Sophos Plc ("Sophos"), a global leader in endpoint security and
control solutions, today announced that it has acquired the
necessary level of Utimaco Share capital to proceed with the
voluntary public takeover of Utimaco Safeware AG ("Utimaco")
(Frankfurt Stock Exchange ISIN DE0007572406), a global leader in
data security solutions for enterprises. As anticipated and in
accordance with the Offer Document, Sophos successfully acquired
more than 75 percent of Utimaco Shares for a purchase price of EUR
14.75 per Share as of September 30, 2008.
"Together our companies are exceptionally well-positioned to
protect customer information and endpoints from both external and
internal threats while also improving the manageability of
security," said Steve Munford, CEO of Sophos. "The enthusiastic
customer and channel partner response that both Utimaco and Sophos
have already received reinforces how strategic this move is for
both companies."
Utimaco will form the core of a new business unit within Sophos
focused on data security, under the leadership of Utimaco CEO
Martin Wuelfert, with a mission to safeguard customers against
intentional or unintentional loss of sensitive or confidential
data.
"Utimaco has an outstanding leadership role in the global
information protection market and will continue to focus on
excellent solutions for our enterprise customers," said Martin
Wuelfert, CEO of Utimaco. "We see this combination of two
recognized industry leaders as very good news for our customers.
Combining both companies' product innovation and development
capacities and our joint global sales, marketing and support
capacities will be game changing for the industry."
Sophos - the largest privately-held security company
worldwide-previously announced results for the fiscal year ending
31st March, 2008 with billings of $213.9 million, up 28% on the
previous year. Utimaco recently announced 2007/2008 financial year
(ending June 30, 2008) revenue results of EUR 59.2 million, an
increase of 20% over the year prior. Further, Sophos now becomes
the only company positioned by Gartner in the leaders' quadrants
for both Endpoint Protection Platform and Mobile Data Protection in
addition to receiving a positive rating in the Gartner MarketScope
for Network Access Control.
Sophos intends to unveil its convergence roadmap and future
Security and Control vision in the next thirty days.
About Utimaco Safeware - The Data Security Company
Celebrating 25 years in business, Utimaco is a leading global
provider of data security solutions, enabling mid- to large-size
organizations to safeguard their data assets against intentional or
accidental data loss, and to comply with privacy laws. Utimaco's
complete range of data security solutions provide full 360 degree
data protection for data at rest, data in motion and data in use.
Utimaco offers its customers comprehensive on-site support via a
world-wide network of certified partners and subsidiaries. Utimaco
Safeware, with headquarters in Oberursel, near Frankfurt, Germany,
is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN DE0007572406). For
more information please visit www.utimaco.com.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com.