Afterpay rides in Touchcorp slipstream
The takeover by loss-making point of sale financier Afterpay of the profitable payments terminal business of Touchcorp is centred on the business model and sales force of the former, the scheme document for the merger makes clear.It may also allow Afterpay to spread its wings into Europe, where Touchcorp's point of sales systems have traction with some retail partners in Austria and Spain."Touchcorp's presence in some markets and customer relationships will advantage the Afterpay product as it further penetrates new verticals andgeographies," the boards of the two companies said. Afterpay Touch Group will be the name of the combined entity, one still listed on the ASX. Afterpay's current crew will run the ship, with Anthony Eisen as executive chairman and Nick Molnar as managing director.One the merger is finalised, Afterpay Touch Group will be owned approximately 64 per cent by Afterpay shareholders and approximately 36 per cent by Touchcorp.