Cassidian and Atlas Elektronik announce the foundation of Signalis

Cassidian and Atlas Elektronik announce the completion of the merger of their subsidiaries Sofrelog and Atlas Maritime Security. The new company named Signalis officially starts operating as such in January 2011. After signing of the shareholders agreement in June, and approval from the European Commission in October, the final anti-trust clearance has been obtained in December 2010, on time for the scheduled closing date.

Signalis, the world leading provider of maritime safety and security solutions will take the form of a strong and flexible Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) tailored to meet specific customer needs in this market. It will be co-owned by Cassidian (60%) and Atlas Elektronik (40%). The company will have two managing directors: Rémi Julien, acting as Chief Executive Officer, and Dr. Arnd Helmetag, acting as Chief Operating Officer.

Signalis will look resolutely into the future whilst capitalizing on a total workforce of over 190 highly skilled maritime surveillance specialists in Germany and France, as well as on its large customer base with more than 210 systems in use in some 50 countries. It will have the required financial strength to deliver the large-scale security solutions required by governments and other maritime users throughout the world.

The new company will address markets worldwide with innovative, reliable and cost effective products ranging from small-scale Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) systems to high-performance Coastal Surveillance Systems (CSS). It will also provide solutions for harbour security, port management and information systems, as well as other related radar processing applications. Therefore it will benefit from its capability to integrate the latest sensor systems, communications, and data processing technologies.

"With the creation of Signalis we contribute the extensive capabilities of Atlas Elektronik for naval and maritime technologies, and Cassidian creating a world leader in integrated maritime safety and security systems. This merger will allow us to offer our customers solutions that will respond to ever more complex safety and security needs covering land and sea.", says Hervé Guillou, CEO of Cassidian Systems.

"We now have the approval to implement our ambitious plan and integrate two major players in the maritime safety and security business. The increased technology base and strengthened research and development teams of Signalis will allow it to bring superior products and solutions to the market even faster," said Dieter Rottsieper and Kai Horten, managing directors of Atlas Elektronik.

In order to set a joint and prominent landmark, the new Signalsi brand will regroup all activities of Sofrelog and Atlas Maritime Security. The word Signal, the first part of Signalis, is referencing to signal processing, one of the core technologies that the company is offering. The ending IS reflects information systems and signifies that the complex maritime traffic information can only be made useful to the operator with latest computer technology. The new name has been inspired by the fact that systems from SIGNALIS are able to combine and synthesize signals from multiple sensors on remote locations, analyze and signalize specific event on waterways and create situation awareness for the people who's mission is to ensure maritime safety and security.

A new logo was also introduced: It contains 2 circles symbolizing protective barriers, and a ship entering this area. It thus represents safety and security, the ultimate objective of systems from Signalis. The technical aspects of the products are depicted by concentric waves and an orange coloured radar segment. The new logo integrates style elements of the two merging parties.