Blue Yonder Group, Inc. (formerly JDA Software Group) is an American supply chain management company operating as an independent subsidiary of Panasonic. Founded in 1985, the company is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, with offices globally. Its acquisitions have included Yantriks, RedPrairie, i2 Technologies, Manugistics, E3, Intactix, and Arthur.[2]

Blue Yonder Group, Inc.
FormerlyJDA Software
Company typeSubsidiary
Nasdaq: JDAS
IndustrySupply chain management, manufacturing, retail, commerce, logistics, consumer goods
Founded1985; 39 years ago (1985) (as JDA)
Founders
  • James Donald Armstrong
  • Frederick M. Pakis
HeadquartersScottsdale, Arizona
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Duncan Angove (CEO)

Nathalie Carruthers (CHRO)
Mark Henry (CFO)

Wayne Usie (CSO)
ProductsSoftware
RevenueIncrease $1.1 Billion (2021) [1]
Number of employees
6,000 (April 2023)
ParentPanasonic
Websiteblueyonder.com

History

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In 1985, James Donald Armstrong and Frederick M. Pakis formed the US-based JDA Software, Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio. After signing a contract with a Phoenix-based automotive retailer in 1987, all eight JDA employees relocated to headquarters in Arizona. After 10 years of operation as a privately held firm, JDA went public on March 15, 1996.

In 2006, JDA acquired Manugistics Group Inc., a Rockville, MD developer and provider of supply chain management software, for over $200 million.[3][4]

On November 5, 2009, JDA announced its intent to acquire i2 Technologies, a Dallas-based provider of supply chain management software.[5] The acquisition was completed in January 2010. In June 2010, Dillard's Department Stores won a $246 million judgment against i2, claiming damages from use of two supply chain management systems. JDA announced efforts to reduce or reverse this judgment, noting Dillard's still used the software and had done so since 2000.[6] The case was settled in 2011.[7]

On November 1, 2012 it was reported that RedPraire would purchase JDA for $1.9 billion. The merged companies moved forward under the JDA Software name.[8]

On August 8, 2016, JDA was reported to be exploring its sale to Honeywell International Inc.[9] The sale was challenged on August 16, 2016 by The Blackstone Group, giving an alternative to JDA by offering a financing plan.[10]

On January 30, 2017, Girish Rishi succeeded Bal Dail as CEO.[11]

On July 2, 2018, JDA announced an agreement to acquire Blue Yonder GmbH.[12] The acquisition was completed on August 7, 2018.[13]

On February 11, 2020, JDA announced that it was renaming itself to Blue Yonder, Inc.[14] On July 23, Blue Yonder announced the acquisition of Yantriks.[15]

On April 21, 2021, Panasonic announced that it had agreed to acquire Blue Yonder.[16] The acquisition was closed on September 17, 2021.[17][18] The company operates under the umbrella of the Panasonic Connect group.[19]

In February 2022, CEO Rishi stepped down.[20] In July 2022, Duncan Angove was announced as the new CEO.[21]

In March 2024, it was announced Blue Yonder had acquired the Dallas-headquartered digital supply chain network company, One Network Enterprises for $839 million.[22]

References

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  1. ^ "Blue Yonder Announces Fourth Quarter 2021 Results, Marking Record-Breaking Year". 2 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Panasonic and Blue Yonder Extend Strategic Partnership to Accelerate the Autonomous Supply Chain". Media Center. 2020-05-20. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  3. ^ "JDA Software plans to acquire Manugistics for $211 million". Material Handling and Logistics. 25 April 2006. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  4. ^ "JDA Software Completes Manugistics Acquisition". Supply&Demand Chain Executive. 7 July 2006. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  5. ^ "JDA Software set to buy i2 Technologies – again" (Press release). Phoenix Business Journal. November 5, 2009.
  6. ^ Dignwoan, Larry. "Dillard's wins $246 million in damages vs. JDA, i2". ZDNet. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  7. ^ "In The Dillard's/JDA Software Settlement, Details Of Sleazy Vendor Practices Come Out". fierceretail.com. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  8. ^ "RedPrairie agrees to buy JDA Software for $1.9B". November 2012.
  9. ^ "Exclusive: Honeywell explores acquisition of JDA Software". Reuters. Reuters. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  10. ^ "Exclusive: Blackstone challenges Honeywell with JDA financing plan". Reuters. Reuters. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  11. ^ "JDA's Bal Dail Passes CEO Reins to Girish Rishi to Fuel Next Phase of Growth". JDA (Press release). JDA. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  12. ^ "JDA Software to Acquire Blue Yonder". JDA.com (Press release).
  13. ^ "JDA Completes Acquisition of Blue Yonder". JDA.com (Press release).
  14. ^ "JDA Software to rename itself to BlueYonder". JDA.com (Press release).
  15. ^ "Blue Yonder is pleased to announce the acquisition of Yantriks". 23 July 2020.
  16. ^ "Panasonic Accelerates the Autonomous Supply Chain with Acquisition of Blue Yonder". Media Center. 2021-04-23. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  17. ^ "Panasonic acquires Blue Yonder in $7.1 billion blockbuster deal". Chain Store Age. 2021-09-17. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  18. ^ "Panasonic Completes Acquisition of Blue Yonder". Business Wire. 2021-09-17. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  19. ^ "Group Companies - Panasonic Holdings". holdings.panasonic. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  20. ^ "Rishi, who sold Blue Yonder to Panasonic, stepping down as CEO". Freight Waves. February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  21. ^ "Blue Yonder Names Duncan Angove as CEO". Business Wire. July 11, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  22. ^ "Supply chain tech big hitter Blue Yonder thinks about the future with One Network Enterprises deal". Retail Technology Innovation Hub. 2024-04-02. Retrieved 2024-04-02.