Creates big player in test and measurement
Anritsu, the largest Japanese provider of communication solutions, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with Axcel and the management of NetTest to acquire NetTest. Anritsu will acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of NetTest.
NetTest, headquartered in Copenhagen with 480 employees worldwide, had revenues in 2004 of approximately US$ 94 million and has enjoyed a 28% global market share for its wireless network monitoring solutions. The company has been owned by Danish private equity house Axcel since January 2003. Axcel’s focus has been to reposition the company to focus on OSS and then look for a trade buyer when the time was right. Anritsu, with 3,600 employees and revenues of $790 million considerably outpunches NetTest, but adds the Danish company’s strong European presence and focus on network optimisation.
Anritsu’s president, Hiromichi Toda, saidd, “the acquisition of NetTest will accelerate Anritsu’s vision to be a global market leader in test and measurement. Together we will work closely with customers to create innovative solutions that increase customer value and create new demand.” Mr. Toda also emphasized that “the addition of NetTest will expand Anritsu’s business domain into the high growth markets for network performance monitoring and service assurance.”
In a letter to customers and business partners NetTest ceo and president Allan Vertrgaard said, “We believe there is an excellent match between Anritsu and NetTest and significatn added calue to the benefit of our custoemrs. Going forward the combined company will be aoffering a much broader technology base and solutions portfolio coverint the entire network and service life cycle.”