Softline acquires Makronet
21/09/2022 15:06
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RNS Number : 1930A Softline Holding PLC 21 September 2022
Softline Holding plc
("Softline" or the "Company")
Softline acquires Makronet, the leading Microsoft Cloud Services Partner in
Turkey, continuing its expansion across the Middle East and Africa
London, 21 September 2022 - Softline (LSE: SFTL), the global IT and digital
transformation solutions and services provider, today announced the signing of
an agreement to acquire Makronet, the leading Turkish Microsoft Cloud Services
Provider (CSP) partner. The acquisition represents a significant addition to
Softline's business in Turkey and the MEA region. It contributes to two
dimensions of Softline's three-dimensional growth strategy: geographical
expansion, and strengthening sales channel capabilities with Makronet´s own
platform, MyAdmin.
Softline will significantly strengthen its exisiting business in the booming
Turkish ICT market which was worth $29.9bn in 2021 according to Deloitte and
the Turkish Informatics Industry Association*. With this transaction, Softline
will be able to acquire new capabilities and skills with the great team that
drives Makronet's business. Softline's customers around the world will also
benefit from Makronet's own unique platform MyAdmin, which is globally awarded
by Microsoft. This solution, which simplifies and optimises customers´
management and operations of CSP assets, will complement Softline´s own
ActivePlatform to further digitally transform customers´ ecosystems.
Softline entered the Turkish market in 2008 with major ambitions for rapid
growth; a goal that Makronet will help achieve in the near future working
alongside Softline´s local team. The deal further positions Softline as a
contributor to Turkey´s continuing rise as a destination for Foreign Direct
Investment(FDI), with the country occupying the second position as the most
popular destination for investment among 'emerging Europe' peer countries -
right after Poland which leads the list - according to FDI Markets**.
Founded in 2000, Makronet is an IT solutions provider singularly focused on
Microsoft cloud technologies. The Turkish leading technology company provides
high quality solutions and consulting to its clients in the market. In
addition to Microsoft´s cloud solutions, they also offer Software Asset
Management (SAM) services and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
security services, managed services, enhancing Softline´s own services
offering. Makronet, which has almost 1,000 cloud customers in Turkey, has been
recognised by Microsoft as Modern Workplace for SMB Partner of the Year
2022, SAM Partner of the Year 2019 and Country Partner of the Year 2018.
Makronet also has been awarded by Microsoft Turkey 6 times in a row between
2014 and 2019 as Partner of the Year.
Sergey Chernovolenko, Global CEO at Softline: "When we announced our IPO at
the London Stock Exchange, we made a commitment to our shareholders,
employees, vendors and customers, that we would continue with our
three-dimensional growth strategy to position Softline as an IT leader in
emerging markets. A key part of that promise was our intention to expand to
regions like the Middle East where we see enormous potential. Adding
Makronet's outstanding expertise in providing Microsoft´s solutions to the
Turkish market over the past 20 years is a huge boost to Softline's aim to
become the digital transformation leader in Turkey ---and further strengthen
our position globally."
Güçlü Tuğay, Makronet's Founder and CEO: "This acquisition represents a
massive step for our company´s future. It will help us grow immensely within
the market, but also push us globally thanks to Softline´s worldwide
Microsoft relationships and their global presence. We are very excited to
become part of Softline's team, and I can´t wait to start working together to
continue bringing world-class IT solutions and services to businesses across
the country, the MEA region and beyond".
As key management personnel, Güçlü Tuğay (CEO and Founder), Özgür
Özgüngör (CTO) and Özge Tuğay (COO) will continue to serve at Makronet,
and the whole Makronet team will continue strengthening the company's market
position and accelerate business growth.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and completion.
Media contact
Rocio Herraiz
Head of Global Communications at Softline
rocio.herraiz@softline.com
Eve Frayling
Pagefield PR agency
softline@pagefield.co.uk
+44 (0)7896 540438
About Softline
Softline is a leading global solutions and services provider in digital
transformation and cybersecurity, headquartered in London. The company
enables, facilitates and accelerates digital transformation for its customers'
businesses, connecting 150,000+ organizations from all sectors with 6,000+
best-in-class IT vendors, alongside its own services and solutions.
With a turnover of US$ 2.2 billion in the fiscal year of 2021, Softline is
currently one of the fastest growing companies in the sector. In October 2021,
the company got its primary listing on the London stock exchange (LSE: SFTL).
Softline's growth is underpinned by its three-dimensional strategy to expand
its geography, portfolio and sales channels. The strategy is supported by
Softline's active approach to M&As, enabling the company to take advantage
of the ongoing consolidation in the industry. During the fiscal year of 2021,
Softline has acquired several companies with annual turnover totalling
approximately US$ 200 million, including five acquisitions that have been
announced in the first six weeks of 2022.
Softline's 8,400 employees work in almost 60 countries throughout Asia, Latin
America, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa-markets with significant
growth potential.
About Makronet Technology
Makronet was founded in 2000. Makronet is a Microsoft Gold Partner singularly
focused on Microsoft Cloud Technologies and providing high quality solutions
and consulting to its clients. Makronet provides customers a single point of
contact for all their IT needs including consulting, implementation,
deployment and ongoing management of cloud products including Microsoft 365,
Azure and other Microsoft Cloud products.
In 2012, when Microsoft Cloud products took place in the market in Turkey, we
turned all our focus on Microsoft Cloud Technologies. Awards we have been
winning since 2014 is the most beautiful indicator of this success.
As one of the biggest business partners in Türkiye, whose sole business is
Microsoft, we continue to provide value to our customers with the solutions we
have developed. Thanks to Turkey's largest Cloud Solutions Platform, MyAdmin,
our customers can manage their Microsoft 365 and Azure subscriptions on their
own with loyalty programmes, programmatic campaigns and gamifications, which
increase corporate cybersecurity awareness, and improve cybersecurity
postures. As Teknopark company, we continue our R&D studies, and we
produce solutions that will make our customers' lives easier.
Under the leadership of our founder, Güçlü Tuğay, who have gained
experience by working in many companies for years in this sector, our aim is
to improve and enrich Microsoft cloud solutions, provide our customers to use
Microsoft cloud products safely and efficiently.
Sources used for this press release:
*
https://www.tubisad.org.tr/en/images/pdf/deloitte_tubisad_ict%20market%20report_en.pdf
(https://www.tubisad.org.tr/en/images/pdf/deloitte_tubisad_ict%20market%20report_en.pdf)
** https://www.invest.gov.tr/en/whyturkey/pages/fdi-in-turkey.aspx
(https://www.invest.gov.tr/en/whyturkey/pages/fdi-in-turkey.aspx)
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