GTT buys Interoute for $2.3 billion
News

GTT buys Interoute for $2.3 billion

GTT Communications has entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Interoute, one of Europe’s largest independent fibre network operators, for $2.3 billion.

“The acquisition of Interoute represents a major milestone in delivering on our purpose of connecting people, across organizations and around the world,” said Rick Calder, GTT president and CEO. “This combination creates a disruptive market leader with substantial scale, unique network assets and award-winning product capabilities to fulfil our clients’ growing demand for distributed cloud networking in Europe, the US and across the globe. Following our successful, proven acquisition model, we expect to complete this integration within three to four quarters post-close and achieve a post-synergy multiple of seven to eight times Adjusted EBITDA or better on a pro forma basis.”

The all-cash deal is set to bring a number of benefits for the global cloud networking provider including: increasing the scale of the company, expanding GTT’s Tier 1 global IP network with one of Europe’s most extensive fibre footprints. Which at present includes over 400 points of presence, spanning 24 metro areas and interconnecting 126 cities across 29 countries.

In addition, the deal will strengthen GTT’s leadership position in software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN), It will add 15 data centres, 17 virtual data centres and 51 colocation facilities, enhancing GTT’s cloud connectivity platform.

It will also contribute infrastructure, edge and hosted services to GTT’s suite of cloud networking services. And expand GTT’s multinational client base, by adding over 1,000 strategic enterprise and carrier clients in Europe.

Internally GTT will benefit from the addition of sales, operations and customer service organisation.

“This is an exciting next chapter for Interoute, GTT, our customers and our team. The combined assets and strengths of our two companies create a powerful portfolio of high-capacity, low-latency connectivity, and innovative cloud and edge infrastructure services to support our customers in the global digital economy, added Gareth Williams, CEO of Interoute.

The deal has been strongly supported by Interoute’s shareholders - the Sandoz Family Foundation, Aleph Capital and Crestview Partners, particularly in its wider strategy of building and consolidating the European fibre, cloud and connectivity markets to create a player with significant scale and international presence.

GTT says it raised its funds through debt financing and committed equity financing of $250 million from The Spruce House Partnership and Acacia Partners. GTT is being advised by Goodwin Procter LLP, the global law firm, during the acquisition process, led by led by partners Gemma Roberts (London) and Jay Schifferli (Washington DC). The deal is due to close in three to six months, subject to the usual regulatory approvals.

Earlier this month, GTT launched a point of presence (PoP) in Root Data Center's MTL-R2, Montreal facility. MTL-R2 is Canada’s largest wholesale data center and will enable GTT to offer a greater selection of connectivity options to its cloud-based multinational clients.

Gift this article