Table of Contents
Lenovo and Motorola Mobility: A Game-Changing Acquisition in the Corporate World
The corporate sector has witnessed numerous acquisitions over the years, as businesses strive to gain synergies and tap into new markets. One such significant acquisition occurred between Lenovo and Motorola Mobility in 2014. This article delves into the details of this game-changing acquisition and explores its impact on the corporate world.
Lenovo & Motorola Business Acquisition.
Understanding Acquisitions
Acquisitions are an integral part of corporate restructuring, where one company purchases the shares of another to gain control over its assets and decision-making processes. These transactions can either be approved or disapproved by the acquired company. An acquisition is favored by companies for several reasons, including economies of scale, diversification in market approach, increased market share, cost reductions, global market entry, and growth strategies.
The Companies: Lenovo and Motorola Mobility
Lenovo, an American-Chinese multinational technology company, is a leader in designing, manufacturing, and marketing consumer electronics, personal computers, software, business solutions, and related services. On the other hand, Motorola Mobility, an American consumer electronics manufacturer, focuses solely on producing smartphones and other mobile devices running on the Android platform.
The Rationale behind the Acquisition
Lenovo’s decision to acquire Motorola Mobility stemmed from its plan to enter the smartphone market, considered the fastest-growing industry worldwide at the time. Lenovo aimed to establish its presence in North America, Latin America, and Western Europe, and acquiring Motorola Mobility offered the perfect opportunity to achieve this goal. Additionally, Lenovo recognized the robust demand for smartphones around the world and sought to leverage Motorola Mobility’s intellectual property rights to enter the market. Lenovo pledged to operate Motorola Mobility as a wholly-owned subsidiary, with its headquarters remaining in Chicago. The acquisition propelled Lenovo to become one of the top three global brands in the smartphone industry.
Terms and Conditions of the Acquisition
While the majority of Motorola Mobility’s patent portfolio remained with its previous owner, Google, Lenovo secured a license to use the patents and other intellectual property rights. Lenovo also gained the brand and trademark of Motorola, its portfolio of smartphones, including popular models like Moto X, Moto G, and the DROID™ Ultra series. Furthermore, Lenovo acquired over 2,000 patent assets from Motorola Mobility out of the 17,500+ patents in its possession.
Deal Size and Regulatory Compliance
The acquisition between Lenovo and Motorola Mobility was valued at approximately US$2.91 billion. The deal included a mix of cash, shares of Lenovo stock, and a promissory note payable to Google. The regulatory compliances for the acquisition were met, including obtaining clearances from competition authorities in the U.S., China, the EU, Brazil, and Mexico, as well as approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
Future Prospects and Post-Acquisition Challenges
Lenovo projected selling over 100 million devices, including smartphones and tablets, in the year following the acquisition. Motorola Mobility enjoyed a strong position in the mobile industry and had recently launched the highly anticipated Moto 360. Lenovo’s management expressed confidence in using the Motorola brand to explore opportunities in the U.S. market. However, the acquisition posed significant challenges for Lenovo in the subsequent years. Reports suggested that Lenovo struggled to revive the loss-making company, resulting in a decrease in market share and sales. The company slipped in rankings in both China and the U.S., prompting cost-cutting measures and employee layoffs. Lenovo eventually achieved its goal of achieving breakeven in its mobile business, but not without facing significant hurdles.
Conclusion
The acquisition between Lenovo and Motorola Mobility marked a significant milestone in the corporate world. While Lenovo aimed to tap into the smartphone market and expand its international presence, challenges arose post-acquisition. The volatile nature of the smartphone market, coupled with various internal and external factors, contributed to Lenovo’s struggles. Nonetheless, this acquisition shed light on the risks and rewards associated with such corporate restructuring processes. As the corporate sector continues to evolve, acquisitions like these shape the landscape of the industry and serve as valuable lessons for companies venturing into new markets.
