EMS Technologies Inc. has announced the signing of a definitive agreement for the sale of its Satellite Networks (SatNet) division to Advantech Advanced Microwave Technologies Inc., a manufacturer of satellite and terrestrial wireless communication equipment, with corporate headquarters in Montreal, Canada. The parties are seeking to close the transaction as soon as possible, subject to obtaining certain customer and supplier consents.
The company also announced that in connection with these final steps in discontinuing its SatNet division, it anticipates an additional impairment charge during the fourth quarter of approximately $2.5 M on the assets being sold, and it may recognize additional losses through discontinued operations arising from the SatNet division's operations during the fourth quarter.
"This agreement is another important milestone as we focus company resources on the long-term growth of our core businesses," said Alfred G. Hansen, president and chief executive officer of EMS Technologies. "Satellite Networks has been a pioneer in the DVB-RCS arena, and will bring a deep technology base to Advantech in the growing arena of satellite broadband communications. While I believe its operations have a bright long-term future in the hands of Advantech, it remains a small start-up venture whose orders stream is difficult to predict. Continued delays in orders, and resulting continuing losses and cash funding requirements during the fourth quarter underscore that EMS and its shareholders are better served by a sale to a company like Advantech, which can integrate SatNet with other complementary product lines and technologies and enable its success."