Marlin Equity Partners has acquired the video, audio and surveillance products business of Cobham for $10 million. The acquired business now operates under the name The Surveillance Business.
The Surveillance Business (TSB) designs, manufactures and sells video, audio and other surveillance products for use by intelligence agencies, national law enforcement organizations, military special forces, and commercial operations. The company’s products are used for video surveillance, audio surveillance, tagging, tracking and locating products, cellular monitoring and intercept technologies, and surveillance operation command and control. TSB was founded in 2001 and maintains two headquarters, one in Tampa, FL and the other in Whiteley, UK.
Marlin Equity Partners considers TSB to be one of the top providers of surveillance equipment. “We are excited to partner with the leading global provider of high-end surveillance equipment and are passionate to deepen TSB’s long-standing relationships with its global, blue-chip customer base,” said Ryan Wald, a partner at Marlin. “As an independent company, TSB is now well-positioned to execute on its growth plan and continue to provide the most advanced, mission-critical surveillance solutions in the market.”
Marlin Equity Partners invests in businesses that have revenues of $20 million to $1 billion and that are in the process of undergoing varying degrees of operational, financial or market-driven change. Sectors of interest include technology, healthcare, consumer products and services, business services, manufacturing, aerospace & defense, distribution & logistics, and media. The firm has $3 billion of capital under management and is headquartered in Los Angeles with an additional office in London (www.marlinequity.com).
“With Marlin, we have gained a strategic partner with deep corporate divestiture experience and a strong track record of growing global companies,” said Dan Gelston, who will continue to lead TSB under Marlin ownership. “TSB’s market leading position in technologically innovative surveillance equipment combined with Marlin’s operational expertise will provide TSB’s customers with unmatched products and service.”
Cobham (LON: COB), the seller of TSB, is a defense products manufacturing company based in Wimborne Minster, UK. The company is considered to be one of the top 50 defense companies in the world (www.cobham.com).
© 2016 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 1-19-16
