Infor tenders for SSA Global

Infor, a US-based enterprise software group founded in Germany, has agreed to acquire SSA Global, its US-listed peer, for US$1,357m. Under the terms of the agreement, Infor has agreed to pay US$19.50 per share in cash to SSA Global’s shareholders.

Infor is controlled by investment firms Golden Gate Capital and Summit Partners. The company emerged in 2004 when Agilisys International of the US acquired Germany’s Infor Business Solutions for a total of €42m (US$49.5m).

The latest agreement has been approved by SSA’s directors. The parties expect to close the transaction in the third quarter of 2006. Shareholders representing about 84% of SSA’s outstanding shares have agreed to support the merger.

“With this acquisition, Infor will become the third largest enterprise software provider in the industry, with approximately US$1.6bn in revenues,” said Jim Schaper, Infor’s chairman and CEO.