Eastern and Central European publisher 1C Company announces they are acquiring
Russian publishing and distributor BUKA:
MOSCOW, Russia- July 17, 2008 -
Leading Eastern and Central European publisher 1C Company officially announced
today that it has signed an agreement in which it has acquired one of the
largest Russian publishing and distribution companies, BUKA.
1C and BUKA are two of the most well known brands in the Russian games and
multimedia market. Future cooperation opens new horizons for the strategic
development of both companies.
A merger is currently not planned, but managers of both enterprises will try to
make the best use of the synergy in their publishing, distribution and marketing
activities. This approach will give both 1C and BUKA a chance to develop even
faster, outstripping the market's rate of growth.
"BUKA is one of the oldest players on the Russian game market. I always admired
the company, its corporate culture, staff, management and operational
efficiency," said Boris Nuraliev, Director of 1C Company. "The mutual potential
of 1C and BUKA opens new unique opportunities and will help us to achieve
success on this challenging and rapidly growing market. It will be an honor for
us to develop such a well-known and popular brand."
"We have received offers from several potential buyers, however 1C's advantages
were obvious. 1C is our long-term partner. We have experienced firsthand what
1C's basic principles are - to be honest to partners, customers and employees,"
comments Igor Ustinov, Chairman of Board of Directors of BUKA. "We highly
estimate our staff and the brand that we were developing through all these
years. Therefore one of the main aims for shareholders was to leave the company
in good hands."