According to an exclusive report by Reuters, Logitech and Plantronics are in discussion for the peripheral manufacturer to buy out the Bluetooth headset company. According to sources who asked not to be named in the Reuters report, the deal would see Logitech fork out almost $2.2 billion to buy out Plantronics, the biggest acquisition by Logitech to date.
Logitech and Plantronics have both been suffering from declining revenue, given that PC peripherals market has been on the decline. Plantronics has been in the business of making unified communication systems and wireless headsets including Bluetooth ones. The company’s first products were light weight headsets for airline pilots. The company even made the headsets used by NASA and the one worn by Neil Armstrong on the Apollo 11 mission. Earlier this year, Plantronics acquired Polycom, the industry leader in video conferencing equipment.
Logitech’s acquisition of Plantronics is not final yet and it is entirely possible that the deal might fall through. However, if it does go through, it would give Logitech a serious boost in portfolio for B2B products and Bluetooth headsets for consumers. The deal would also be the largest acquisition of Logitech, given their previous most expensive deal cost the company $85 million in cash and it was to buy out ASTRO gaming as Logitech sought to expand in to the gaming space. As of now, Logitech already owns Ultimate Ears, a company known for some of the best rugged bluetooth speakers, ASTRO, a gaming peripheral manufacturer and Jaybird, a popular IEM manufacturer. The addition of Plantronics to Logitech’s portfolio would be one of great importance, but whether it would lead to profitability for Logitech will remain to be seen.