SpeedCast Ltd
Completes Buyout of Elektrikom Satellite
Services
17 January, 2013
SpeedCast Ltd, has completed, with the
support of its majority shareholder, TA
Associates, a buyout of Elektrikom Satellite
Services, a leading maritime satellite
communications service provider based in the
Netherlands. The combination of Elektrikom
and SpeedCast’s maritime business unit will
form one of the top maritime satellite
communications service providers in the
world.
Elektrikom provides satellite and
wireless-based communications solutions to
the maritime industry. The Company focuses
on the high-end segments of the maritime
market, including the oil & gas and offshore
supply segments. Founded in 1985, Elektrikom
is headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands,
where it enjoys a strong position in this
key maritime shipping hub, and also serves
customers and partners throughout Europe.
Elektrikom has established itself as one of
the leading maritime satellite service
providers in Europe, with a marquee list of
customers ranging from major shipping
companies to offshore supply companies.
Elektrikom is well known for its expertise
and ability to deliver custom-engineered
communication solutions for its customers,
including various types of satellite
communications, such as Ku-band & C-band
VSAT services and L-band services, as well
as wireless technologies and a range of IT
services.
“SpeedCast is well established as the
leading provider of maritime communication
solutions in Asia. While our services are
global, we wanted to strengthen our presence
in Europe to further support our partners in
this key region. With its strong position in
the most important European shipping hub,
Elektrikom is an ideal fit,” said
Pierre-Jean Beylier, CEO, SpeedCast. “With
the acquisition of Elektrikom, we are well
positioned to deliver a higher level of
service and support to SpeedCast and
Elektrikom customers’ vessels in Europe and
worldwide.”
Joining the SpeedCast Group, Elektrikom will
be able to offer its maritime customers a
wider portfolio of products and services,
including land-based services, and to better
serve its global customers’ needs in Asia.
Elektrikom will also benefit from
SpeedCast’s broad range of engineering
capabilities worldwide, with certified field
engineers able to support maritime services
and antennas onboard vessels and platforms.
These extensive support resources are
strategically located in Hong Kong,
Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, China,
Dubai, and Australia, in addition to
Elektrikom’s own presence in the
Netherlands.
SpeedCast will leverage Elektrikom’s
strength in Europe, with its strategic
Rotterdam base, to further penetrate the
important European market, as well as
deliver continuity of experience for
Elektrikom’s existing customers.
Elektrikom’s worldwide satellite
communications infrastructure will
complement SpeedCast’s existing global
network, adding an overlay network which
will provide redundancy and backup, as well
as introducing new options for SpeedCast’s
global customer base.
“The acquisition of Elektrikom by SpeedCast
is a very positive development for our
customers, our partners and our employees,”
said André Eerland, Managing Director,
Elektrikom. “There are significant synergies
between the two companies, with two leading
technology platforms, iDirect and Comtech EF
Data, and worldwide coverage, which will
greatly enhance our ability to deliver
customized solutions to meet our customers’
needs.” Mr. Eerland will remain with the
merged entity and will serve as Head of
Maritime globally. This acquisition follows
shortly after SpeedCast's acquisition of
Australian Satellite Communications ("ASC"),
a leading satellite communications service
provider in Australia. ASC is very active in
serving customers in the natural resource
market, in particular the oil & gas
industry, which complements Elektrikom’s
position serving the oil & gas and offshore
industries in Europe.
