Mobile devices Toolkit

Motorola eyes Sagem acquisition

Jo Best silicon.com

Published: 27 Oct 2006 11:10 BST

Motorola seems once again to be on the acquisition trail — an exec has confirmed that the world's No. 2 handset maker has its eye on French phone and fax maker Sagem.

Roland Garriques, head of Motorola's mobile devices business, told French daily Le Figaro the company is very interested in acquiring Sagem, which is owned by French group Safran.

He said: "We have a serious interest in Sagem. It's an option for an industry that's in the middle of consolidation... I don't know yet whether we'll get it."

According to Garriques, Sagem's staff would be the main asset in such an acquisition. "When I envisage an acquisition, the teams are the determining factor. The brand, the technology aren't the main elements that matter to me. For me, like for my competitors, the management team at Sagem is perhaps one of the most respected in the sector," he said.

In a statement from Sagem's parent Safran, the company said it noted "with satisfaction" Motorola's interest but said it was still considering its options.

The statement said: "Safran highlights that the possibility of a tie-up with another player is only one option among others to guarantee the future of the business."

Should Motorola get its chequebook out, it would be the second time in as many months. It acquired Symbol for $3.9bn (£2bn) in September.