights in accordance with the offer document approved by the AMF on June 24, 2014. This condition was met.
This combination should give the new entity the top position in Cloud services in Europe, create a brand in Big Data, and Cyber security services with over 2,000 dedicated staff and help it in Managed Services and Systems Integration.
Thierry Breton , Chairman and CEO of Atos said: "The success of the public offer represents a key step in our development project and I warmly welcome among us Bull's 9,200 employees. Thanks to them, Atos enters a new dimension with a stronger positioning in Cloud, Cyber security and Big Data. The new group will also be strengthened in Managed Services and Systems Integration. We can now launch the integration phase without further delay and start reorganizing and regrouping operations to generate the synergies announced."
Philippe Vannier , Chairman and CEO of Bull Group, commented: "I welcome this outcome. The combination with Atos will give birth to a new industry leader and a recognized IT brand in Europe. The new entity will become #1 in Cloud private services in Europe and one of the key players in cyber security and Big Data."