Exhibit (a)(8)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
GN Netcom, Inc.: GN Netcom, Inc.:
Dean Kacos Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek (general info)
Chief Financial Officer Director, Marketing Communications
(603) 594-4763 (603) 579-5525
GN Netcom Announces Early Termination of Hart-Scott-Rodino Waiting Period
Nashua, N.H. -- October 26, 2000 -- GN Netcom, a wholly owned subsidiary of GN
Great Nordic Ltd., announced today that the request for early termination of
the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976 applicable to GN Netcom's offer to purchase all outstanding shares of
common stock of Hello Direct, Inc. (Nasdaq: HELO) was granted on October 24,
2000.
As previously announced, GN Netcom and Hello Direct are parties to a merger
agreement, and having been granted early termination of the waiting period
under Hart-Scott-Radino, intend to move ahead with the transaction as planned.
Under the agreement, a wholly owned subsidiary of GN Netcom commenced a tender
offer on October 11, 2000, to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Hello
Direct at $16.40(USD) per share, net to the seller in cash (excluding any
taxes). The tender offer is currently scheduled to expire at 12:00 midnight
(EDT) on November 7, 2000, but may be extended by GN Great Nordic under certain
circumstances.
About GN Netcom GN Netcom is a world leader in hands-free communications
technologies. Specializing in the design and manufacture of high-quality
communications headsets, microphone arrays and related products, the fast-
growing Company offers a state-of-the-art product line for both traditional
corded and wireless solutions. By working in close partnership with customers,
GN Netcom has become a leading provider of hands- free solutions to the call
center, general office, mobile and PC applications markets in North America,
Europe, and Asia-Pacific. GN Netcom has production facilities in the United
States and Europe, and cooperates with distributors in more than 60 countries
around the world. In August 2000, GN Netcom acquired San Diego-based JABRA
Corporation, the leading and fastest-growing supplier of advanced hands-free
headset/earset products for cellular, desktop and computer applications in the
United States.
GN Netcom is part of GN Great Nordic, a Danish based group of companies in the
technology sector. The GN Great Nordic Group is traded on the Copenhagen Stock
Exchange (Reuters: GNTC.CO; Bloomberg: TELN DC) and the London Stock Exchange.
About Hello Direct
Hello Direct, Inc. (Nasdaq: HELO) is a leading developer and business to
business direct marketer of desktop telephony and equipment interface
solutions, including headsets, teleconferencing, wireless, and related desktop
products. Through a combination of distinctive catalogs, outbound
telemarketing, and Internet sales channels, the company offers a broad
selection of commercial grade solutions to its customers' evolving
communications needs. For more information on Hello Direct, Inc., please visit
www.hellodirect.com, the leading online source of telecommunications
information, products, and services.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed
in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those projected. Neither GN Netcom nor Hello Direct assumes any obligation
to update information contained in this press release.
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