Syncsort Inc., backed by Clearlake Capital, has agreed to purchase data integration software developer Trillium Software from Harte Hanks Inc. (NYSE: HHS). The $112 million cash deal is a result of the seller’s initiative to focus on its core marketing strategy and analytics business. Trillium, based in Burlington, Massa, provides data integration and data quality software services for large companies. From its data governance initiatives to its customer experience management tool, Trillium helps businesses to uncover hidden risks to accelerate data compliance all while minimizing operational costs and penalties. Some of the target’s clients include British Airways, HSBC, and Porsche. The deal for Trillium brings together complementary technology for Syncsort, also a data integration and data quality company. The buyer, based in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, specializes in advanced analytics and big data services by manufacturing high speed sorting products. Syncsort’s capabilities power new technology while also reducing the cost of mainframe and legacy systems. The combination of Trillium’s software with the big iron and big data provider will allow customers to apply high-performance and scalable data movement, transformation, profiling, and quality across traditional data management technology. Syncsort’s backer, Clearlake, is a lower middle market private equity firm with more than $3 billion in assets under management. The firm, founded in 2006 and based in Santa Monica, California, targets its investments in core sectors including: industrials and energy, communications, software, consumer and technology-enabled services. In 2016, the PE firm purchased data protection software provider Vision Solutions Inc. from Thoma Bravo LLC and acquired a stake in snacks company That’s How We Roll LLC in March. Clearlake also purchased CNI Enterprises Inc., a manufacturer of interior car trim products in 2015. Harte Hanks is a marketing service company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The firm provides consulting, data and analytics, creative services, digital and social media, marketing strategy, direct mail and supply chain logistics to a variety of industries. From retail and finance to automotive and insurance, some of Harte Hanks client list includes: International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM), HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ), Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT), Samsung Electronics Co., JC Penny Co. Inc. (NYSE:JCP), BMW, HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE: HSBC), and Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE). Credit Suisse (NYSE: CS), Antares Capital, and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey (NYSE: STI) are providing debt financing for the deal. Foros Group is serving as financial adviser to Harte Hanks, while Syncsort’s financial advisers include Credit Suisse, Evercore and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP acted as legal adviser to Harte Hanks, while Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth P.C. served as legal adviser to Clearlake.
