Micro Nav sold to Quadrant Group
Micro Nav Ltd, the market leading specialist developer of air traffic control simulation software and training systems, has been acquired by Quadrant Group, an aviation simulation and training group, with services tailored to the specific needs of both civil and military customers in the UK and worldwide. BCMS served as the exclusive advisor on this landmark transaction, which completed in 2012.
Micro Nav is a global market leader in the Air Traffic Control Simulation business, with particular strength in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It developed a complete range of proprietary software-driven simulation products, the most widely known being the “BEST” range of ATC simulation systems.
Micro Nav, founded in 1988 by two of its current shareholder directors, was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, recognizing its consistent strong growth in export markets. At the time of the transaction, it serviced more than 50 blue chip customers in over 25 countries around the world.
Deal commentary
The founders made the decision to lead Micro Nav into the next phase of its growth via a sale to a strategic acquirer and retained BCMS to deliver this objective. Mike Male, Managing Director of Micro Nav stated: “The purchase by Quadrant provides an ideal fit for Micro Nav and as part of a larger integrated company, with shared values, we are now ideally placed to continue with our ambitious growth plans.”
Commenting on the acquisition David Coghlan, Quadrant Group chairman said: “We are delighted that Micro Nav will be joining Quadrant – Flight Simulation and Air Traffic Control Simulation are closely aligned specialist niches within the worldwide aviation training market, with opportunities for increasing technical convergence between them. [There are now] around 180 staff now in the enlarged Quadrant Group.”
Mike Male added: “This is an excellent way forward for Micro Nav to become part of a larger organisation in a compatible field, and we particularly like the fact that the values and focus on customer service are very well matched. My fellow directors and I are very much looking forward to leading Micro Nav in the next phase of its growth as part of the enlarged Quadrant Group.”
Today, the Quadrant Group comprises a number of specialist divisional companies: Quadrant Systems Limited (QSL), the UK operating company based in Burgess Hill, West Sussex; Quadrant Simulation Systems, Inc. (QSSI), the US operating company based in Orlando, Florida; Micro Nav Limited, the ATC simulator specialist operating in Bournemouth, Dorset; Quest Flight Training Limited (Quest), based at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, UK; Global ATS (GATS), the UK operating company based in Gloucestershire Airport, UK.
