(Adds executive comments, details)
By Narottam Medhora
Dec 6 (Reuters) - GoDaddy Inc
GDDY.N
, a U.S.-based website domain name provider, said on Tuesday that it would buy peer Host Europe Group (HEG) for 1.69 billion euros ($1.82 billion), including debt, as it seeks to expand beyond the initial set-up of websites.
GoDaddy has branched into the more profitable business of hosting websites for small businesses and consumers and the HEG deal will help it accelerate this shift as well as broaden its customer base in Europe.
The deal gives the company a five-year jump in Europe, GoDaddy Chief Executive Blake Irving said in an interview.
HEG is one of Europe's largest independent web hosting firms and operates brands such as 123Reg, Domain Factory, Heart Internet and Host Europe.
GoDaddy, well-known in the United States for its sometimes outrageous TV marketing campaigns, trumped bids from German Internet service provider United Internet AG
UTDI.DE
and Deutsche Telekom AG
DTEGn.DE
for the company.
Reuters had reported last month that GoDaddy was in exclusive talks to buy the company.
HEG is currently owned by European private equity firm Cinven Ltd
CINV.UL
, which acquired the business in August 2013 for 438 million pounds ($558.06 million).
Irving said the company had considered buying HEG in 2013, but dropped the plan over integration concerns.
GoDaddy also said it would explore options for HEG's PlusServer managed hosting business, including a possible sale.
HEG's chief executive, Patrick Pulvermuller, will lead European operations of the combined company.
GoDaddy said HEG was on track to generate about $328 million in bookings and about $139 million in adjusted EBITDA in 2016.
($1 = 0.9284 euros)
($1 = 0.7849 pounds)
(Reporting by Narottam Medhora in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Savio D'Souza) ((narottam.medhora@thomsonreuters.com; Within U.S. 1-646-223-8780, Outside U.S. +91 8067496409 ; Reuters Messaging: narottam.medhora.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
By Narottam Medhora
Dec 6 (Reuters) - GoDaddy Inc
GoDaddy has branched into the more profitable business of hosting websites for small businesses and consumers and the HEG deal will help it accelerate this shift as well as broaden its customer base in Europe.
The deal gives the company a five-year jump in Europe, GoDaddy Chief Executive Blake Irving said in an interview.
HEG is one of Europe's largest independent web hosting firms and operates brands such as 123Reg, Domain Factory, Heart Internet and Host Europe.
GoDaddy, well-known in the United States for its sometimes outrageous TV marketing campaigns, trumped bids from German Internet service provider United Internet AG
Reuters had reported last month that GoDaddy was in exclusive talks to buy the company.
HEG is currently owned by European private equity firm Cinven Ltd
Irving said the company had considered buying HEG in 2013, but dropped the plan over integration concerns.
GoDaddy also said it would explore options for HEG's PlusServer managed hosting business, including a possible sale.
HEG's chief executive, Patrick Pulvermuller, will lead European operations of the combined company.
GoDaddy said HEG was on track to generate about $328 million in bookings and about $139 million in adjusted EBITDA in 2016.
($1 = 0.9284 euros)
($1 = 0.7849 pounds)
(Reporting by Narottam Medhora in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Savio D'Souza) ((narottam.medhora@thomsonreuters.com; Within U.S. 1-646-223-8780, Outside U.S. +91 8067496409 ; Reuters Messaging: narottam.medhora.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
