SoftwareOne to acquire Crayon Group Holding

SoftwareOne to acquire Crayon Group Holding

SoftwareOne Holding AG, a leading global provider of end-to-end software and cloud technology solutions, has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Norwegian competitor Crayon Group Holding ASA in a transaction valued at approximately $1.4 billion.

Transaction Details

The acquisition will be executed through a voluntary stock and cash offer, with Crayon shareholders receiving 0.8233 new shares in SoftwareOne and NOK 69 in cash for each Crayon share. This offer values Crayon at NOK 172.5 per share, representing a 36% premium over its undisturbed share price. SoftwareOne is valued at CHF 10 per share in the share exchange component, a premium of 38%.

The combined entity is expected to generate total revenue of approximately CHF 1.6 billion, with a presence in over 70 countries and a workforce of around 13,000 employees. The merger aims to achieve run-rate cost synergies of CHF 80-100 million within 18 months of completion, in addition to significant revenue synergies. The transaction is anticipated to be highly accretive for shareholders, with expected earnings per share (EPS) accretion of approximately 25%, and over 40% excluding implementation costs by 2026.

About SoftwareOne

Headquartered in Switzerland, SoftwareOne is a global leader in software and cloud technology solutions. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of services that enable businesses to develop and implement their commercial, technology, and digital transformation strategies. This includes modernizing applications, migrating critical workloads to public clouds, and managing and optimizing related software and cloud assets and licensing. SoftwareOne’s proprietary digital platform, PyraCloud, provides customers with data-driven, actionable intelligence. The company operates in 90 countries, serving approximately 65,000 business customers with software and cloud solutions from over 7,500 publishers.

About Crayon Group

Crayon Group Holding ASA is a Norwegian-based company specializing in IT services and innovation, with a strong focus on software asset management, cloud and volume licensing, and associated consulting services. The company assists clients in optimizing their software and cloud investments to drive digital transformation and cost efficiency. Crayon has a significant presence in the EMEA region and has been expanding its footprint globally to meet the growing demand for cloud solutions and services.

Strategic Rationale

The merger of SoftwareOne and Crayon is poised to create a formidable player in the global software and cloud solutions market. By combining their complementary strengths, including geographical reach, customer bases, and service offerings, the unified company aims to better address increasing demand driven by trends such as cloud adoption, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The anticipated cost and revenue synergies are expected to enhance profitability and drive accelerated growth, creating significant value for shareholders and employees alike.

Next Steps

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and the acceptance of at least 90% of Crayon’s shares. Both companies have expressed confidence in the strategic merits of the deal and are committed to a seamless integration process. The deal is expected to close by the third quarter of 2025.

This acquisition marks a significant milestone in the software and cloud solutions industry, reflecting the ongoing consolidation trend as companies seek to expand their capabilities and global reach to better serve an increasingly digital and interconnected world.