Apple Makes Offer to Acquire German Television Maker Loewe?

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Posted May 13, 2012 at 12:38am by Shalom Levytam

Apple has reportedly offered to purchase Loewe AG, a German manufacturer and distributor of high-end televisions, reports AppleInsider.

Apple's offer has not yet been accepted; however, their source claims that Loewe "has been advised by its financial advisor to accept the offer and a final decision is scheduled to be announced internally before 18 May 2012."

This person said Apple is confidentially offering 87.3 million euros (about $112 million U.S.), a slight premium over the firm's last closing share price of 4.519 euros (giving it a market cap of 58.79 million euros or $76 million U.S.). Loewe's primary shareholders currently include Sharp (28.83 percent) and LaCie (11.17 percent).

Rumors of an Apple branded television have long existed. Just yesterday it was reported that Foxconn Chief Terry Gou said his company is making to manufacturer the device. Foxconn also entered into a partnership with Sharp for a LCD panel plant in Sakai-city, Osaka, Japan.

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NoGoodNick - May 13, 2012 at 10:20am

The Patent theory really doesn't hold up here, since Apple is much more involved in Creating new patents rather than in suing other companies over obscure patents from long past. That's the direction of companies that have nothing to compete with. Apple, unfortunately, has had to fight that battle to compete with the many claims against it, but I can't see them doing it as a marketing strategy. Instead I think they're buying Loewe so that they can better control the whole process, design, marketing and distribution. They don't only want to sell a new TV, they want to make it as well.

TierryP - May 13, 2012 at 9:42am

Going for the patents makes sense. But maybe they go for some of the concepts as well. http://thenextweb.com/gadgets/2011/02/03/loewe-invisio-a-stunning-transparent-flat-screen-tv/

Stub - May 13, 2012 at 7:17am

For me it makes sense! Buy loewe and you buy a lot of patents. I think thats the reason.

Steve - May 13, 2012 at 5:23am

Great move! But, did Apple really need to buy a TV brand, I dont think so...

Pundit - May 13, 2012 at 10:49am

Perhaps it was a case of Loewe at first site.

tdtran1025 - May 13, 2012 at 5:22am

I dont see logic in this. A has all the technologies and manufacturing all set to go. As fas distribution channel, their brand name sits on top of the world.

Thai - May 13, 2012 at 1:00am

Lol y not just acquire Vizio, USA. They have improved significantly in the last few yrs.

Nitro Junkie - May 13, 2012 at 6:05am

Vizio has improved alot over the years that Is true. But they are nowhere close to competing with the quality or design of Loewe products. Loewe tvs are in a class of their own. In my opinion theyre Probably some of the best designed and best quality tvs in the world. Kind of just like apple with their products. Apple buying loewe would help them get into the tv market faster instead of starting from scratch.

Thai - May 13, 2012 at 9:23am

Lol if Loewe is so great why is there company only worth less than $100 million. Apple already has its crazy tech for a display. They've been making better phone screen with higher resolution n ppi compared to any other smart phone. And the retina display, that's not enough to make a tv?