ECI acquires Kelvin Hughes

ECI Partners LLP (ECI), the UK mid-market buyout specialist, has acquired Kelvin Hughes in a ?£52m transaction out of Smiths Group plc, the UK listed technology company. Kelvin Hughes is a leading supplier of navigation products and services for the Naval and Commercial marine sectors.

Kelvin Hughes has a product range designed to provide mariners with the most advanced navigation systems and services available. Its products include radar sensors and display technology, voyage data recorders, electronic chart systems and highly advanced integrated bridge systems. In addition, through ChartCo, it provides a unique and highly cost effective means of providing bulk data to ships via satellite. Kelvin Hughes is also the world???s largest supplier of nautical charts and publications for commercial and leisure use.

Kelvin Hughes designed and produced the world???s first solid state marine navigation radar, Sharpeye. This innovative product represents a step change in commercial radar performance and brings military grade radar performance to the commercial marine marketplace for the first time. Following the transaction, Kelvin Hughes will increase its investment in technological innovations and constant product development to further strengthen its position at the forefront of naval and commercial navigation technology. ECI is backing the existing management team led by Russell Gould, MD and the growth of the business will be driven through both organic expansion and acquisitions.