After completing the acquisition of ARRIS, CommScope said that ARRIS CEO Bruce McClelland will join the CommScope leadership team as chief operating officer. On November 8, 2018, CommScope announced an agreement to acquire ARRIS International for about $7.4 billion.
The company’s current COO Morgan Kurk will become chief technology officer of the combined organization. Kurk and McClelland will report to Eddie Edwards, CommScope president and chief executive officer, said a statement.
“We continue to make progress to bring CommScope and ARRIS together and ensure we are better positioned to capitalize on emerging trends, including network convergence, fiber and mobility everywhere, 5G, and Internet of Things,” said Edwards. “Bruce and Morgan will play pivotal roles in leading our combined companies into a successful future. I look forward to working with both of them, along with the entire CommScope management team, in the years to come as we drive profitable growth in new and growing markets, provide end-to-end wired and wireless communications infrastructure solutions and deliver enhanced value to our shareholders.”
“I am very excited to be part of the ARRIS/CommScope combination and look forward to joining such a talented team,” said McClelland. “Since announcing the transaction in November, we have worked closely with Eddie and the CommScope leaders developing detailed plans to capitalize on the incredible opportunities ahead and deliver a seamless transition. I am proud of the hard work and dedication of the ARRIS and CommScope employees. The combined company will aim to shape the future of communication networks for customers around the world and make CommScope one of the most recognized names across the technology landscape.”
“The network architectures that fuel our customers’ businesses are rapidly evolving and converging in a quest for improved speed and efficiency,” said Kurk. “The addition of ARRIS and Ruckus to form the new CommScope will enhance our technology leadership throughout the network from the core, through the access, to the edge. I look forward to helping unlock this potential by driving tighter integration across the company and leadership through the ecosystem.”
Last year in November, CommScope announced an agreement to acquire ARRIS International plc in an all-cash transaction for $31.75 per share, or a total purchase price of approximately $7.4 billion, including the repayment of debt. As previously announced, following completion of the combination, Eddie Edwards will continue in his role as president and chief executive officer of CommScope, with other members of the ARRIS leadership team joining the combined company. The transaction remains on track to close in the first half of 2019.
