ACCO Brands (ACCO) buys Trust in $57M move to grow tech peripherals
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
ACCO Brands Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire GXT Holding B.V. and its subsidiaries, known as Trust, a pan‑European provider of computer and gaming accessories, in a transaction valued at approximately $57 million. Trust generates approximately $100 million in annual revenue and operates an asset‑light model with outsourced manufacturing, serving customers across Europe and Latin America through retail, e‑commerce and B2B channels.
The acquisition supports ACCO Brands’ strategic pivot toward higher‑growth technology peripherals; on a pro forma basis, this category is expected to generate about $500 million in annual sales. The company expects the deal to be modestly accretive to adjusted EPS in the first 12 months and to deliver estimated cost synergies of $5–$8 million within 18 months after closing. The purchase will be financed using borrowings under ACCO Brands’ revolving credit facility, with limited impact to pro forma leverage, and is expected to close in late third quarter or early fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including applicable competition authority approvals.
Positive
- $57 million acquisition of Trust expands ACCO Brands into computer and gaming peripherals across Europe and Latin America, aligning with its strategy to grow higher‑growth technology categories.
- Trust contributes approximately $100 million in annual revenue and will help ACCO’s technology peripherals portfolio reach about $500 million in pro forma annual sales.
- Management expects the acquisition to be modestly accretive to adjusted EPS in the first 12 months following closing.
- The company targets $5–$8 million in cost synergies within 18 months after closing, supporting profitability improvements.
- The transaction will be financed via the revolving credit facility with limited impact on pro forma leverage, suggesting no major balance‑sheet strain.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Analyzing...
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
definitive agreement regulatory
adjusted EPS financial
cost synergies financial
revolving credit facility financial
competition authority approvals regulatory
FAQ
What acquisition did ACCO (ACCO) announce on August 14, 2026?
How much revenue does Trust contribute to ACCO (ACCO)?
How will the Trust acquisition affect ACCO (ACCO) technology peripherals sales?
Is the Trust acquisition expected to boost ACCO (ACCO) earnings?
What cost synergies does ACCO (ACCO) expect from acquiring Trust?
How will ACCO (ACCO) finance the Trust acquisition and when will it close?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): |
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(State or Other Jurisdiction |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
|
(Zip Code) |
||
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: |
|
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
|
|
Trading |
|
|
|
|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Section 7 - Regulation FD
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure
On August 14, 2026, ACCO Brands Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire GXT Holding B.V., together with its subsidiaries, also known as Trust, a pan-European provider of computer and gaming accessories. The transaction is valued at approximately $57 million. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
The information included or incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K under this Item 7.01 is being furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
99.1 Press Release of the Company announcing the execution of a definitive agreement to acquire GXT Holding B.V., dated August 14, 2026
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
ACCO Brands Corporation |
|
|
|
|
Date: |
August 14, 2026 |
By: |
/s/ Kathryn D. Ingraham |
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
News Release
|
ACCO BRANDS TO ACQUIRE TRUST
LAKE ZURICH, ILLINOIS, Friday, August 14, 2026 - ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO), a global leader in branded office and learning products and technology accessories, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Trust, a European provider of computer and gaming accessories, from Egeria, a pan-European investment firm.
Founded in 1983 and headquartered in the Netherlands, Trust is a well-recognized consumer electronics brand with more than 40 years of presence in PC accessories, gaming, smart home and mobile accessories. The company offers a comprehensive product portfolio spanning keyboards, mice, headsets, speakers, webcams, chargers, and gaming peripherals, sold through a broad network of leading retailers, e-commerce platforms, and B2B channels. Trust operates an asset-light model with outsourced manufacturing and scalable sourcing and serves customers in Europe and Latin America.
“Building on the strategic pivot to an enhanced focus on faster-growing categories and the recent acquisition of EPOS, Trust adds a well-established brand and an impressive peripherals lineup that complements Kensington, PowerA and EPOS, deepening our presence in some of the largest and fastest-growing categories in technology peripherals,” said Tom Tedford, ACCO Brands President and CEO. “This acquisition continues the shift of our product and brand portfolio toward higher-growth technology peripherals, which will now approach $500 million in annual sales on a pro forma basis. We expect to deliver cost synergies as we integrate Trust into our European platform.”
1
“Joining ACCO Brands is an exciting next chapter for Trust,” said Jeroen Hoogland, CEO of Trust. “ACCO Brands’ global scale, supply chain, and channel relationships will help us accelerate innovation and reach even more consumers and business customers across Europe and beyond.”
Trust generates approximately $100 million in annual revenue and is expected to be modestly accretive to adjusted EPS in the first 12 months. ACCO Brands expects to realize cost synergies of approximately $5 to $8 million, within 18 months after closing.
