Acer announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire E-TEN Information Systems, a leading manufacturer of smart handheld devices.
The acquisition has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both E-TEN and Acer and is subject to standard closing conditions, including obtaining approval from Shareholders Meetings and the Governmental Regulators. The acquisition is expected to close during Q3 2008.
The acquisition of E-TEN is in line with Acer’s expansion strategy and follows the recent acquisition of Gateway and Packard Bell, further strengthening its foothold in the fast-evolving mobile communications segment and completes Acer’s range of mobile solutions.
“This strategic transaction is yet another important milestone in Acer’s long history of innovation” said J.T. Wang, Chairman of Acer. “The acquisition of E-Ten increases Acer’s global footprint by giving us a strong and highly credible presence in the mobility segment.”
“The worldwide smart phone market is estimated to grow by more than 30% by 2011”, added Gianfranco Lanci, President of Acer. "Acer will enhance the competitiveness in the ultra mobile segment, by combining PC and communication technologies”.
E-TEN has released a number of hugely successful Pocket PC phones that featured combinations of GPRS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and 3.5G GSM functionality each enhanced by exclusive in-house developed software applications.
In 2006, in recognition of the fact that its consumer orientated devices were proving just as successful as the company’s IT centric product lines, E-TEN showed its commitment to the consumer sector by adopting the new brand name, Glofiish, for its Pocket PC Phones and accessories.
The acquisition of E-TEN will allow Acer to play a key role in the development of the dynamic, fast-evolving market of smart handheld devices as well as ultra mobile devices in the future and will help bring Acer’s cutting edge mobile solutions to an even wider audience.