Pitney Bowes to Acquire MapInfo

Manufacturing News, Source : The Manufacturer US
Published : 16 Mar 2007 16:38

STAMFORD, Conn. & Troy, N.Y., Mar 15, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:PBI) today announced it has entered into a merger agreement to acquire MapInfo Corporation (NASDAQ: MAPS) for approximately $408 million in cash, net of expected cash on MapInfo's balance sheet at the time of closing. MapInfo is the leading global provider of location intelligence solutions. In the next seven business days, Pitney Bowes will commence a tender offer at a price of $20.25 per share in cash for the outstanding common shares of MapInfo.

MapInfo's location intelligence solutions tools and services are utilized by more than 7,000 organizations worldwide in virtually every industry. MapInfo generated $165 million in revenue for its fiscal year 2006. The company, established in 1986, is headquartered in Troy, New York and has approximately 940 employees worldwide with locations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Continental Europe, Australia and Asia.

This acquisition strengthens Pitney Bowes' position in the growing location intelligence market and enhances its ability to deliver added value to customers worldwide, according to Michael J. Critelli, Chairman and CEO of Pitney Bowes. "At Pitney Bowes we have long understood the importance of location in connecting the right information with the right recipient. Increasingly businesses and governments alike are using location-based information to enhance their reach, performance and decision-making capabilities. We are excited about the acquisition of MapInfo because it leverages our current expertise in location intelligence to deliver a broader range of advanced solutions for retail, communications, insurance, financial services and the public sector as well as strengthening our customer communication management offering. This transaction extends our global reach, enriches our location intelligence offerings, and builds upon the growing software platform that we established with the acquisition of Group 1 in 2004. We continue to expand our portfolio and leverage our core competencies as one of our strategies for delivering long-term growth."

According to Mark Cattini, CEO and President of MapInfo, "Today's announcement is a significant event for the location intelligence industry and is very positive for our customers, employees, partners and shareholders. We are excited to become part of the Pitney Bowes team, and believe this transaction will help take us to the next level. We have created a market leadership position in location intelligence from a product, data, services and industry expertise perspective. The combination of Pitney Bowes and MapInfo will dramatically expand our access to critical resources needed to further increase market awareness and our distribution capabilities around the world. In addition, from a long-term perspective, we believe there is a significant opportunity to cross-sell our respective solutions across our blue-chip base of more than 7,000 customers and the over two million Pitney Bowes customers worldwide. I look forward to working with the Pitney Bowes team and ensuring that this acquisition delivers on the potential that we know is possible."

The transaction is subject to the completion of customary conditions, and is expected to close in the second calendar quarter of 2007. It is anticipated that MapInfo will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pitney Bowes within its software segment. Pitney Bowes anticipates that within 18 months there will be synergies in the range of $10 - $15 million from elimination of public company expenses, reduction in administrative infrastructure and increased marketing leverage.

MapInfo is a global company and the leading provider of location intelligence solutions, integrating software, data and services to provide greater value from location-based information and drive more insightful decisions for businesses and government organizations around the world. Its solutions are available in multiple languages through a network of strategic partners and distribution channels in 60 countries. MapInfo's customers span a diverse set of targeted vertical markets where location is a critical decision-making component, including communications, public sector, retail and financial services, including insurance. In the private sector, companies use MapInfo products and services for a variety of purposes including site selection, risk analysis, marketing, customer services, sales territory alignment and routing. In the public sector, government agencies around the world use MapInfo solutions to improve public safety, crime analysis, asset management, emergency preparedness and response. The company's customer base includes such recognized names as British Telecom, MasterCard, and The Home Depot.

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