Gateway Computers Puts Fear In Competitors With Acquisition Of Packard Bell

Gateway Computer announced this past Monday that it has agreed to take over a controlling interest in the pare company of Paris-based PC maker Packard Bell. Gateway exercised its right of first refusal to acquire sharers of PB Holding Co. from its largest shareholder, Lap Shun (John) Hui and Clifford Holdings Ltd., an entity controlled by Hui. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The purchase – funded by Taiwan based Acer computers, which announced it would acquire Gateway six weeks ago – keeps Packard Bell out of the hands of Acer's rival, the Lenovo Group Ltd. of China. Lenovo had announced earlier in August its intention to purchase Packard Bell and gain a foothold in the European market.

Acer's acquisition of Gateway is expected to close by December, while Gateway's purchase of Packard Bell's parent company should close in the fourth quarter of 2007 or the first quarter of 2008, Gateway said in a statement earlier this week.

With the combined acquisitions of Gateway and Packard Bell, Acer is expected to take over as the third-largest PC maker in the world, behind Hewlett-Packard and Dell and ahead of Lenovo. This should come as good news to stockholders in Gateway as their stock rose up a few points upon the news of acquiring Packard Bell.

With our top of the line products, you can sure that you spend the maximum amount of time using your laptop instead of waiting for it to charge.

Click here to buy cheap low cost laptop batteries!