Pinsent Masons advises on £3.75m acquisition for Vislink

BIRMINGHAM based lawyers at Pinsent Masons have advised electronic communications group Vislink on a £3.75m deal to acquire the entire share capital of wireless technology firm Gigawave.

It is the second time in the past six months the law firm has advised Vislink on a major deal, following its decision in December to sell its Hernis Scan Systems subsidiary in a £32.5m deal.

Gigawave, which employs 87 people at its base in Essex, designs, manufactures and supplies wireless camera, microwave and antenna products for the broadcast market.

It has a leading position in the supply of on-board cameras and other applications for televised motorsport events. The acquisition will strengthen Vislink’s position in the broadcast market and enhance its engineering, product portfolio and geographic reach.

Vislink’s own business is targeted at secure communications products and services for the news & entertainment and law enforcement & public safety markets.

Following acquisition, Gigawave will be integrated into Vislink’s UK operations to maximise the benefits offered by Vislink’s global distribution links and brands portfolio, as well as operational efficiencies. Gigawave’s founder and former managing director, Henry Barczynski, has been appointed Vislink’s chief marketing officer reporting to the group chief executive, John Hawkins.
 
The Pinsent Masons team advising on the deal was led by Birmingham based corporate partner Andrew Hornigold, together with Emma Callow.
 
Mr Hornigold said: “It has been a busy six months for Vislink and we are delighted to have been able to assist them with their recent acquisition and disposal programme; including the disposal of the Hernis business in December 2010, the return of cash to shareholders through its tender offer in April 2011 and the acquisition of Gigawave.”

Mr Hornigold heads up Pinsent Masons’ Technology Core Sector group. He deals with the full range of corporate activities for technology companies. He has acted for some of the largest privately owned and publicly quoted technology companies on M&A transactions both in the UK and internationally.