SDL plc (“SDL” or the “Company”), the leading provider of Global Information Management solutions, today announces the acquisition of Fredhopper, a recognized leader in targeting and marketing software for eCommerce. This acquisition is a further step in SDL’s strategy and commitment to delivering best-of -breed solutions for enterprises with complex, multilingual sales and marketing and customer support requirements. The gross assets being acquired are less than 5% of SDL’s gross assets.

SDL has seen a growing demand for solutions that manage and optimize high value customer engagements to drive online revenue and improve customer satisfaction across multiple channels. SDL already has over 600 customers that have adopted its enterprise Web Content Management solution including HP, AIG, Canon, Yamaha, Toyota, Metlife, BBVA, Universal Studios, and Reebok.

The deal will allow Fredhopper, which counts Clarks, Toys R Us, B&Q, Waitrose and Otto Group - the world's second biggest eCommerce company behind Amazon.com - among its stable of over 100 large international retail customers, to embark on a global rollout of its product suite and expand operations into the US and Asia. The company currently operates in four European countries – the UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands. 

Fredhopper will become an independent division of SDL that will be named ‘SDL eCommerce Technologies.’ The division will be led by Fredhopper’s current management team, and be focused on providing targeting and marketing software for online retailers.

“Fredhopper adds another essential building block to SDL‘s Global Information Management Platform, and reaffirms SDL’s strategy and commitment to delivering best-of-breed solutions to manage online customer interaction,” said Mark Lancaster, Chairman and CEO of the SDL Group. “Fredhopper gives us a strategic entry into the retail and eCommerce markets, offers market-leading technology that fits well into our Global Information Management Platform, and provides an additional SaaS offering in our product portfolio.”

In particular, Fredhopper brings a proven technology for effective targeting and personalization, intelligent search, merchandizing and measurement. In addition, Fredhopper brings innovative and established R&D and Professional Services teams into the larger SDL Group.

“This is extremely positive news for our company and increases the value we deliver to our customers in a number of ways,” said Joris Beckers, CEO of Fredhopper. “Joining forces with SDL allows us to expand beyond Europe to customers in the US and Asian markets, leveraging SDL’s global operational scale. Competing in more markets will give us the opportunity to partner with more premier retail brands which will enhance our products further, making them better for all customers.”

The acquisition will also enable Fredhopper to launch its online targeting technology into new verticals – namely financial services, insurance, and manufacturing, through SDL’s existing Web Content Management solutions. Beckers continued: “Cross fertilization across verticals always brings out new insights that will again deepen our products for the benefit of all our customers. Fredhopper's mission has always been to offer superior tools to optimize every digital interaction. With SDL, we will achieve more of this faster.”

“What we have seen in the past 12 months is a number of our larger customers adopting multiple SDL solutions, giving our customers a complete integrated solution,” SDL’s Lancaster added. “The Fredhopper technologies are a very important enhancement of SDL’s online marketing capabilities.”

Join us for an informational webinar on January 18, 2010 at 16:00 GMT / 17:00 CET to learn more about the acquisition, the management team and the product roadmap. Register today at our website.