Fujifilm has decided to take over Xerox in a US$ 6 billion deal that will create an entity with annual revenues of US$ 18 billion and leadership positions in key geographic regions. The two companies have announced that that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine Xerox and Fuji Xerox joint venture.
Fujifilm will own 50.1% of the combined company and provide important operational support and transformational leadership. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both Fujifilm and Xerox. The combined company will be named Fuji Xerox and trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker XRX. The new Fuji Xerox will have dual headquarters in Norwalk, USA and in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The combined company will go to market and maintain the Xerox and Fuji Xerox brands within its respective operating regions.
Shigetaka Komori, chairman and chief executive officer of Fujifilm, said, “Fujifilm and Xerox have fostered an exceptional partnership through our existing Fuji Xerox joint venture, and this transaction is a strategic evolution of our alliance. The Document Solutions business represents a significant part of Fujifilm’s portfolio, and the creation of the new Fuji Xerox allows us to more directly establish a leadership position in a fast-changing market. We believe Fujifilm’s track record of advancing technology in innovative imaging and information solutions – especially in inkjet, imaging, and AI areas – will be important components of the success of the new Fuji Xerox.”
This combination is expected to deliver at least US$ 1.7 billion in total annual cost savings by 2022, with approximately US$ 1.2 billion of the total cost savings expected to be achieved by 2020. The targeted cost savings represent approximately 10% of the total cost base of the new Fuji Xerox and will drive significant margin expansion over the next four years.
Jeff Jacobson, chief executive officer of Xerox, said, “The proposed combination has compelling industrial logic and will unlock significant growth and productivity opportunities for the combined company, while delivering substantial value to Xerox shareholders. The new Fuji Xerox will be better positioned to compete in today’s environment with truly global scale, increased presence in fast-growing markets, and innovation capabilities to effectively meet our customers’ rapidly evolving demands. In addition, the combined company’s strong financial profile will enable investments that support continued market leadership, while also providing opportunities for increasing capital returns over time.”
Robert J Keegan, chairman of Xerox’s Board of Directors, said, “Today’s announcement follows a comprehensive review of our strategic and financial alternatives led by Xerox’s independent directors that began after the separation of Conduent in 2016. Upon careful consideration of all alternatives available to the company, the Board of Directors concluded that this combination is clearly the best path to create value for our shareholders. An attractive, certain cash dividend, together with participation in the future success of the combined company, presents a compelling value equation for Xerox shareholders. We are excited to strengthen our longstanding relationship with Fujifilm as we enter the next phase of Xerox’s transformation journey.”
Upon close of the transaction, Jacobson will serve as chief executive officer of the new Fuji Xerox. The combined company’s Board of Directors will include 12 members, seven of whom will be appointed by the Fujifilm Board. Five independent directors will be appointed from the Xerox Board. Shigetaka Komori will serve as chairman of the board.
The transaction, which is expected to close in the second half of calendar year 2018, is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, regulatory approvals and approval by Xerox shareholders.
