Aug 23, 2019

Arthur M. Louis, Chronicle Staff Writer Dec. 15, 1995 Fore Systems, a computer-networking company based in Warrendale, Pa., said yesterday that it will acquire Alantec Corp., a networking company in San Jose, in a stock swap valued at more than $650 million. Alantec, with estimated revenues of $50 million this year, specializes in a technology called multilayer LAN switching, which is used to connect corporate local area networks carrying data at relatively low speeds. Fore Systems, with estimated annual revenues of $150 million, offers a more advanced networking technology -- known as asynchronous transfer mode, or ATM -- which provides greater capacity and can carry multimedia transmissions at high speeds. Its products are generally more expensive than Alantec's. Eric Cooper , chairman and chief executive of Fore Systems, noted that the companies have "complementary" products and customer bases, and that offering both technologies will allow the merged entity to cover all bases. But he added: "The way we view it, all roads lead to ATM," and Alantec's LAN customers will be encouraged to "migrate" to the newer technology. Under the merger agreement, Fore Systems will exchange one share of its stock for each of the 11.1 million Alantec shares outstanding, and Alantec will become a Fore subsidiary. The deal is slated to close in March. At the start of the day, Fore's stock was selling 11 points higher than Alantec's, but traders mostly split the difference, boosting Alantec 3 1/2 to 57 and pushing Fore down 5 to 59 1/2. Alantec's stock has swung wildly this month on relatively heavy trading volume -- from the low 40s to the low 50s, then back to the mid-40s before sprinting ahead 10 points in the past three sessions. "Obviously the invisible hand was at work with the stock," said Todd Dagres , an analyst with Montgomery Securities . "Given the way Alantec was moving, it's safe to say there was some expectation of a takeover." Cooper confirmed that rumors were circulating that his company would buy Alantec. "I don't think anybody knew conclusively, but we did have inquiries about rumors. We don't comment on rumors, but they were on to something." Most Popular