Harris Broadcast, Including Digital Signage Unit, Acquired in $225M Deal

December 6, 2012 by Dave Haynes

A little more than a half-year after announcing plans to divest its Broadcast Communications, Harris Corporation has reached a $225 million deal with a private equity firm.

The deal with The Gores Group is $160 million in cash at closing, a $15 million subordinated promissory note and an earnout of up to $50 million based on future performance. The transaction is subject to regulatory review and should close earlu in the new year.

“The sale of Broadcast Communications reflects our strategy to optimize our business portfolio and focus on our core businesses,” says William M. Brown, president and chief executive officer of Harris. “As previously communicated, we plan to repurchase up to $200 million of our shares after the deal closes. This is in addition to the $200 million of share repurchases already planned for fiscal 2013 and reflects our ongoing commitment to effectively deploy capital, including returning cash to shareholders.”

“In Harris Broadcast Communications, we are investing in a proven technology leader with great products and a great team. We are excited to provide the capital and support to transition this division to a strong and independent company further enabling it to continue developing and delivering market leading technologies to its customers,” says Ryan Wald, Managing Director of The Gores Group.

The Gores Group is described as: “a global investment firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses which can benefit from the firm’s operating experience and flexible capital base. The firm combines the operational expertise and detailed due diligence capabilities of a strategic buyer with the seasoned M&A team of a traditional financial buyer.

The Gores Group, which was founded in 1987 by Alec E. Gores, has become a leading investor having demonstrated over time a reliable track record of creating substantial value in its portfolio companies alongside management. Headquartered in Los Angeles, The Gores Group maintains offices in Boulder, CO, and London.”

The private notes I got from insiders suggests the digital signage crew is happy with how things are shaking out. The company has several businesses in its portfolio that are technology and retail focused, arguably the most interesting and relevant one being Elo Touch Solutions.