BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins
(Credit: Geoff
Robins/AFP/GettyImages)
Struggling smartphone maker BlackBerry is in touch with Google, Samsung,
Intel, and other tech heavyweights about a possible buyout, according to a
Reuters report.
The news agency cites several unnamed sources "close to the matter" in reporting that
the Canadian company "has asked for preliminary expressions of interest from
potential strategic buyers" by early next week. Those contacted include Cisco,
Google, Intel, LG, Samsung, and SAP, Reuters said, adding that those companies
declined to comment (or, in Samsung's case, hadn't yet replied).
Last month, Toronto-based insurer Fairfax Financial Holdings said it would lead a consortium that intends to take BlackBerry private, with a tentative $4.7 billion bid. The embattled smartphone maker is also said to have attracted interest from firms specializing in "distressed investing," including private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP.BlackBerry is floating the idea of a complete or partial acquisition, Reuters reports, and "the potential technology buyers have been especially interested in BlackBerry's secure server network and patent portfolio, although doubts about the assets' value remain an issue." It's not clear if any of the companies will make an offer.
In response to Reuters' queries about this latest info, BlackBerry told the
news agency in a statement only that "the special committee, with the assistance
of BlackBerry's independent financial and legal advisers, is conducting a robust
and thorough review of strategic alternatives."
BlackBerry also apparently has
some office space for sale.
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