HDS seeks to acquire Shoden

Storage vendor acquires technology partner after more than a decade of partnership

Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) has announced plans to acquire storage systems integrator Shoden Data Systems.

South Africa-based Shoden has subsidiaries in the UK, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania, and has been an HDS technology partner for more than a decade.

The storage vendor said it plans to use Shoden's African footprint to expand its operations across the continent, but the deal needs to win the backing of the South Africa Competition Commission first.

The agreement comes less than a month after HDS's acquisition of NAS vendor BlueArc, another of the firm's long-standing partners.

In a statement, HDS said the acquisition would also improve service levels and reduce costs for the vendor's existing African customers.

Niels Svenningsen, senior vice president of HDS EMEA, described the deal as a logical next step for the two firms.

"Shoden has achieved great success and leadership in South Africa, creating a strong customer base and building a skilled and motivated team," he said.

"Together, as a united company, we are committed to continuing the outstanding support given to all our customers and continue to grow across Africa."

Marc Trevenen, managing director of Shoden, added: "Joining forces would be a win-win situation for our employees, our partners and our customers, and enable our organisation to develop and prosper."