Intel to acquire Wind River for $884 million

Intel is reportedly paying $884 million for embedded systems firm Wind River to accelerate its efforts in breaking past its core PC markets. The semiconductor behemoth is said to be bidding for the firm’s common stock at $11.50 per share. Although the deal has been okayed by Wind River’s board, the bid has met a standstill until approval is seen from shareholders and regulators.

Becoming a subsidiary of Intel, the firm will continue to sell embedded software as such. The purchase is apparently fueled by Intel’s plan to expand its market from PC and server domains to embedded devices, car and infotainment systems, mobile Internet devices and other gadgets. The chip maker foresees the acquisition bringing “complementary, market-leading software assets.”

Wind River is based in Alameda, California – a mere hour drive north of Intel’s headquarters. Having been founded in 1981, the company employs 1,600 people and turned over $359.7 million last year. It is the self-proclaimed world leader in “device software optimization.”