Veteran technology executive Rob Johnson to lead new standalone company following sale to Platinum Equity
New era begins focused on speed, technology innovation and growth, with added flexibility to serve expanding markets for cloud computing,
mobile networking
Columbus, Ohio – (Nov. 30, 2016) – The business now formerly
known as Emerson Network Power today announced the appointment of Rob Johnson
as CEO and officially commenced a campaign to rebrand the standalone company as
Vertiv.
Vertiv is a global provider of mission-critical
infrastructure technologies for vital applications in data centers,
communication networks, and commercial and industrial environments. The
company, which is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio (USA), has more than 20,000
employees and more than 25 manufacturing and assembly facilities worldwide.
Platinum Equity acquired the business today from Emerson in
a transaction valued in excess of $4 billion.
Emerson also retained a minority interest in the company.
Mr. Johnson, most recently an operating partner at Kleiner
Perkins Caufield & Byers, spent 10 years at American Power Conversion
(APC), a leader in data center infrastructure.
He was President and CEO of APC when the company was sold to Schneider
Electric for $6.1 billion in 2007. While
at APC he also served as General Manager of the company’s Availability
Enhancement Group.
Bryan Kelln, partner and president of portfolio operations
at Platinum Equity, said Mr. Johnson’s leadership skills and technical
expertise make him a perfect fit to lead Vertiv.
“Rob has a unique blend of industry knowledge, operational
acumen and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Mr. Kelln. “This is a transformational
opportunity for the company and we believe Rob is the right leader to grow the
business as we establish a culture focused on speed, innovation and customer
service.”
In addition to his career at APC, Mr. Johnson has worked in
executive positions at Consolidated Container Corporation, a provider of rigid
plastic packaging solutions.
In 1989, Mr. Johnson founded Systems Enhancement Corporation
(SEC), a company that created innovative software and hardware solutions for
the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) industry. He sold the company to APC in
1997.
“Rob knows the technology inside out, especially in data
center environments, and understands what customers need,” added Mr.
Kelln. “He knows what it takes as a CEO
to inspire employees and lead a profitable, global enterprise. He’s also an innovator who shares our vision
for what Vertiv can become as a standalone business.”
Mr. Johnson said the transition to new ownership provides a
unique opportunity for the company.
“It’s a fresh start for a business that already has so much
going for it. I look forward to working with my new colleagues at Vertiv as we
begin this transformational chapter in the company’s history,” said Mr.
Johnson. “As an independent company, Vertiv will operate with great freedom to
make business strategy and investment decisions, move more quickly like a
startup, and focus on innovative solutions for our customers,
including those in the growing cloud computing, mobile and IoT networks.”
Vertiv will build on the broad portfolio of product and
service offerings for power, thermal and IT management capabilities it
previously offered as Emerson Network Power, including its industry-leading
flagship brands ASCO®, Chloride®, Liebert®,
NetSure™ and Trellis™.
Platinum Equity Partner Jacob Kotzubei said that Platinum
Equity’s M&A and operational resources, and the firm’s strong relationship
with Emerson, will benefit Vertiv in the short and long term.
“We will support Vertiv’s growth and product innovation every
step of the way, both organically and through prospective add-on acquisitions,”
said Mr. Kotzubei. “This is our second
partnership with Emerson and we have had great success together. We look forward to a seamless transition and
an exciting future for Vertiv and the customers it serves.”
In November 2013 Platinum Equity acquired a controlling
stake in Emerson’s embedded computing and power business, which was later
rebranded Artesyn Embedded Technologies.
In support of its rebranding as Vertiv, the company has
unveiled its new website at www.VertivCo.com
and starting in January 2017, will launch an advertising campaign to introduce
its new brand with the theme “Your Mission is Critical.” The campaign will run
in major business and technology industry print and online media, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes,
Fast Company, Wired, TechCrunch and IDG Tech Network.
Vertiv supports its business customers’ evolving needs in
digital infrastructure, including solutions for mobile, cloud and edge
computing, as well as in data center collocation, energy storage and
sustainability. The company has sales and service personnel in virtually every
major country, backed by over 255 service centers worldwide, with over 3,000
service field engineers and more than 400 technical support/response people.
About Vertiv
Vertiv designs, builds and services critical infrastructure
that enables vital applications for data centers, communication networks, and
commercial and industrial facilities. Formerly Emerson Network Power, Vertiv
supports today’s growing mobile and cloud computing markets with a portfolio of
power, thermal and infrastructure management solutions including the ASCO®,
Chloride®, Liebert®, NetSure™ and Trellis™ brands. Sales in
fiscal 2016 were $4.4 billion. For more
information, visit VertivCo.com.
About Platinum Equity
Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global
investment firm with a portfolio of approximately 25 operating companies that
serve customers around the world. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers and
operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® - acquiring and
operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including
manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental,
metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and
other industries. Over the past 20 years, Platinum Equity has completed
more than 175 acquisitions.
