While Agilent Technologies Inc. has completed the acquisition of privately held Eagleware Corp., Anritsu Corp. has inked a definitive agreement to acquire NetTest, a global provider of network monitoring systems and field use communications test products. Anritsu will acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of NetTest A/S. NetTest is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, and has 480 employees. Other primary locations for R&D facilities are in the United States, France and Italy.

Eagleware-Elanix employees have joined Agilent's EEsof division, which is a player in the high-frequency electronic design automation (EDA) market. Norcross, Ga.-based Eagleware-Elanix is noted for products that are easy to use and for its tools for high-frequency design synthesis. The companies' product lines are complementary.

"In comparing the records of both companies, it is clear that a large number of customers have a mix of both Agilent and Eagleware product lines," said Jim McGillivary, Agilent EEsof's general manager and vice president. "This validates our strategy of continuing to offer both product lines, as they are definitely serving two different needs. In particular, the Eagleware products are highly regarded in the market as easy-to-use, cost-effective native PC software suites. We have no intention of changing this."

"Eagleware-Elanix is an employee-owned company, and my discussions with our employees over the past week have shown overwhelming support for this acquisition," said Todd Cutler, president and CEO of Eagleware-Elanix. "A key benefit of the deal is that our GENESYS and ADS customers will see innovations from the combined resources of both companies."

Consistent with a smooth transition, Eagleware-Elanix also announced it is on schedule to ship the GENESYS 2005 suite of products to its installed base of customers. This is the company's most significant new release in several years.

To refocus as a leading measurement player, Agilent Technologies has announced an agreement to divest the Semiconductor Products segment to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) and Silver Lake Partners for $2.66 billion. Plus, it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its stake in Lumileds to Royal Philips Electronics for $950 million plus repayment of $50 million of debt from Lumileds. In addition, it plans to spin off its SoC and memory test businesses as soon as practical in 2006.

NetTest's products address IP next-generation networks and their convergence, including UMTS/3G mobile and VoIP technologies, as well as today's networks in all regions of the world. NetTest also provides high-level field solutions that address the broadband access network that is expanding rapidly in many major metropolitan areas.

Anritsu sees synergies in the technologies acquired, which will enable the faster development of new innovative solutions for customers when coupled with Anritsu's broad technology base. On a combined basis, Anritsu and NetTest have an enviable customer base with a broad coverage of both equipment manufacturers and network operators. In addition, the geographic presence of the combined organization will further enhance Anritsu's ability to locally service and support customers at a higher technical level. In addition to a strong U.S. and western European presence, NetTest has developed robust business in rapidly growing economies, such as Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and South America. Anritsu, on the other hand, can strongly support NetTest's business in Japan and other parts of the Asia Pacific region.

Anritsu's president, Hiromichi Toda, stated "the acquisition of NetTest will accelerate Anritsu's vision to be a global market leader in test and measurement. Together we will work closely with customers to create innovative solutions that increase customer value and create new demand."