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EADS North
America acquires PlantCML, a leading provider of emergency response solutions and
services in the U.S. and Canada
Arlington, Virginia, April
22, 2008 – EADS today announced the acquisition of
California-based PlantCML, a leading provider of emergency response solutions,
from Golden Gate Capital, a San Francisco-based private equity fund, for
approximately $350 million. Based on the underlying profitability of PlantCML, the
acquisition is earnings per share (EPS) accretive (on a pre fair value
amortization basis) in the first year. Leveraging the synergies between the
companies is expected to create additional value in the future. The acquisition
was made through EADS’ U.S. operating subsidiary, EADS North America, and will
become part of the North America business portfolio.
PlantCML provides call management
and radio dispatch products for emergency call centers, along with emergency
notification services, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) applications and mapping
services. PlantCML has the largest installed base of public safety answering
points in the U.S.
Through its widespread market
access, PlantCML will serve as a strong contributor in advancing EADS’
professional mobile radio (PMR) solutions into the rapidly expanding U.S. market.
PlantCML will now have access to EADS’ worldwide operations, thereby increasing
PlantCML’s global market opportunities while capitalizing on its current U.S. and
Canadian growth, high margins and strong cash generation.
“Bringing PlantCML into our
business portfolio further enhances EADS North America’s capabilities in ensuring
the homeland security of the United States,” said Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., Chairman
and CEO of EADS North America. “The resources of PlantCML are a perfect match with
our growing homeland security and public safety activity, which already includes
turnkey professional mobile radio systems and network security training.”
“With this acquisition, our group
solidifies its position in security systems and solutions, while fulfilling our
commitment to invest in our capabilities, and grow in the U.S. By so doing, we
demonstrate both our intent and success in following the roadmap we have laid out
for EADS in 2008 and beyond,” explained EADS CEO Louis Gallois.
“Integrating with EADS will bring added resources, capabilities and
technologies to PlantCML, and more importantly, to our customers,” said PlantCML
CEO Tim Fuller. “We remain focused on meeting our customers’ needs and providing
the high value service and products they expect from PlantCML.”
Strengthened by the resources, technologies and products from EADS,
PlantCML will continue to serve a broad base of private and public customers in
its core competencies of wireless and emergency communications. Moreover, PlantCML
will benefit from the PMR market access created by EADS Defence & Communications
Systems, enabling PlantCML to sell its solutions outside of the U.S.
The acquisition further expands EADS’ industrial footprint in the
U.S. and Canada, while positioning the company as a recognized prime contractor
capable of meeting the demanding requirements of U.S. government agencies and
public safety first responders.
PlantCML will further complement EADS’ global capabilities in
delivering P25-based public safety and homeland security radio systems. EADS is
the world’s second largest systems provider for public safety and mission critical
interoperable communications solutions with more than 180 public networks in over
65 countries.
PlantCML has more than 600 employees and is headquartered in
Temecula, California, with other U.S. operations in Tennessee, Indiana and
Alabama, and a Canadian operation in Quebec. Its capabilities include radio
dispatch, computer telephony integrated workstations, computer aided dispatch,
records management, mobile data, digital logging recording, Voice over Internet
Protocol, and next-generation 911 (NG911) emergency messaging solutions.
About EADS North America (www.eadsnorthamerica.com)
EADS North America is the North American operations of EADS, the second largest
aerospace and defense company in the world. As a leader in all sectors of defense
and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute
over $10 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 190,000
American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. Operating in 32
cities and 17 states, EADS North America offers a broad array of advanced
solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and
defense markets.
The company’s state-of-the-art solutions for public safety and
homeland security requirements include the CORP25 turnkey P25 radio system for
local, countywide, statewide and federal radio networks; and the CyberSecurity
Network Training Simulator (CYNTRS™) – a customized network security tool that
trains operators to recognize and defend the most malicious cyber attacks.
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