Belden Expands IT/OT Capabilities with $1.85 Billion Acquisition of RUCKUS Networks

Belden Inc. (BDC) announced on Thursday its agreement to acquire RUCKUS Networks, a specialist in intelligent networking solutions, for approximately $1.85 billion. The acquisition is designed to position Belden as a primary provider of integrated IT/OT (Information Technology/Operational Technology) networking solutions, bridging the gap between industrial and enterprise connectivity. RUCKUS Networks brings a global footprint of over 48,000 customers and a diverse product suite including enterprise switching, Wi-Fi, and an AI-driven cloud networking platform. This integration allows Belden to offer more comprehensive connectivity and performance optimization for organizations seeking to securely connect users and devices. To fund the transaction, Belden has secured fully committed debt financing through J.P. Morgan. The company expects a combined Adjusted EBITDA of roughly $650 million. While the acquisition will increase leverage, Belden forecasts net leverage to drop below 3x within the first full year post-closing, with a long-term target of 1.5x by 2029. In response to the announcement, Belden shares rose 3.09% to $131.54 in pre-market trading on the New York Stock Exchange. To manage its capital structure during the integration phase, the company stated it will temporarily suspend share repurchases until leverage targets are approached.