Hewlett Packard Enterprise ( HPE) and Juniper Networks, Inc. (JNPR), a leader in artificial intelligence networking, announced on January 9, 2024 that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which HPE will acquire Juniper for $40 per share, for a total value of approximately $14 billion (12, 8 billion euros).
The combination of HPE and Juniper builds on HPE’s portfolio restructuring towards higher value-added solutions and strengthens the company’s network solutions business, furthering HPE’s strategy for sustainable profitable growth. The transaction is expected to be accretive to earnings per share in the first year after closing.
The acquisition is likely to double HPE’s business in the networking solutions segment and create a new leading networking provider with a comprehensive portfolio that offers compelling choice to customers and partners. The explosion of artificial intelligence and hybrid cloud computing is accelerating the demand for secure and unified technology solutions that connect, protect and analyze enterprise data from the edge to the cloud. These trends, and AI in particular, will continue to be the most demanding workloads for enterprises, which is why HPE is aligning its portfolio with networking as a key connecting component.
Combining the complementary portfolios of HPE and Juniper enhances HPE’s edge-to-cloud strategy. HPE and Juniper will provide customers of all sizes with a complete and secure portfolio that enables the network architecture needed to manage and simplify their growing and increasingly complex connectivity needs. Using industry-leading artificial intelligence, the combined company is expected to create better user and operator experiences, benefiting customers’ high-performance networks and cloud data centers.
Through its suite of network solutions, software and cloud services, including the Mist AI and Cloud platforms, Juniper helps organizations securely and efficiently access the critical cloud infrastructure that underpins digital and AI deployment strategies. Combined with HPE Aruba Networking and purpose-built HPE AI connectivity, it will bring together enterprise reach and cloud- and AI-friendly management and control. Together, they will create an industry leader that will accelerate innovation to deliver a modern network optimized for hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence.
Following the closing of the transaction, Juniper CEO Rami Rahim will lead the combined Network Solutions business at HPE, reporting to the company’s President and CEO Antonio Neri .
“HPE’s acquisition of Juniper represents a significant inflection point in the industry and will change the dynamics of the networking solutions market, offering customers and partners a new alternative to meet their most demanding requirements,” said Neri . “The merger will strengthen HPE’s position at the intersection of accelerating macro trends in AI, broaden our market reach and drive further innovation for customers by helping to bridge the worlds of AI and the cloud, while also creating significant value for shareholders. I am excited to welcome the talented Juniper employees to my team as we combine two companies with complementary portfolios and a proven track record of driving innovation in the industry.”
“Our years-long focus on innovative and secure AI-based solutions has underpinned Juniper Networks’ outstanding performance,” said Rami Rahim , CEO of Juniper Networks. “We have provided an exceptional user experience and simplified operations. And by joining HPE, I believe we can accelerate the next phase of our journey. At the same time, the combination increases value for our shareholders. We look forward to working with the talented team at HPE and driving innovation that will bring added value to service providers and cloud customers across the board.
Transaction Details and Approvals
Under the terms of the agreement, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of HPE and Juniper, Juniper shareholders will receive $40 per share upon closing.
More information can be found in the press release .
