ATLANTA, U.S. - Aug 1st 2014: Travelport Worldwide Limited (“Travelport”) announced today that it has increased its ownership stake in eNett International (“eNett”), its joint venture with PSP International established in 2009 to provide state-of-the-art innovative and integrated payment solutions tailored specifically for the travel industry.
Since the joint venture’s inception in June of 2009, Travelport has held a majority stake of 57% whilst its partner, PSP International held the remainder. The successful first five years of operation has seen the business develop from incubation, through launch and it has now become a growing part of Travelport’s Beyond Air portfolio and part of the Travelport strategy to redefine travel commerce. In the deal announced today, Travelport has elected to acquire an additional 16% from PSP International raising its holding to 73% in a transaction which values the eNett business at $450m.
At the same time, PSP International has entered into a long term agreement with eNett to provide various banking services to the company including PSP International becoming the primary issuer of Virtual Account Numbers (“VANS”) used by eNett. eNett will now also be able to expand its innovative platform and operating system outside the travel industry.
“eNett is a significant element in realising Travelport’s goal to redefine travel commerce, enabling a range of state-of-the-art and innovative alternative payment methods for B2B transactions which represent a considerable global market opportunity,” said Gordon Wilson, President and CEO of Travelport. “Travelport felt that the time is right to own more of this growing business and this deal provides the opportunity for the two shareholders in eNett to play to their respective strengths. These are, on the one hand, the banking services expertise offered by PSP International, and, on the other hand, the platform, the global network of travel agency and travel product supplier relationships and the system capabilities that Travelport offers.”
“Following the signing of a significant multi-year extension of our partnership with MasterCard announced last month, this new agreement allows eNett to further leverage the expertise of its respective shareholders as it continues to expand into other markets and verticals around the world,”said Anthony Hynes, eNett International Managing Director and CEO.
"The new shareholding agreement enables PSP to cement its relationship with Travelport at a broader level and for the longer term,” said Rob Bishop, Managing Director of PSP International. "We are looking forward to continuing to provide eNett with access to a range of new and innovative payment services, including more flexible transaction funding models and ongoing support for new products and services.”
Since launching eNett Virtual Account Numbers (VANs) in 2011, eNett has enjoyed global success, helping to facilitate supplier payments for customers across 47 countries around the world. Using unique MasterCard VANs, eNett provides travel companies with a fast, easy and secure way to pay, or to be paid. eNett VANs reduce risk of fraudulent transactions and improve overall payment, reconciliation and tracking processes.
Morgan Stanley served as strategic and financial advisor to Travelport on this transaction. Financial Technology Partners LP and FTP Securities LLC (“FT Partners”) served as exclusive financial and strategic advisor to PSP International.
Media and Investor Contacts:
Travelport Media: Kate Aldridge Vice President, Corporate Communications Tel: +44 (0)1753 288 720 kate.aldridge@travelport.com
Investors: Peter Golby Vice President, Investor Relations T +44 (0) 1753 288 187 M +44 (0) 7908 408 108 peter.golby@travelport.com
eNett International Ping Chew Communications Manager ping.chew@enett.com
PSP International Robert Bishop Managing Director Tel: +61 457 700 001 robert.bishop@pspintl.com
Posted on: Aug 3 2014
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