Novra Technologies Buys Wegener, Westport Research In Consolidation Play

February 6, 2014 by Dave Haynes

Novra Technologies, a TSX Venture Exchange listed Canadian company that does datacasting, IP-TV and digital signage, has acquired a pair of US companies it what’s described as a consolidation play.

Novra, based in chilly Winnipeg, Manitoba,  has signed term sheets to acquire Wegener Corporation of Johns Creek, Georgia and Westport Research Associates, Inc. of Raytown, Missouri. The transaction is subject to Novra’s due diligence and the approval of Wegener Corporation shareholders.

“The product portfolio of the combined companies will provide a powerful suite of capabilities for large-scale networks in radio broadcasting, business music, broadcast video, digital signage and IP-TV,” says Harris Liontas, President and CEO of Novra, in a press release. “Wegener Corporation and Westport Research Associates, Inc. are not just simple acquisitions but a merger allowing for the creation of a solutions-based provider that will offer clients a broader scope of services and deeper access to industry expertise.”

“Representing the first step in Novra Technologies’ strategic vision to combine companies with strong product line, broad install base and operational synergies, these acquisitions are expected to be completed in the first or second quarter of 2014.”

Combined, the three companies have deployed over 450,000 devices in more than 50 countries across 6 continents providing content to hundreds of millions of consumers. The opportunity to integrate industry-leading software and hardware, both at the entry and enterprise level, will result in value-added enhancements to existing and future clients.

“This acquisition represents an exciting improvement for Wegener Corporation, its shareholders, and its customers. There are product synergies with very little overlap,” adds Troy Woodbury, President and CEO of Wegener Corporation. “Novra Technologies’ worldwide distribution channels strengthen Wegener Corporation’s ability to leverage our extensive installed base of digital signage, broadcast radio, and private video networks to develop a truly global presence.”

Wegener has been doing digital video and audio solutions for broadcast television, radio, telco, private and cable networks for about 30 years.

“Novra’s world-wide market presence and distribution channels expand the reach of Westport Research Associates’ industry leading products beyond North America,” says Don Cartner, President and CEO of Westport Research Associates. “We have a significant North American presence in the business music, weather data distribution and broadcast radio industries. This acquisition allows Westport Research Associates to address the large international markets for these products.”

Westport Research was/is privately held and does custom and innovative solutions to move and manage media assets for background music, digital signage, weather, broadcast radio, and movie theaters.

What little I know about Novra is that the company is a pretty active player in datacasting and satellite. There’s a media offshoot that has done some work in retail banking and beer retailing up in Canada. I am pretty sure, but not positive, they are still related companies.

Novra describes itself as “a provider of premium products and solutions to the datacasting and digital signage markets. Novra specializes in the transmission and reception of IP traffic over satellite, cable and terrestrial communication links. Products offered include broadband receivers for DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C, and ATSC systems. Novra’s IPE encapsulator products can be used in both DVB and ATSC MPEG2 systems for datacasting as well as broadband access applications. The NovraLink digital signage solution integrates Novra’s technologies into a comprehensive multimedia management and distribution system.”