Marlink to Acquire Livewire
Marlink, backed by Apax-partners has signed a definite agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Livewire Connections, a UK headquartered satellite communications service provider with focus on superyacht customers. The move follows the recent announcement that Marlink intends to acquire a majority stake in the Spanish superyacht service provider OmniAccess.
Following completion of the share purchase, Livewire Connections will become part of the Marlink Group, joining the worldwide leader in maritime communications and maritime VSAT services, generating close to EUR 425 million revenues, employing 1,000 experts globally and serving an installed base of around 5,000 VSAT vessels under contract.
With its HQ in Chessington, Surrey and office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Livewire Connections is an established satellite airtime provider and solutions integrator to the Marine market since 2004. In addition to supplying an array of satellite and terrestrial communications services and hardware, Livewire Connections focuses on providing custom IT and networking installations to meet the wide range of requirements found in the superyacht sector. With customers operating globally, Livewire Connections supports them on many adventures including trips as far afield as Antarctica and South Georgia through to the North-West Passage.
“Livewire Connections has consistently demonstrated to be at the forefront of satcom service provision for superyacht customers in Europe and the US, so we are delighted to have them on board as part of the Marlink Group,” says Erik Ceuppens, CEO of the Marlink Group. “Just like OmniAccess, Livewire Connections is focused on leveraging cutting-edge technology, innovation and service excellence to deliver premium customer satisfaction. Together they will make a great fit and undoubtedly the most capable company to provide the best-in-class services for the sophisticated superyacht customers.”
“Joining forces with Marlink enables us to deliver even more value to our customers,” says David Walker at Livewire Connections. “We are looking forward to expanding our local, customer-centred approach with world-leading infrastructure, technology and engineering solutions from Marlink and OmniAccess. Together we will deliver more innovation for customers in the luxury vessel segment meeting the unique needs for bandwidth, flexibility and functionality with leading customised solutions.”
Closing of the transaction is expected to happen in next coming weeks.