Hitachi will acquire GlobalLogic, a leading US-headquartered digital engineering services company.
The acquisition is based on the definitive agreement among Hitachi Global Digital Holdings Corporation, a US subsidiary, an SPC established by HGDH for the acquisition and GlobalLogic Worldwide Holdings, Inc., the parent company of GlobalLogic.
The transaction is subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals and expected to be completed by the end of July 2021, the company said in a release.
Through the acquisition, Hitachi expects the addition of GlobalLogic’s advanced digital engineering capabilities, and its solid client base including major technology companies, to strengthen the digital portfolio of “Lumada.”
Hitachi Vantara LLC, a US-based subsidiary of Hitachi and its digital infrastructure, data management, and digital solutions business, plays a key role in driving Lumada business growth in the global market.
The acquisition will create synergies across Hitachi’s five sectors – IT, Energy, Industry, Mobility and Smart Life – and automotive systems business (Hitachi Astemo) by accelerating the advanced digital transformation of social infrastructure such as rail, energy, and healthcare at a global scale.
Through its Social Innovation Business delivered by collaborative creation with customers, Hitachi aims to increase social, environmental, and economic value for its customers and realise a sustainable society.
Hitachi President and CEO Toshiaki Higashihara said, “The acquisition of GlobalLogic creates an exciting new opportunity for Hitachi to expand our offerings of Lumada solutions and services, provide value to customers in their digital transformation journey, and grow our Lumada business globally.”
The synergy of GlobalLogic’s leading experience design and innovation with Hitachi’s expertise in IT, operational technology, and products, will help us realise our goal to be the leading digital transformation innovator in social infrastructure worldwide. Together, we will create new social, environmental and economic value for our globally expanding client companies and elevate QoL (quality of life) for people through contributions to realise sustainable society, he added.
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, GlobalLogic is a leading company in the fast-growing digital engineering services market. With over 20,000 professionals in 14 countries, GlobalLogic operates design studios and software product engineering centers around the world.
The company has a solid client base with over 400 clients comprised of market leaders and marquee brands spanning key industries such as communications, financial services, automotive, healthcare & life sciences, technology, media and entertainment, and manufacturing.
Digital transformation (DX) investment is growing at an accelerated pace globally. IDC predicts that 65% of global GDP will be digitalised by 2022 driven by products and services from digitally transformed enterprises.
In addition, according to Zinnov (a research & advisory company specialising in Product Engineering and Digital Transformation) the total addressable market for digital engineering will grow to $1.1 trillion by 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19%.
Digital transformation continues to be a priority for organisations everywhere, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only expanded demand for new data-driven business models, customer experiences, and connected ecosystems.
However, many organisations lack the knowledge and experience to design and deploy new digital platforms. They are also challenged by the shortage of the skills required to build digital-native products, and to design new interaction models and digital experiences, such as new digital ways of shopping or new models for delivering and receiving healthcare.
Against this backdrop, the demand for GlobalLogic’s services is growing rapidly, and the combined company has greater access to this massive market opportunity.
Hitachi has been promoting initiatives to transform and provide more advanced and intelligent social infrastructure, such as rail and energy, using its digital technology, in order to achieve a transformation into a global leader in the Social Innovation Business.
As part of its 2021 Mid-term Management Plan, Hitachi previously committed to the strategy to make growth investments of 1 trillion yen in the IT sector, primarily through Hitachi Vantara, to strengthen digital capabilities including digital products, solutions,
partnerships, front and delivery capabilities.
GlobalLogic will be an integral part and a growth engine of Hitachi’s portfolio of Lumada digital solutions and services.
“Companies in every industry are transforming with digital technology – to better engage customers, create new revenue streams and drive a higher quality of life,” GlobalLogic President and CEO Shashank Samant.
GlobalLogic’s revenues are expected to reach approximately $1.2 billion with adjusted EBITDA margins to be over 20% in fiscal 2021. With a high profitability profile and strong revenue CAGR, GlobalLogic will aim to achieve adjusted EBITDA of over $1 billion by fiscal 2028.
HGDH and GlobalLogic Worldwide Holdings have agreed on an equity value of $8.5 billion with an enterprise value of $9.5 billion. This represents about 37.4x in CY2021 and 29.4x in CY2022 of expected adjusted EBITDA respectively and are within the calculation range of Hitachi’s comparable company analysis and the discounted cash flow method.
The total acquisition cost, including repayment of GlobalLogic’s interest-bearing debt, is expected to be $9.6 billion.
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC acted as financial advisor to Hitachi in connection with the transaction and Shearman & Sterling LLP served as legal advisor. Goldman Sachs & Co. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as financial advisors and
Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor to GlobalLogic.
