Omnistar DGPS world mapTrimble announced on March 16 that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire certain assets related to the OmniSTAR GNSS signal corrections business from Fugro N.V.
The acquisition is expected to significantly expand Trimble’s worldwide ability to provide correction services for a broad range of land-based applications in addition to OmniSTAR’s current focus in agriculture. Fugro’s offshore marine business is unaffected.
Trimble announced on March 16 that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire certain assets related to the OmniSTAR GNSS signal corrections business from Fugro N.V.
The acquisition is expected to significantly expand Trimble’s worldwide ability to provide correction services for a broad range of land-based applications in addition to OmniSTAR’s current focus in agriculture. Fugro’s offshore marine business is unaffected.
Trimble also entered into a multi-year service agreement with Fugro for ongoing operation of the correction network and satellite service broadcast systems that sustain the OmniSTAR service. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter, subject to certain conditions. The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the deal.
OmniSTAR provides space-based GNSS correction services that can improve the accuracy of a GNSS receiver for precise positioning applications. Currently, OmniSTAR offers four levels of service: “VBS” offering sub-meter positioning, “XP” delivering better than 20 centimeter accuracy, and “HP” delivering greater than10 centimeter accuracy. In addition, the new OmniSTAR “G2” service combines GPS plus GLONASS-based corrections to provide decimeter level positioning.
“With the addition of the OmniSTAR services and our strong relationship with Fugro, we will offer a full range of high-precision positioning capabilities which now includes satellite-delivered corrections,” said Patricia Boothe, general manager of Trimble’s newly formed Positioning Services Division.
“Our expanded portfolio will provide not only farmers, but also surveying, construction, and GIS professionals with more options to satisfy their particular accuracy, delivery and financial needs, she said.”
“The transfer of land-based GNSS signal corrections assets marks the next phase of our efforts to bring a broader range of positioning services to our combined customer base, on land and offshore,” said John Waits, OmniSTAR president.
“The OmniSTAR and Fugro teams remain committed to providing industry leading corrections services for customers who own a variety of GNSS receivers,” he added.
The OmniSTAR business will be reported as part of Trimble’s Engineering and Construction segment.
