Blackstone has agreed to acquire Tokyo-listed Infocom, a leading digital comic book provider, in a deal valued at approximately 260 billion yen ($1.66 billion), according to sources. Teijin, which owns 55% of Infocom, has granted Blackstone preferential negotiating rights for its shares. The U.S. asset manager plans to acquire Teijin’s entire stake through a tender offer, resulting in Infocom being taken private.
Infocom, formed in 2001 through a merger of subsidiaries from Teijin and Sojitz, has seen significant growth, particularly through its Mecha Comic platform launched in 2006. This platform is one of Japan’s foremost providers of digital comics. In fiscal 2023, Infocom reported an 85% increase in net profit to 6.6 billion yen and a 20% rise in revenue to 84.4 billion yen, with digital comics accounting for around 70% of its revenue.
In addition to its digital comics, Infocom offers various services for the health care sector, including an employment management system for nurses.
Teijin had originally positioned Infocom as a key part of its information and communications technology operations. However, as Infocom’s digital comics business expanded, synergies with Teijin’s core operations diminished.
The decision to sell comes as Teijin reassesses its portfolio following a challenging fiscal 2022, which saw a net loss of 17.6 billion yen due to a downturn in its auto parts business and the expiration of key pharmaceutical patents. Although Teijin returned to profitability in fiscal 2023, the margin was narrow.
The sale of Infocom is expected to provide Teijin with over 100 billion yen in fresh capital. Teijin plans to redirect resources towards its core products, such as aramid fiber, which is used in tires and fiber-optic cables and in which Teijin holds a leading global market share.
This acquisition marks another significant move by Blackstone in expanding its portfolio of digital and technology assets, underscoring the growing value and influence of digital content in the global market. The deal is set to provide Infocom with the opportunity to further its growth and innovation under Blackstone’s ownership.
