Monday Morning Impact – February 29

Ingram Micro to be Acquired By China-based Company in $6 Billion Deal

Ingram Micro has announced unanimous bard approval to be acquired by Tianjin Tianhai Investment Company, Ltd. for $38.90 per share in an all-cash transaction with an equity value of approximately $6.0 billion.

Following the close of the transaction, which is expected in the second half of 2016, Ingram Micro will operate as a subsidiary of Tianjin Tianhai, consolidated under HNA Group, the largest stockholder of Tianjin Tianhai (via HNA Group’s subsidiaries).

“Our agreement to join HNA Group delivers near-term and compelling cash value to our stockholders and we expect it to provide exciting new opportunities for our vendors, customers and associates,” said Alain Monié, CEO of Ingram Micro. “As a part of HNA Group, we will have the ability to accelerate strategic investment, as we continue to capitalize on the constant evolution of technology and emerging trends by adding expertise, capabilities and geographic reach. Additionally, Ingram Micro will now be part of a larger organization that has complementary logistics capabilities and a strong presence in China that can further support the growth and profitability objectives of our vendor and customer partners.”

In conjunction with this announcement, Ingram Micro is suspending its quarterly dividend payment and its share repurchase program prior to the closing of the transaction.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals in various jurisdictions, as well as the approval of Ingram Micro’s and Tianjin Tianhai’s stockholders and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

Tianjin Tianhai is a Shanghai Stock Exchange traded company with registered capital above RMB2.89 billion. It was founded as a marine shipping company, but has evolved into a logistic industry investor and operator, focusing on investment in logistic market segments, supply chain investment and management based on upstream and downstream of the logistic industry, as well as financing service for the logistic industry. It is a subsidiary of HNA Group, which was transformed from a local aviation transportation operator to a conglomerate encompassing core divisions of aviation, holdings, capital, tourism and logistics. The company claims assets valued at over $90 billion, and has 11 listed companies. In 2015, HNA Group had revenues of $29 billion and nearly 180,000 employees worldwide.

Channel Impact
This move is being positioned as being mutually advantageous to geographic reach and logistical capabilities. The retention of the current Ingram Micro management team might be read as a precursor to stability. But no doubt channel partners working with the Irvine, Calif.-based distributor will be closely watching developments, especially given the often tumultuous relationship between the United States and China.

Mojo Networks Launches Partner Program; Allies with Ingram Micro

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., February 16, 2016 – Mojo Networks, a Mountain View, Calif.-based WiFi vendor, (formerly AirTight Networks) has launched its new partner program and a distribution agreement with Ingram Micro. Dubbed Mojo Force, the revenue-based two-level partner program promises real-time collaboration with sales teams and a guaranteed partner response within 24 hours.

“With cloud WiFi growing at 38% according to IDC, we look forward to giving our channel partners a strong cloud platform, a solid partner support program and great margins,” said Kester Kyrie, Vice-President of WW Sales & Channels at Mojo Networks. “Ingram Micro’s strong wireless practice, logistics excellence, and channel enablement resources will enable us to realize our go-to market strategy as we aggressively go after new markets.”

“Cloud-based WiFi is a growing category that brings forward a lot of opportunity for channel partners to create easily customizable, secure and scalable working environments for the customers they serve,” said Eric Kohl, executive director, Advanced Solutions, Ingram Micro. “We look forward to supporting Mojo Networks’ growth as the company builds new cloud-centric WiFi solutions and expands its national profile.”

Mojo Networks serves customers in the Fortune 500, Global 2000 and large carriers.

Channel Impact
The alliance with Ingram Micro is a major development in helping to extend this vendor’s reach.

Attivo Networks Signs Distributor Agreement with Macnica Networks in Japan

Attivo Networks, a Fremont, Calif.-based vendor focused on cyber security threat detection, and Macnica Networks, which provides network devices and security solutions in Japan, have signed an agreement for Macnica Networks to distribute the Attivo Networks solution to the company’s customer base of large Japanese companies, government agencies and educational institutions.

The Attivo Networks approach to cyber threat detection provides a deception platform that detects inside-the-network BOTs and advanced persistent threats (APTs). The platform includes a variety of deception techniques, decoys, and engagement servers and is designed for user networks, data centers, cloud, and Industrial Control ICS/SCADA environments.

This reseller agreement marks the first partnership for Attivo Networks in Asia and expands the company’s ability to provide deception solutions to Japanese and global customers.

“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with Macnica Networks,” comments Tushar Kothari, CEO of Attivo Networks. “They are one of the leading distributors in Japan with customers in multiple commercial markets as well as government agencies. With Macnica Networks’s strong history of delivering security solutions to major organizations, we expect to see significant adoption of our solutions throughout the market.”

Channel Impact
The new alliance should go a long way towards bolstering Attivo’s go-to-market position in Japan.