Empresas y finanzas

Navico Agrees to Buy Brunswick New Technologies' Marine Electronics, Creating the World Leader in Marine Electronics for Recreational Boats



    Navico International Ltd. agreed to acquire the marine electronics
    business of Brunswick New Technologies (BNT), a unit of Brunswick
    Corporation (NYSE: BC). Subject to regulatory approvals, this
    transaction, which is expected to close during March 2007, will create
    the world's largest supplier of marine electronics for recreational
    boats.

    Included in the agreement are the three brands MX Marine, Navman
    marine and Northstar. The combined businesses had revenues of USD 50
    million in 2006 with primary operating facilities in New Zealand, the
    United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

    "We are truly excited to add these three highly-regarded brands to
    the Navico range, thus forming the clear global leader in marine
    electronics for recreational boats with an estimated market share of
    25 percent. MX Marine, Navman marine and Northstar will further
    strengthen Navico's house of brands strategy which includes already
    the renowned B&G, Eagle, Lowrance and Simrad brand names. The new
    companies will expand Navico's commitment to providing performance,
    safety and enjoyment on the water," said Jens-Thomas Pietralla,
    President and CEO of Navico.

    MX Marine has a 30-year heritage in providing high precision
    navigation systems for commercial and government vessels.

    Navman marine offers a portfolio of marine electronics products
    and GPS solutions, designed and manufactured in New Zealand, and has
    established a leading market position in Australasia as well as a
    strong presence in Europe over the last 15 years.

    Northstar has been a leader in the US marine electronics industry
    for over 35 years, and now offers a range of solutions that combine
    navigation, radar, and entertainment functionality. Boat builders and
    boat owners alike value Northstar's systems.

    "With this acquisition, Navico will expand its product line-up
    with key innovations out of Brunswick marine electronics' portfolio,
    which is known for its design and user-friendliness - an area of
    increasing importance in light of growing functionality and
    convergence of devices," said Pietralla. "This deal will further
    strengthen our presence in the Asia Pacific markets, which are
    expected to be a major source of growth for the marine electronics
    industry."

    As part of the transaction, Brunswick will enter into a supply
    agreement with Navico, which secures a close partnership with all
    Navico brands to supply leading-edge technology to the Brunswick Boat
    Group.

    About Navico (www.navico.com)

    Navico is the parent company to four well established marine
    electronics brands: B&G, Eagle, Lowrance and Simrad. Navico has 2,500
    employees and has revenues of approx. USD 300M. Navico is
    headquartered in Lysaker, near Oslo in Norway. The company has
    development and manufacturing facilities in Tulsa USA, Ensenada
    Mexico, Egersund Norway, St0vring Denmark and Romsey UK.