Panasonic will purchase US supply-chain software program agency Blue Yonder for JPY700bn ($6.45bn), within the Japanese electronics agency’s greatest acquisition since 2011, Reuters reported, citing the Nikkei.
Panasonic, which purchased a 20% stake in Blue Yonder for JPY86b final yr, is within the closing levels of buying the remainder of the inventory from shareholders together with Blackstone Group, the Nikkei mentioned in an unsourced report.
“This isn’t one thing that has been introduced by our firm. It’s not true that it’s one thing we’ve got determined,” Panasonic mentioned in a press release emailed to Reuters.
The report mentioned an acquisition would bolster Panasonic’s provide chain administration providers because the COVID-19 pandemic focuses the eye of corporations on their resilience to disruption.
As soon as finest identified for shopper electronics and home equipment, Panasonic in recent times has centered extra on constructing elements and supplying providers to different companies, equivalent to batteries for Tesla EVs, Reuters famous.
Any deal to amass all of Blue Yonder could be Panasonic’s largest because it spent JPY800bn to make Sanyo Electrical and Panasonic Electrical Works wholly owned subsidiaries in 2011, the Nikkei mentioned.
The acquisition cash is more likely to come from Panasonic’s personal funds, though loans or different financing may be thought-about for the acquisition, the stories mentioned.
Reuters famous Panasonic deepened its partnership with Blue Yonder in Could, gaining a seat on its board after buying a minority stake. The US firm makes use of machine studying to assist corporations handle provide chains that join factories to warehouses and retailers.
Blue Yonder prospects embrace Walmart, Starbucks and Unilever, Reuters famous.
