Ingram Micro Inc.’s pending owner is making good on its word to invest in the Irvine-based company after its $6 billion sale.
The world’s largest technology products distributor has already acquired two companies under new Chinese owner Tianjin Tianhai Investment Co. Ltd., which announced the buy two months ago.
Ingram this month agreed to acquire San Jose-based Ensim Corp., a privately held cloud applications distributor. The transaction is expected to close by early May on undisclosed financial terms.
That purchase followed the March acquisition of Greenville, S.C.-based NETXUSA Inc., a reseller specializing in VOIP, or voice-over-Internet and IP services. NETXUSA is expected to add more than $125 million in annual revenue and modest profits to Ingram’s bottom line this year.
Tianjin Chief Executive Adam Tan indicated the conglomerate would pour resources into Ingram and initiate a hiring push in the wake of the deal.
Tianjin is a unit of Hainan-based HNA Group, which controls $90 billion in assets through major operations in aviation, tourism and logistics.
Ingram has been a frequent acquirer under Chief Executive Alain Monie, who has diversified offerings into higher-margin business lines in mobility, the cloud, and add-on services since taking the helm in 2012.
He will retain his post at Ingram, which will maintain its name and brand after the transaction closes in the second half of the year.
Ingram, which acquired nine companies last year, isn’t expected to initiate the deep type of layoffs and management changes that ushered in a new era for Broadcom Corp. after its blockbuster $37 billion sale in February to Avago Technologies Inc.
4K Makes Its Debut
The first wave of 4K content has arrived as more consumers begin to upgrade their existing HD TV sets.
El Segundo-based DirecTV and parent AT&T Inc. broadcasted coverage in ultra-high definition of famed Amen Corner during the Master’s Tournament this month at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.
Consumers with the satellite service and a 4K TV, which had to meet several requirements to experience the full immersive effect, were treated to four days of premier coverage on Holes 11, 12 and 13, arguably the most storied on the U.S. leg of the PGA Tour.
Ultra HD, or 4K, essentially quadruples the resolution of traditional HD TVs.
The Master’s coverage, which also included virtual reality feeds, followed an announcement by Sony that it will launch an ultra HD streaming movie service this month called Ultra. Movie purchases will set buyers back a steep $30 each. Consumers can upgrade standard or HD format movies for $12 to $15 but are limited to Sony-produced videos.
The developments are welcome news for two Irvine companies: Vizio Inc., which recently introduced several Ultra HD home theater systems, and Red Digital Cinema Camera Co., which has developed 4K cameras used in such films as “Entourage,” “The Social Network” and the Showtime series “Shameless.”
Design Deal
Newport Beach-based MSC Software Corp. inked a contract to license its software to Riba Composites, an Italian designer and maker of structural parts and components used in motor racing, aerospace, and the defense, energy and transportation sectors, among others.
MSC, which specializes in simulation software, was OC’s 12th largest software maker last year with an estimated 150 local workers. The company posts annual sales of more than $200 million.
