NCR to acquire Retalix

NCR Corporation announced a definitive agreement for NCR to acquire Retalix Ltd., a leading global provider of innovative retail software and services, for a cash purchase price of $30.00 per Retalix share, implying a transaction value of approximately $650 million.

The addition of Retalix will strengthen NCR’s global leadership position in the retail industry, and builds upon its successful integration of Radiant Systems into the NCR portfolio of solutions. This acquisition demonstrates NCR’s commitment to its strategy and continued transformation to a hardware-enabled, software-driven business model, delivering solutions that materially improve business processes while enabling seamless consumer experiences across touch points, locations, and channels. The transaction is expected to accelerate NCR’s corporate strategy by increasing the portfolio mix of higher-margin software and services, enabling increased value for our customers, and continued growth and improved margins for NCR shareholders.

“Retalix is a strong, strategic fit for NCR and the combination of our two companies will drive significant value for both our shareholders and customers,” said NCR Chairman and CEO, Bill Nuti. “Retalix’s market-leading software and services capabilities will enhance NCR’s retail solutions, creating a world-class portfolio of offerings. That innovation plus the addition of exceptional talent to our team positions NCR as the global leader in retail innovation.”

Retalix’s software and services are deployed in over 70,000 retail locations with more than 400,000 customer touch points in over 50 countries that transact billions of dollars in annual sales across its platform. Retalix’s strength with blue-chip retailers will be highly complementary to NCR and will enable additional sales opportunities across the combined installed base. The acquisition will provide Retalix’s customers with backing of a $5.3 billion (FY ‘11) leader, and deep knowledge in retail and adjacent industries.

“I am very excited about today’s announcement. Combining Retalix’s impressive team and portfolio with NCR will create a powerful enterprise-class software platform capable of delivering a sustained competitive advantage in the retail industry,” said Shuky Sheffer, Chief Executive Officer of Retalix. “Together, we will create a talent pool and solutions portfolio that will be richer than anything available before, enabling our customers to deliver a superior omni-channel shopping experience. I am proud of our achievements and strongly believe that this is a great move that will benefit our customers, employees and shareholders.”

NCR also expects to use Retalix’s software to accelerate the development of NCR’s enterprise software platform, creating new software modules that can be used across the retail industry and leveraged across NCR’s financial, travel and hospitality industries on a global scale.

Under the terms of the agreement, Retalix will merge with a subsidiary of NCR, and Retalix shareholders will receive $30.00 in cash per share of Retalix common stock. The transaction will be financed through a combination of cash and debt, and is expected to be accretive to NCR’s Non-GAAP earnings for 20131.

The transaction, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2013, is subject to, among other things, approval by Retalix Ltd. shareholders, the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the satisfaction of other regulatory requirements and customary closing conditions. NCR has entered into voting agreements with Alpha Group and Ronex, the two largest Retalix Ltd. shareholders who hold approximately 38% of Retalix’s outstanding shares.

J.P. Morgan acted as exclusive financial advisor and Morrison & Foerster LLP and Amit, Pollak, Matalon & Co. acted as legal counsel to NCR on the transaction. Jefferies & Co., Inc. acted as financial advisor and Meitar Liquornik Geva & Leshem Brandwein acted as legal counsel to Retalix Ltd. on the transaction.