Avaya shareholders approve private equity buyout

Avaya stockholders this week approved the company's US$8.2 billion acquisition by two private equity firms.

Shareholders voted to adopt the merger agreement between Avaya and Silver Lake Partners and TPG, which will take the company private. Avaya also announced that all regulatory approvals required to complete the transaction have been obtained. Avaya entered into a definitive agreement with Silver Lake Partners and TPG on June 4 for the firms to acquire the company. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Avaya stockholders will be entitled to receive $17.50 per share in cash for each share of the company's common stock, without interest. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of October, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions.

Avaya's deal preceded Friday's $2 billion acquisition of 3Com by Bain Capital and Huawei, which will take 3Com private. Observers say going private makes sense for struggling companies because it allows them to focus on running the company vs. the distraction of shareholder scrutiny.

Nortel, meanwhile, was believed to have been interested in both companies. Nortel declined comment.