Dell in talks to buy EMC

Dell, the world’s third- largest personal computer maker, is in talks to buy data storage company EMC in what could be one of the biggest technology deals ever.

A deal could be an option for EMC, under pressure from activist investor Elliott Management Corp to spin off majority-owned VMware.

The terms being discussed were not known, but if the deal goes through, it would top Avago Technologies’ $37bn (€32.79bn) offer for Broadcom.

EMC has a market value of about €44.31bn.

Both Dell and EMC have major operations in Ireland and employ more than 5,000 people between them.

Despite cutting 1,900 jobs at its Limerick plant in 2009, Dell remains a major employer here.

Some 2,300 staff are on the books of the computer giant at its campuses in Dublin, Cork and Limerick.

In April, the company announced 100 engineering roles were to be created as part of its innovation technology team in Limerick.

Since establishing a presence in Cork in 1988 — the company’s first manufacturing facility outside of North America — EMC has become one of the biggest multinationals in the region with 3,000 staff employed at its centre of excellence in Ovens.

Dell is also in talks with banks to finance an all-cash offer for EMC, the person told Reuters on condition of anonymity as the talks were confidential.

Dell spokesman David Flink and EMC spokesman Dave Farmer declined to comment.