NetApp to acquire outsanding Data Domain shares

NetApp and Data Domain announced today they have entered into a definitive agreement under which NetApp will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Data Domain common stock for $25 per share in cash and stock. The transaction is valued at approximately $1.5 billion.

“This combination is a great opportunity for both NetApp and Data Domain,” said Dan Warmenhoven, chairman and CEO of NetApp. “Data Domain is an innovative high-growth company with a complementary product line ideally and NetApp has the distribution channels and international reach to offer Data Domain products to more customers, accelerating growth and market adoption. “

Customers will benefit from the worldwide sales, support, partner, and service network NetApp can bring to Data Domain products. NetApp and Data Domain channel partners will benefit from the inclusion of the innovative Data Domain product line into the NetApp Partner Program.

NetApp intends to operate Data Domain as a product line within NetApp’s product operations organization. The Data Domain sales organization will be integrated with NetApp sales to maximize momentum and access new accounts.

“Our objective will be to amplify Data Domain’s success, grow Data Domain’s revenues as quickly as today’s economy will allow, and create systems and incentives within NetApp to nurture Data Domain to its fullest potential,” added Warmenhoven. “We will focus on new customer acquisition and maximum market share expansion. Their existing customers should see the benefits of NetApp’s broader scale and support capabilities.”

The Data Domain portfolio brings a complementary offering to NetApp, expanding NetApp’s reach in the market for heterogeneous disk-based backup.