Hitachi Data Systems, which provides storage systems, software and services, has acquired BlueArc after forming a five-year partnership with the business.

Hitachi Data Systems, which provides storage systems, software and services, has acquired BlueArc after forming a five-year partnership with the business.

The US-based business, which is a subsidiary of technology company Hitachi, has six UK offices with its European Headquarters in Buckinghamshire.

California-based BlueArc supplies data storage services to customers through its network attached storage (NAS) services.

Hitachi Data Systems, which is not known for making many acquisitions, says the deal will allow the combined businesses to bolster its product line and provide integrated software and hardware.

While the acquisition price was undisclosed, the deal for all outstanding shares of BlueArc was financed in an all-cash transaction.

Jack Domme, chief executive officer of Hitachi Data Systems, comments: ‘The exponential growth of digital content, particularly unstructured content, has had a dramatic effect on all businesses, including the requirements on IT.

‘Over the past 5 years, BlueArc has been an integral part of our strategy to help customers store and manage unstructured data of all types, such as video, email, medical imaging, scientific data and more.’

Domme believes that bringing BlueArc to Hitachi will allow for more integrated technologies and a ‘deeper expertise’ globally.

Mike Gustafson, chief executive officer of BlueArc, says that this is a critical time in information technology.

He adds: ‘We will help customers assess and map their business priorities and deliver information services as we work collectively to continue to define next generation information centres amidst the expanding world of file and content.’

Wells Fargo Securities was the financial adviser to Hitachi Data Systems. BofA Merrill Lynch acted as financial adviser and Credit Suisse as a co-adviser to BlueArc on the transaction.