Amazon has decided to abandon its proposed acquisition of iRobot, the renowned smart-vacuum manufacturer, citing regulatory challenges. The announcement, made on January 29, follows concerns raised by the European Union, which signaled its intent to block the deal over competition issues.
Both Amazon and iRobot expressed disappointment in a joint statement, characterizing the decision as mutual. The European Commission had previously conveyed its preliminary view that the acquisition might negatively impact industry competition. While British antitrust regulators cleared the purchase in June, scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission in the U.S. continued.
As a part of the termination agreement, Amazon will pay iRobot a substantial $94 million termination fee. This unexpected development dealt a blow to iRobot, leading to a 15% stock drop at $14.36 per share.
In response to the terminated acquisition, iRobot disclosed a restructuring plan involving a significant reduction in its workforce, with approximately 31% of employees facing layoffs. Colin Angle, iRobot’s Chairman and CEO, is set to step down, with Glen Weinstein, the company’s executive vice president and chief legal officer, serving as interim CEO.
The decision to abandon the deal underscores the increasing challenges U.S. companies face in navigating regulatory landscapes, especially in Europe. Consumer rights groups had raised concerns about the potential dominance of Amazon in the smart home market through the iRobot acquisition. This move by Amazon follows a broader trend of European regulators closely scrutinizing high-profile deals involving U.S. companies.
