Zebra acquires Navis
NAVIS Holdings, the privately held marine container terminal automation specialist, is being taken over by Nasdaq-listed bar code printer and RFID products maker Zebra Technologies Corporation in an agreed all-cash deal worth $145m. Zebra’s move into marine terminal sector is tied in with a foray into aviation as well, through the purchase of Crailsheim, Germany-based airport cargo tracking firm proveo AG for $16.3m in cash. Navis, headquartered in Oakland, California, was founded in 1988 as a provider of automated container terminal operating systems. The firm has more than 450 end-users in 50 countries, a statement said. Zebra’s Navis acquisition is expected to close in the final quarter of 2007, pending US antitrust approval. Navis is expected to generate $60m in revenues this year, Zebra said. John Dillon, Navis chief executive, said the absorption into Zebra would ensure that his firm’s customers continue to receive the “highest levels of innovation and service”. The transaction would allow Navis to continue its extensive maritime focus, Mr Dillon insisted.