Technicolor receives a firm offer from the FCDE to purchase Thomson Video Networks

Technicolor announced this Wednesday that it has received a binding offer to acquire the business of Thomson Video Networks from the Fonds de Consolidation et de Développement des Entreprises (FCDE). The transaction would include the entire portfolio of video encoder/decoder solutions, MPEG processors, video servers, datacasters, network management, monitoring and routing, as well as associated R&D centers and systems activities around the world.

Technicolor has announced, this Wednesday, March 9, the receipt of a binding offer to acquire the business of Thomson Video Networks by the Fonds de Consolidation et de Développement des Entreprises (FCDE). The transaction would include the entire portfolio of video encoder/decoder solutions, MPEG processors, video servers, datacasters, network management, monitoring and routing, as well as associated R&D centers and systems activities around the world.

The FCDE focuses its activity on the recovery and development of small and medium-sized businesses that demonstrate great potential for success. This capital fund, endowed with approximately 200 million euros, is financed with a maximum of 90 million euros by the Fonds Stratégique d’Investissement (FSI), together with the main French banks and insurance companies. It is managed by Consolidation et Développement Gestion, a subsidiary of CDC Entreprises. The FCDE makes long-term investments, strengthens and consolidates the shareholders of the companies it finances, stabilizes its management process, and facilitates relations with its banking partners.

The investment would include 100 percent ownership of everything considered part of Thomson Video Networks. This includes the entire solutions portfolio of video encoders/decoders, MPEG processors, video servers, datacasters, network management, monitoring and routing, associated R&D centers, and its systems activities worldwide. The offering also includes sales for Thomson Video Networks and customer support organizations worldwide, as well as management of various administrative and support functions. The use of the Thomson brand is also part of the offer

The FCDE offer for Thomson Video Networks recognizes the strength of the brand in the market, technological experience, product portfolio, and the high solvency of its personnel. FCDE's management style is based on close collaboration with the management team of each investing company, to ensure a stable foundation as an independent entity, thus guaranteeing its growth.

"The FCDE is an excellent partner for us, with a management team that has the knowledge they need to stand out as an independent and reference structure in the creation of independent companies. FCDE fully supports Thomson Video Networks, in its continued global growth and sustained investment in R&D in order to achieve constant evolution and technological leadership," highlighted Christophe Delahousse, president of Thomson Video Networks.

Charles-Henri Rossignol, member of the board of directors of FCDE, added that "we want to help Thomson Video Networks to take advantage of its numerous innovations, its impressive product portfolio, high quality management, and all its employees who have the know-how that is today recognized throughout the world for its technological leadership in the field of compression and headends. This investment will allow Thomson Video Networks to reinforce its presence with a renewed line of products focused on the most promising market segments such as terrestrial, satellite, IPTV and Internet TV, in the fastest growing regions (United States, Latin America and Asia).”