The transaction will be financed through borrowings under ACCO Brands’ revolving credit facility, with limited impact to pro forma leverage. The transaction is expected to close in late third quarter or early fourth quarter, subject to customary closing conditions, including applicable competition authority approvals.
About ACCO Brands Corporation
ACCO Brands is the leader in branded consumer products that enable productivity, confidence and enjoyment while working, when learning and while playing. Our widely recognized brands include AT-A-GLANCE®, Five Star®, Kensington®, Leitz®, Mead®, PowerA®, Swingline®, Tilibra® and many others. More information about ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) can be found at www.accobrands.com.
About Egeria
Established in 1997, Egeria is an independent pan-European investment company. Its private equity practice is focused on healthy mid-sized companies primarily in the Benelux and DACH regions. Guided by its core philosophy, “Boldly Building Together,” Egeria believes in building businesses through close collaboration, entrepreneurial spirit, and shared ownership with management teams. Egeria’s private equity portfolio comprises investments in more than 20 companies with combined revenues of around €3.0 billion and over 14,000 employees. For more information, please visit egeriagroup.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained herein, other than statements of historical fact, particularly those anticipating future financial performance, business prospects, growth, strategies, business operations and similar matters, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, and those relating to synergies, cost reductions, anticipated pre-tax savings, restructuring costs and the satisfaction of closing conditions for the subject transaction are “forward-looking
2
statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management based on information available to us at the time such statements are made. These statements, which are generally identifiable by the use of the words “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “future,” “project,” “plan,” and similar expressions, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no duty or obligation to update them. Forward-looking statements are subject to the occurrence of events outside the Company’s control and actual results, and the timing of events may differ materially from those suggested or implied by such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Investors and others are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements when deciding whether to buy, sell or hold the Company’s securities.
Our outlook is based on certain assumptions which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. These include, without limitation, assumptions regarding consumer demand, tariffs, global geopolitical and economic uncertainties, and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and the other factors described below.
Among the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements are: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of ACCO Brands or Egeria to terminate the transaction, the possibility that the transaction is not completed or, if completed, that the anticipated benefits of the transaction are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, obtaining regulatory approvals, the integration of Trust, operating costs and business disruption following the transaction, the integration of Trust products and our ability to realize synergies in the integration, as well as changes in trade policy and regulations, including changes in trade agreements and the imposition of tariffs, and the resulting consequences; global political and economic uncertainties; a limited number of large customers account for a significant percentage of our sales; sales of our products are affected by general economic and business conditions globally and in the countries in which we operate; risks associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; challenges related to the highly competitive business environment in which we operate; our ability to develop and market innovative products that meet consumer demands and to expand into new and adjacent product categories; our ability to successfully expand our business in emerging markets and the exposure to greater financial, operational, regulatory, compliance and other risks in such markets; the continued decline in the use of certain of our products; risks associated with seasonality, the sufficiency of investment returns on pension assets, risks related to actuarial assumptions, changes in government regulations and changes in the unfunded liabilities of a multi-employer pension plan; any impairment of our intangible assets; our ability to secure, protect and maintain our intellectual
3
property rights, and our ability to license rights from major gaming console makers and video game publishers to support our gaming accessories business; our ability to grow profitably through acquisitions, and successfully integrate them; our ability to successfully execute our multi-year restructuring and cost savings program and realize the anticipated benefits; continued disruptions in the global supply chain; risks associated with inflation and other changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, transportation, labor, and other necessary supplies and services and the cost of finished goods; risks associated with outsourcing production of certain of our products, information technology systems and other administrative functions; the failure, inadequacy or interruption of our information technology systems or their supporting infrastructure; risks associated with a cybersecurity incident or information security breach, including that related to a disclosure of personally identifiable information; risks associated with our indebtedness, including limitations imposed by restrictive covenants, our debt service obligations, and our ability to comply with financial ratios and tests; a change in or discontinuance of our stock repurchase program or the payment of dividends; product liability claims, recalls or regulatory actions; the impact of litigation or other legal proceedings; the impact of additional tax liabilities stemming from our global operations and changes in tax laws, regulations and tax rates; our failure to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations and self-regulatory requirements, the costs of compliance and the impact of changes in such laws; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the volatility of our stock price; risks associated with circumstances outside our control, including those caused by telecommunication failures, labor strikes, power and/or water shortages, public health crises, such as the occurrence of contagious diseases, severe weather events, war, terrorism and other geopolitical incidents; and other risks and uncertainties described in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For further information:
Christopher McGinnis |
Kori Reed |
Investor Relations |
Media Relations |
(847) 796-4320 |
(224) 501-0406 |
4