The company looks to expand in new directions

Jul 13, 2010 12:50 GMT  ·  By

GFI Software has announced the acquisition of antivirus vendor Sunbelt Software. The company's VIPRE product line will be merged into GFI's own email, Web and network security solutions.

"Over the past several years, we have looked extensively for the best technologies, the best developers and the best management teams that will allow us to expand our current product offerings and to provide the best service we can to our customer base. We were impressed by the high quality and innovative technology that underlies Sunbelt's VIPRE line of products and immediately saw strong synergies between the two companies. We have acquired a good, growing and cash-flow positive business that fits well within GFI's strategic vision to consolidate our products and grow our business," Walter Scott, GFI's chief executive officer, said.

Meanwhile, Sunbelt's CEO Alex Eckelberry explains on the company's blog that the acquisition will provide the necessary resources to develop new technologies for other security areas like vulnerability assessment, patch management or data leakage prevention. He also pointed out that no specific product integration plans have been laid out yet and that the companies are still working on identifying which of their solutions complement each other.

Sunbelt's sales, marketing, finance and technology teams will be merged into GFI's and most of the company's management, including Mr. Eckelberry will also continue with the new organization. Amongst the other people who will stay on are Mark Patton, Sunbelt's VP of Research and Development, Eric Sites, the company's chief technology officer and Bill Emerick, SVP of Products and Services.

It is noted in the press release published by both companies, that Sunbelt's software distribution arm, which has functioned independently of the technology business, is not involved in the deal. Instead it will keep its assets and will continue to function as a separate company.

It’s an exciting day for us here at Sunbelt, and I believe sincerely that this acquisition was in the best interests of all parties — not only our shareholders and employees, but most importantly, our customers and partners,“ Mr. Eckelberry concluded.