ECS Elitegroup to Acquire Uniwill Computer
-- Leaders in notebook design and manufacture join forces to expand leadership in white book and ultra portable solutions --
Fremont, CA (August 1, 2006) – Elitegroup Computer Systems, Inc. (ECS®, TSE: 2331), the world’s leading desktop PCs, notebooks, servers, motherboards, video cards, wireless solutions and handheld devices manufacturer, announced it has inked an agreement to acquire Uniwill Computer, Taiwan’s leading manufacturer of ultra-portable notebook solutions. This acquisition will allow customers of both companies to deploy a wide range of compelling notebook and white book products to the marketplace immediately. This is the second consecutive acquisition made by ECS Elitegroup after the recent acquisition of the desktop PC unit of
Under the terms of the agreement, ECS Elitegroup will acquire Uniwill Computer in an all-stock swap where two shares of Uniwill Computer will be swapped for one share of ECS Elitegroup. The expected completion date of the acquisition is
Uniwill Computer is recognized for its R&D strength in notebook design and manufacture with over 200 highly skilled engineers. In 2005, Uniwill’s notebook PC business reported annual revenue of NTD $26.8 billion, representing over 1.8 million units sold worldwide. Being a major player in the notebook OEM/ODM sector, Uniwill complements ECS Elitegroup’s present dominance in the white book market.
Poised as
“The acquisition is a significant step forward in our ongoing investment in the notebook business. ECS Elitegroup and Uniwill complement each other in our core business and strengths,” said M. T. Chen, President of ECS Elitegroup Computer Systems,
Upon completion of the Uniwill acquisition, ECS Elitegroup will become a company with more than 400 R&D team members for notebook PC design, and its production volume will scale up to 3 million sets per year. The expanded capabilities will place ECS Elitegroup as one of the top five notebook manufacturers in the world through a larger OEM/ODM customer base, enhanced sales volume, and reduced procurement and manufacturing costs.