International Business Systems, a leading application supplier for wholesale and distribution, has released a statement on media speculation about rumors that a third party company is in discussions with IBS to acquire all or part of the company. The speculation has IBS, leading to suspension of trading of the IBS share on the NASDAQ OMX First North Exchange Stockholm. 

IBS confirms that third parties have contacted the Board of Directors of IBS and indicated interests to acquire all or part of IBS. These contacts have not been initiated by the IBS Board. As the software industry is consolidating and in the interest of the shareholders of IBS, the IBS Board has decided that it should evaluate the strategic options for the company. Discussions in relation to a possible transaction are ongoing but at an early stage and no binding declaration of interest has been received. Further, no time table for possible continued discussions has been agreed. 

IBS will submit further information if and when so is required.

IBS AB (PUBL), by the Board of Directors 

For further comment, please contact: 

Christian Paulsson, director of the Board

Phone: +46 70 211 0010

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

About IBS

International Business Systems (IBS), the leading business application supplier for wholesale and distribution, helps companies differentiate themselves on the strength of their distribution operations. 

Founded in 1978, IBS has over 30 years of experience in the distribution industries ranging from automotive and electronics to paper, publishing, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage. This deep understanding of distribution models and best practices is embodied within IBS Enterprise, a distribution resource management application suite on which thousands of the world’s most successful companies now rely. 

IBS B share is listed on NASDAQ OMX First North Exchange Stockholm. For more information, visit www.ibs.net.

After a turbulent few years, IBS has become a revitalized business with long-tem and profitable structure. Now in its 33rd year, IBS is still the world leader in distribution resource management with offices and partners in over 40 locations and more than 4000 customers throughout the world.

International Business Systems, IBS, was founded in 1978, when Staffan Ahlberg and Gunnar Rylander decided to turn the IT division of Ekonomisk Företagsledning into an independent company. The company’s first major success was a global assignment to develop an order processing system for all of Alfa Laval’s international subsidiaries. This type of close, long-term partnership set the company on a course of exceptionally close cooperation with customers, which is the backbone of the current strategy for recovery.

The company joined the Stockholm Stock exchange in 1986 and around that time established close cooperation with IBM. IBS became one of the leading suppliers of software for the IBM AS/400 (now Series i). In 2001, IBS set a new record by achieving the highest transaction volumes ever recorded in IBM’s testing lab in Rochester, New York for the AS/400.

 

During the second half of last year, IBS launched an extensive program to transform inefficiency and loss into a revitalized operation with long-range profit-able growth. A new organization and an extensive cost-reduction program yielded quick results and the last two quarters of the year were much stronger than the first two. This trend has continued into 2011.

The appointment of Johan Bergs as new CEO and the development of a fundamentally new platform for business has turned the company in the right direction and has created a confidence and renewed focus which is characterizing the new IBS.