Randstad has signed a definitive agreement with Monster Worldwide to acquire the latter in an all cash deal worth $3.40 per share, or a total purchase price of approximately $429 million which is the enterprise value. Randstad Holding, a leading HR service provider, and Monster Worldwide, a global leader in connecting jobs and people said in a press release. 

By leveraging Monster’s multiple distribution channels to bridge two different but complementary parts of the extended recruiting industry, Randstad intends to build the world’s most comprehensive portfolio of HR services. Monster will continue operating as a separate and independent entity under the Monster name.

Wells Fargo Securities is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Randstad and Jones Day is serving as legal counsel. Evercore Group L.L.C. is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Monster and Dechert LLP is serving as legal counsel.

The Boards of Directors of both Randstad and Monster have unanimously approved the terms of the merger agreement, and the Board of Directors of Monster has resolved to recommend that shareholders accept the offer, once it is commenced. The acquisition is structured as an all-cash tender offer for all outstanding issued common stock of Monster followed by a merger in which remaining shares of Monster would be converted into the same U.S. dollar per share consideration as in the tender offer. The transaction does not have a financing condition and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2016, subject to regulatory approvals.

“In an era of massive technological change, employers are challenged to identify better ways to source and engage talent,” said Jacques van den Broek, CEO of Randstad. “With its industry leading technology platform and easy to use digital, social and mobile solutions, Monster is a natural complement to Randstad. The transaction is aligned with our Tech and Touch growth strategy and reflects our commitment to bringing labour supply and demand closer together to better connect the right people to the right jobs. We look forward to welcoming the Monster team and working together to shape the evolving global job industry.”

“Joining Randstad provides a unique opportunity to accelerate our ability to connect more people to more jobs,” said Tim Yates, CEO of Monster. “Together with Randstad, Monster will be better positioned to fulfill our core mission, and our employees will benefit from becoming part of a larger, more diversified company. Equally important, this transaction offers immediate value to our shareholders. We are excited to join and be supported by Randstad, as we continue to build the best recruiting media, technologies, and platforms. We look forward to working with the Randstad team to ensure a smooth transition.”

What’s the Strategic and Financial Benefits 

• Brings Together Complementary Visions to Lead Transformation: Randstad and Monster have a shared vision for the global job industry, which is rapidly transforming as a result of technology advances. The transaction is intended to accelerate their ability to develop new and innovative capabilities that deliver greater value to job seekers and employers by bringing labor supply and demand closer together.
  
  
• Creates Most Comprehensive and Technologically Advanced Capabilities for Human Resources Services: Randstad continues to enhance its business model in the rapidly shifting landscape, placing annually more than 2 million people worldwide through its network of more than 4,500 branches and client-dedicated services. With the addition of Monster’s leading recruiting media, technologies, and platforms which connect people and jobs in more than 40 countries, Randstad intends to further expand its services to offer both clients and candidates tools for increased efficiency and engagement, connecting more people to more jobs.
  
  
• Financially Compelling: The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Randstad earnings per share. 

Randstad intends to finance the acquisition through its existing credit facilities. The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the tender of the majority of the outstanding Monster shares and the expiration or earlier termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and the approval of the European Commission (or the approval by those national competition authorities in the European Union that have jurisdiction as a result of a referral of the transaction under the EU Merger Regulation (Council Regulation 139/2004 of the European Union)) of the transaction pursuant to the EU Merger Regulation. Monster is expected to be delisted from the NYSE and integrated into Randstad thereafter.