Lenovo Group Ltd. has announced that it is actively pursuing
purchase of European computer manufacturer Packard Bell. Lenovo has
said that it is negotiating the purchase through an unnamed independent
third party and working with other parties and government entities as
part of the proposed acquisition.
Reuters reports that the deal would quickly increase the Chinese
computer maker's market share, even as it continues to digest IBM's PC
business, which it bought in 2005.
The company is being bought from Lap Shun Hui, the former owner of eMachines and it looks like Lenovo is the only buyer.
Initially there were some rumours that Lenovo was competing with Acer
for the company. Acer said in April it planned to buy a PC company in
three to five months to win more market share and accelerate growth.
However it appears that Packard Bell was not the target.
But a news story in the Hong Kong Economic Journal indicated that
Taiwanese manufacturer Acer Inc. is interested in acquiring a PC
company that is not a U.S. or Taiwanese company, and hinted that
Packard Bell BV is also being courted by Acer. Things could get
heated if both decide to pursue the acquisition.
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