CheckFree Corporation acquired all of the assets of Aphelion, Inc., a health club management software and services provider, for $18 million. The two companies both had their starts in the health club sector, as CheckFree built its electronic commerce business with the automation of monthly health club dues in 1981.
The acquisition of Aphelion adds to the number of clubs that CheckFree serves, expanding the company’s presence in the mid-size and independent club markets, and brings CheckFree prospective electronic funds transfer customers. Aphelion also broadens CheckFree’s health and fitness presence internationally to clients in Europe, Canada and Asia-Pacific with club management solutions in multiple local languages, and 24-hour customer support.
“The addition of Aphelion brings CheckFree a strong, complementary customer base with opportunities for continued growth and innovation in processing and management solutions for health clubs of all sizes,” said said Matt Lewis, executive vice president and general manager of CheckFree’s Electronic Commerce division.
CheckFree’s earnings expectations for the quarter ending December 31, 2005 and the fiscal year 2006 ending June 30, 2006 remain unchanged, but the company expects the acquisition of Aphelion to contribute about $1 million in revenue for the second quarter of the fiscal year, bringing the forecast for that quarter from $211 to $216 million.