Cargotec has completed the USD190 million acquisition of terminal operating system (TOS) provider Navis from Zebra Technologies Corp.

Cargotec announced its intention to buy Navis on 31 January (Forkliftaction.com News #500).

The acquisition supports Cargotec's strategy to focus on customers and invest in attractive customer segments. Cargotec spokeswoman Maija Eklöf tells Forkliftaction.com News that the company is seeking growth through acquisitions, partnerships and organic growth. "In addition to customer focus, we expect to achieve growth by expanding our presence and offering, especially in the emerging markets and in the service business."

Cargotec and Navis will offer integrated solutions, placing themselves in a position to deliver turnkey operations to customers. Cargotec's cargo and load handling equipment and services will combine with Navis's "flexible and scalable" TOS software.

California-headquartered Navis has over 300 employees, most located in the US and India. Eklöf says Cargotec will employ Navis's current staff including its management team. "The transaction has no impact on the number of Navis employees or their operational roles."

Navis president Bill Walsh is excited about the transaction. "Together we can provide seamless integration between the critical elements of terminal operations. Navis will continue to operate independently under its own company name and we will maintain our well-known brand and preserve our valuable customer, technology and equipment relationships."

Mikael Mäkinen, Cargotec's CEO, says the companies not only complement each other in their offerings but also share a similar mind-set. "We both work closely with our customers and constantly seek new ways to make the flow of cargo more efficient."

Navis, based in Oakland, California was founded in 1988. Marine container terminals are its core market and its solutions are used in over 50 countries. Its sales are expected to be about USD70 million in 2011, with about 40% in recurring sales. Navis claims its TOS software is a global leader in marine terminals and is widely used in rail yard operations and at distribution centres.

Navis systems help customers coordinate and automate the movement of containers and equipment in terminal and yard environments. Customers can manage multiple operations from one location.

Cargotec of Helsinki, Finland provides cargo and load handling solutions through the Hiab, Kalmar and MacGregor brands. Its sales totaled EUR2.6 billion (USD3.7 billion) in 2010 and it employs about 10,000 people.