On November 11, 2020, CEE Legal Matters reported that Balcioglu Selcuk Ardiyok Keki Attorney Partnership advised Fujitsu Technology Solutions Bilisim on its sale of 100% of shares from shareholders Fujitsu Technology Solutions GmbH and Fujitsu Technology Solutions Holding B.V. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Scott Mortimer, Vice President, Legal Commercial and Compliance at Fujitsu Australia Limited, to learn more about the sale.
CEEIHM: To begin, please tell our readers a bit about your company.
Scott: Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology company, offering a full range of technology products, solutions, and services. Approximately 130,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. Our purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. To achieve our purpose, we deliver value to customers in two business areas. The first area, "For Growth," contributes to developing customer business through digital transformation and modernization. The second area, "For Stability," contributes to the stable operation of customers' businesses through traditional IT services. By creating value in ways unique to Fujitsu in these two business domains, we strive to be our customers' best partner in digital transformation and achieve their stable growth over the long term.
CEEIHM: BASEAK recently advised your company on the sale of Fujitsu Technology Solutions to Teknoser in Turkey. What was the reason behind the sale?
Scott: Fujitsu has decided to move to a channel-driven model in Turkey, as part of a wider initiative to improve operational performance and competitiveness in key industries and markets in the EMEA region. Fujitsu’s strong channel partner network is the primary route to market for our product portfolio in the region, and with this step, we are building on longstanding partnerships and investing further in a sophisticated channel ecosystem to strengthen the distribution of Fujitsu products and product-related services.
CEEIHM: What can we expect from your company next, now that the sale is concluded?
Scott: Fujitsu is committed to our partners and to channel-centricity. In Turkey, our services customers will continue to receive attentive, high-quality support as well as continued access to the portfolio of Fujitsu products and solutions they know and trust, now through Hitay and Teknoser or Ingram Micro Turkey. Our Fujitsu SELECT Partners in Turkey will be able to continue accessing our products for their customers via their distribution partner and can expect the same high levels of product service & support, now from the Teknoser or Ingram Micro Turkey team. More broadly, we have very recently announced a new ecosystem platform, designed to help partners succeed in today’s data-driven era. The platform provides a dynamic space where customers and existing and new partners can collaborate, innovate, and generate new business value.
CEEIHM: How was the legal work split up between your in-house team and the BASEAK?
Scott: BASEAK is a long-term legal services supplier to Fujitsu. This successful relationship made them the natural choice to advise on a sensitive and complex transaction involving the sale of Fujitsu’s subsidiary in Turkey to Teknoser. BASEAK provided local legal advice and the in-house team advised on issues outside of Turkey, as well as providing advice on corporate positions for such transactions. In addition, BASEAK’s expert M&A team was able to advise on market conditions in Turkey to optimize the transaction for Fujitsu.
CEEIHM: Finally, what made you choose that firm as your legal advisor?
Scott: As stated above, Baseak’s long relationship with Fujitsu and their knowledge of the business, coupled with their expertise in M&A transactions, made that firm the best choice for Fujitsu.
