u-blox acquires short range modules business from lesswire

THALWIL, Switzerland and BERLIN, Dec. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Swiss based u-blox (SIX:UBXN) announces the acquisition of the automotive-grade Bluetooth and Wi-Fi module products and a team of key engineers from lesswire AG, a subsidiary of the PRETTL group. Founded in 1999, lesswire is a privately owned company that provides robust vehicle-ready short range wireless communication modules to Tier-1 automotive electronics suppliers in Europe and Asia.

The purchase includes off-the-shelf products, equipment and a team of experts in the area of connected car and short range connectivity modules.

"The addition of the automotive modules from lesswire positions u-blox as a strategic supplier of wireless technology to the fast growing market for in-car and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems," said Herbert Blaser, VP of short range products at u-blox. "Besides actual high demand for in-car connectivity, next generation smart cars will have advanced safety and collision avoidance systems that depend on robust, reliable communications.  Building on u‑blox' leadership in automotive positioning electronics, this acquisition adds a key enabling technology to our portfolio. We welcome our new colleagues in Berlin to build on the synergies between our companies."

"The sale of our automotive short range modules to u-blox is advantageous for both companies," said Dr. Ralph Meyfarth, lesswire CEO. "lesswire will continue to focus on system-level products for car connectivity and industrial wireless solutions, and we will depend on u-blox as module-experts to deliver us the key wireless components we need to continue growing in this market."

lesswire's module operations in Berlin will become a u-blox product center for automotive-grade short range radio modules. For existing lesswire customers the current product offering will continue to be supported and further developed.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

About u-blox
Swiss u-blox (SIX:UBXN) is a global leader in positioning and wireless semiconductors and modules for the automotive, industrial and consumer markets. Our solutions enable people, vehicles and machines to locate their exact position and communicate wirelessly over cellular and short range networks. With a broad portfolio of chips, modules and software solutions, u-blox is uniquely positioned to empower OEMs to develop innovative solutions for the Internet of Things, quickly and cost-effectively. With headquarters in Thalwil, Switzerland, u-blox is globally present with offices in Europe, Asia and the USA.
www.u-blox.com

About lesswire
As a leading developer of radio system technology, lesswire provides OEMs, device manufacturers and system integrators with state-of-the-art components, systems and services enabling them to implement wireless applications with superior performance at reduced effort and faster time-to-market. The company offers short-range embedded wireless modules, connected car systems as well as development services and industrial systems.
www.lesswire.com

Disclaimer

This release contains certain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the u-blox Group to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These include risks related to the success of and demand for the Group's products, the potential for the Group's products to become obsolete, the Group's ability to defend its intellectual property, the Group's ability to develop and commercialize new products in a timely manner, the dynamic and competitive environment in which the Group operates, the regulatory environment, changes in currency exchange rates, the Group's ability to generate revenues and profitability, and the Group's ability to realize its expansion projects in a timely manner. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this report. u-blox is providing the information in this release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in it as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This press release is published in German and English. Should the German translation differ from the English original, the English version is binding.

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SOURCE u-blox

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