Indian optical fiber maker Sterlite is acquiring OSS, BSS and policy control software specialist Elitecore, also based in India, for 1,800 million rupees (US$27.2 million).

September 24, 2015

4 Min Read

PUNE, India -- Sterlite Technologies Limited ("Sterlite") has entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Elitecore Technologies Private Limited ("Elitecore"), a global telecom software product company. Elitecore is a leading provider of Operations Support Services / Business Support Services and is majority owned by First Carlyle Ventures Mauritius, whose affiliate is advised by The Carlyle Group. Elitecore was established in 1999 by highly experienced software technocrats with over 20 years of experience. Today, it is ranked amongst one of the leading product-centric IT companies from India that has a global customer base.

Elitecore has a rich product portfolio, robust technology platform, strong customer track record and excellent partnerships. Over the last few years, Elitecore has made significant inroads in both Indian and global telecom operators and has expanded its geographic footprint to include South East Asia, Middle East & Africa and lately Eastern Europe and Latin America. Elitecore is a profitable niche player with FY 15 revenues of Rs147cr and EBITDA of Rs16cr and is cash positive on a net debt basis. The company has been continuously profitable for the last 7 years and the financial performance would continue to improve given the strategic decision to build its service capabilities and focus on investing in right growth product categories.

Rationale and transaction highlights

  • This acquisition widens Sterlite's telecom portfolio of offerings to its global customers - in addition to its current offerings comprising optical products and allied system integration services, Sterlite will now offer industry leading software solutions for operations support, business support and revenue management.

    • Sterlite has taken a strategic decision to capitalize on the broadband data network creation globally by offering a larger range of products and solutions especially focusing on the high value product segments. Elitecore's portfolio enables Sterlite to serve Telco operators' mission critical applications that drive profitability and scalability.

    • This acquisition opens up access to a large multi-billion dollar market which, when combined with the existing large and expanding market for optical products globally, significantly enhances the overall growth opportunity for the company.

    • The asset light, non-linear business model of Elitecore offers complementary advantages to Sterlite's current business model catering to requirements of high speed data networks in India and globally.

    • Sterlite is committed to growing its optical products business and has implemented expansion plans to increase capacity. It has also undertaken efforts to scale up revenue contribution from services and solutions and the addition of Elitecore's operation will offer significant impetus to the revenue contribution from services.

    • Both Sterlite and Elitecore cater to some of the largest telecom service providers globally and this acquisition will enable both companies to cross-sell their suite of offerings.

    • This acquisition will be for an overall enterprise value of approximately Rs180cr in an all-cash deal. The transaction is expected to be value accretive by FY17 and is expected to be closed shortly subject to completion of certain regulatory and statutory formalities. Upon completion of the transaction, Elitecore Technologies is proposed to be merged into Sterlite Technologies.

    • Sterlite was advised by Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas on legal matters, PwC on financial diligence, EY on taxation matters and KPMG on transaction structuring matters. Carlyle and Elitecore Technologies were advised by NRS Advisors and Systematix Capital on transaction structuring, J Sagar Associates on legal matters and KPMG on taxation matters.

      Commenting on the transaction, Pravin Agarwal, Vice Chairman, Sterlite Technologies Ltd., said, "The transaction follows our strategy to undertake attractive M&A opportunities in the entire telecom value chain. Elitecore has had an excellent performance record, with its management and employees having a wealth of experience and expertise in developing solutions for telecom companies. The acquisition is a lever for Sterlite to create new inflections in the telecom arena that are in line with Sterlite's long-term goals of being an integrated telecom solution provider."

      Commenting on the transaction, Nikhil Jain, MD & CEO of Elitecore Technologies said, "We are very excited about what is a completely transformational development for our Company. With its product-led innovation, cost leadership, geographic reach and proven delivery capability, Sterlite has built a solid reputation with leading global telecom companies in some of the world's most challenging business environments. Elitecore's growth will benefit immensely from Sterlite's market access, geographic reach, delivery capability and financial strength.My team looks forward to join 'Sterlite' and further our shared vision to deliver optimal solutions for our customers' evolving needs."

      Commenting on the transaction, Shankar Narayanan, Managing Director of The Carlyle Group, and Co-Head of the Carlyle Asia growth capital team, said, "Elitecore is a great example of a win-win corporate-private equity relationship where Carlyle has partnered with a management team with passion, resourcefulness and integrity to build a world-class telecom product and solutions business. I am pleased that Carlyle has been able to leverage its global resources and network of portfolio companies to help Elitecore achieve superior growth and transform the business. We are proud to have been associated with the Company and the management team and wish them great success."

      Sterlite Technologies Ltd.
      Elitecore Technologies Ltd.

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