Yes Or No – Is Avaya For Sale?

Rumors are flying that telecom company Avaya might be selling all or part of itself. Or, then again, it might not.   Valued at a cool $6.1 billion, thecompany has raised the interest of Cisco Systems, Nortel Networks and Silverlake Partners, an equity company. Avaya hasbrought Credit Suisse on board as an adviser.   Going back, Avaya, one of the main manufacturers of phone equipment, was part of AT&T, then Lucent Technologies, becoming independent in 2000.It currently employs some 20,000 people. In its most recent fiscal year figures, Avaya’s turnover was $5.12 billion, generating a profit of $201 million.   Analysts had identified thecompany as a strong buyout target, and with the amount of activity going on in the telecom sector, it’s quite possible. Speculation grew after the company canceled a meeting with analysts lastweek. According to one analyst,   “I would guess there is an offer on the table. Given the cash flows, it could be private equity, but also there are a number of other strategic buyersthat could be interested.”    The fact that the company is also debt-free makes it especially attractive to potential buyers. However, according to company executives, anynegotiations that might be happening were in the early stages, and there was a strong possibility that the company would remain independent. Last year it was believe that Avaya would buy Siemens, but that never happened.