Some 2,000 IBMers in the Triangle may very well be working for Lenovo in the near future now that a key regulatory hurdle has been cleared.

Lenovo and IBM (NYSE: IBM) issued statements late Friday afternoon confirming that the U.S. government has approved the company’s $2.3 billion acquisition of IBM’s x86 server business.

The statement from Lenovo follows:

“Lenovo can confirm reports that CFIUS has cleared its transaction to acquire IBM’s x86 server business and the companies have completed the regulatory process in the United States.

“As we have stated consistently for both the x86 and Motorola Mobility acquisitions, we continue to work through a number of regulatory and business processes to ensure an effective and timely closure on both deals.

“We remain on track to close both deals by the end of the year. Out of respect for the confidentiality of the process, we will not have any further comment until we have met all conditions for closure.”

CFIUS refers to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, an inter-agency group that reviews deals thought to have security implications.

The Motorola Mobility acquisition of some $2.9 billion remains under review. 

“Look forward to closing”

In its statement, IBM said:

“IBM today is pleased to announce it has received notice from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) of the successful conclusion of the committee’s review of the divestiture of its x86-based server business to Lenovo. The clearance by CFIUS of this transaction is good news for both IBM and Lenovo, and for our customers and employees. The parties now look forward to closing the transaction.

“The approval of the $2.3 billion sale to Lenovo enables IBM to focus on system and software innovations that bring new kinds of value to IBM clients in areas such as cognitive computing, Big Data and cloud, and provides clarity and confidence to current x86 customers that they will have a strong partner going forward.”

Reports of trouble

In June, media reports said the deal might be in trouble with the U.S. and Chinese governments involved in heated rhetoric about security concerns and hacking.

Lenovo’s acquisition of IBM’s RTP-based PC business in 2005 also had to pass CFIUS review.

Lenovo, which is now the world;s no. 1 PC manufacturer, operates its global executive headquarters in Morrisville.

The company said it would have no further comment at this time about the x86 regulatory review.

The IBM-Lenovo approval is a big step toward making some 2,000 IBM workers in Research Triangle Park part of Lenovo.

The x86 server business is largely based in RTP. A ministry in the Chinese government approved the deal on July 7. 

The deal has raised security concerns in the U.S. However, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce has granted approval to the companies to proceed, according to media reports.

An anti-monopoly bureau approved the deal. 

IBM employs several thousand workers and manufactures x86 servers in China.