Exclusive: Logitech in talk to acquire headphone maker Plantronics – sources

(Reuters) – Logitech International SA ( LOGN.S ), a Swiss manufacturer of keyboards and webcams, is in discussions to acquire Plantronics Inc. ( PLT.N ), a US maker of Bluetooth earpieces and gaming headsets, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

The deal would be by far Logitech's largest acquisition and would illustrate The company pushes to diversify its business. Logitech and Plantronics streven til at holde ned produktionsomkostningerne efter introduktionen af ​​importafgifter fra Kina til USA.

Logitech has offered more than $ 2.2 billion (£ 1.7 billion) to acquire Plantronics, one of the sources said. As of the end of trading on Friday, Plantronics had a market capitalization of about $ 2 billion.

Als de onderhandelingen succesvol zijn, zou een overeenkomst tussen Logitech en Plantronics kunnen komen als volgende week, de bronnen toegevoegd, waarschuwing dat het ook mogelijk was dat er geen afspraak zou worden bereikt.

De bronnen werden niet geïdentificeerd omdat de onderhandelingen vertrouwelijk zijn. Logitech and Plantronics did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

Logitech's and Plantronics' businesses have been under pressure as a result of new offerings being developed, not only from network gear makers such as Cisco Systems Inc. ( CSCO.O ), but also from major technology companies such as Microsoft Inc. ( MSFT.O ) and Google Owner Alphabet Inc ( GOOGL.O ).

Founded in 1981, Logitech has been countering declining sales of personal computers by focusing on consumer accessories that benefit from the growth of cloud computing, such as gaming, music, smart home connectivity and video conferencing. The Lausanne-based company has a market capitalization of $ 5.6 billion.

Last year, Logitech acquired ASTRO Gaming for $ 85 million in cash to expand in the video game sector.

Santa Cruz, California-based Plantronics makes unified communications systems, wireless headsets, conferencing systems, and some software, which sells to businesses and consumers.

Founded in 1961, Plantronics' first products were lightweight headsets for airline pilots. It later became known for selling headsets to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), including those worn by Neil Armstrong during his first moonwalk in 1969.

A sale of Plantronics would come on the heels of the company's $ 2 billion acquisition in July of US video conferencing equipment maker Polycom Inc.

Private equity company Siris Capital Group LLC owns 16 percent of Plantronics, making it its largest shareholder. Reuters had reported earlier this month that Plantronics was exploring a sale.