Leading technology holding company, Alaris Holdings, has acquired US-based custom and commercial microwave antenna provider, mWave Industries. Alaris confirmed that it applied for and received unconditional CFIUS (Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States) approvals from the US Government to go ahead with the acquisition. The final closing requirements were concluded in September and the acquisition takes effect from October.
The Alaris Holdings Group consists of Alaris Antennas (South Africa) and COJOT (Finland). The Alaris strategy is built on three pillars, namely radio frequency technology, owning intellectual property and having a global presence. One of the main objectives for Alaris is to expand its footprint globally. The US market is the largest defence market in the world representing approximately 60% of the global market. The US administration has for the first time in a few years, voted for and approved an increased defense budget to the amount of about $716 billion for 2019.
Alaris Antennas designs, develops, manufactures and sells specialized broadband antennas as well as other related radio frequency products. Its products are used in the communication, frequency spectrum monitoring, test and measurement, electronic warfare and other specialized markets. Clients are located across the globe, mostly outside of South Africa (the Americas, Europe and Asia). Its clients are system integrators, frequency spectrum regulators and players in the homeland security space.
Alaris has grown its annual turnover and profits consistently since its establishment in 2005. The competitive advantage for Alaris Antennas is its ability to develop and hold its own IP as a result of its client centric model. Approximately 90% of the company’s revenue is derived from exports, which provides a strong justification to increase the Group’s footprint globally.
mWave Industries is based in Windham, Maine in the United States and is a leading global provider of innovative custom and commercial microwave antenna solutions with special focus on 60, 70, 80, 94 & 110 GHz Millimeter Wave Reflector Antenna. Their microwave antenna brands include the industry leading Mark Grid, Gabriel, mWave and Quickfire lines of terrestrial microwave antenna which are recognized worldwide for their robust designs and reliability. The company was established in 2004 and designs and manufactures standard and custom microwave antenna products for commercial and government applications spanning the scientific, defence, and academic communities.
mWave specializes in parabolic grids, solid parabolic and directional panel antenna as well as feeds including conscan and monopulse designs. mWave’s additional product offerings consist of micro-strip arrays, panels, horns, helices, sectors, omnidirectional antennas and waveguide arrays. The company maintains a fully equipped antenna test range that is used to verify new antenna designs and for production verification and third-party testing for its customers.
According to Group CEO of Alaris Holdings, Juergen Dresel, and major shareholder of mWave, Peter V. Anania who will be nominated to serve on Alaris Holdings’ Board, negotiations were focused on creating an environment which will have strategic benefit to both organizations. The product lines complement one another and by joining forces, the companies will be able to provide an expanded product portfolio and improved service to customers.
Companies within the Group are strongly focused on research and development and hold exploitable patented technologies that can be monetized into the future. mWave’s extensive experience in design and strong specialization focus will add value to the Group’s competitive features and will enable an increased performance and product offering to the customers. With the background of the three companies in the Group, it is expected that the fostering of design innovation and continued pursuit of novel technologies will be enhanced through the sharing of ideas and talent in these organizations.
