AUSTIN,
Texas, July 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aviat
Networks, Inc. ("Aviat") (Nasdaq: AVNW), the leading expert in
wireless transport and access solutions, today announced the
acquisition of 4RF Limited ("4RF"), a leading provider of
industrial wireless access solutions, including narrowband
point-to-point/multi-point radios and Private LTE and 5G
routers.
Designed specifically for critical infrastructure networks
including utilities, oil and gas, mining, public safety and
military, 4RF's family of narrowband radios and LTE and 5G routers
offer industry leading reliability and performance. Common
applications include Private LTE/5G, smart grid, distribution
automation, metering and renewables, as well as general supervisory
control and data acquisition (SCADA) and telemetry
applications.
Spending on critical infrastructure networks is increasing
worldwide driven by growing demand for security, automation, and
fixed and mobile data communications such as video. Additionally,
the increasing availability of spectrum for private networks in
various countries around the world is a catalyst for growth.
This acquisition opens new segments for Aviat: a $200M 1 narrowband connectivity
segment and the Cellular (LTE/5G) Router market which is
$1.4B 2 market today
growing to $2.5B by 2027.
With a proven and established presence in over 300 critical
infrastructure customers in 160 countries worldwide, 4RF's
portfolio augments Aviat's established offering of wireless access
and transport solutions for private networks. Approximately 90% of
4RF and Aviat Networks utility customers are distinct, creating the
possibility for future cross-selling opportunities.
"Operators of mission critical networks around the world rely on
Aviat Networks for ultra-reliable and high-performance wireless
solutions," said Pete Smith,
President and CEO of Aviat Networks. "Our acquisition of 4RF will
further strengthen and expand our product offering for the global
industrial wireless access markets including Private LTE/5G."
Aviat expects the transaction to be immediately accretive to
Aviat's gross margin and to be accretive to adjusted EBITDA and
non-GAAP EPS in the first year. Terms of the acquisition were not
disclosed.
About Aviat Networks
Aviat Networks, Inc. is the
leading expert in wireless transport and access solutions and works
to provide dependable products, services and support to its
customers. With more than one million systems sold into 170
countries worldwide, communications service providers and private
network operators including state/local government, utility,
federal government and defense organizations trust Aviat with their
critical applications. Coupled with a long history of microwave
innovations, Aviat provides a comprehensive suite of localized
professional and support services enabling customers to drastically
simplify both their networks and their lives. For more than 70
years, the experts at Aviat have delivered high performance
products, simplified operations, and the best overall customer
experience. Aviat is headquartered in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit
www.aviatnetworks.com or connect with Aviat Networks on Facebook
and LinkedIn.
Forward Looking Statements
The information contained
in this document includes forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including Aviat's beliefs
and expectations regarding the transaction with 4RF and the
previously announced transaction with NEC Corporation ("NEC"),
outlook, business conditions, new product solutions, customer
positioning, future orders, bookings, new contracts, cost
structure, profitability in fiscal 2024 and 2025, process
improvements, plans and objectives of management, realignment plans
and review of strategic alternatives and expectations regarding
future revenue, gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA, operating income or
earnings or loss per share. All statements, trend analyses and
other information contained herein regarding the foregoing beliefs
and expectations, as well as about the markets for the services and
products of Aviat and trends in revenue, and other statements
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including
"anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "goal,"
"will," "see," "continue," "delivering," "view," and "intend," or
the negative of these terms or other similar expressions,
constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance.
Instead, forward-looking statements are based on estimates
reflecting the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the
senior management of Aviat regarding the future of its business,
future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and
trends, the economy and other future conditions. Such
forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those suggested by the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements should therefore be considered in light
of various important factors, including those set forth in this
document. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these
forward-looking statements.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from estimates or projections contained in the
forward-looking statements include the following: the disruption
the 4RF and NEC transactions may cause to customers, vendors,
business partners and our ongoing business; our ability to
integrate the operations of the acquired 4RF and NEC businesses
with our existing operations and fully realize the expected
synergies of the 4RF and NEC transactions on the expected timeline;
impact of COVID-19; disruptions relating to the ongoing conflict
between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas; continued price
and margin erosion in the microwave transmission industry; the
impact of the volume, timing, and customer, product, and geographic
mix of our product orders; our ability to meet financial covenant
requirements; the timing of our receipt of payment; our ability to
meet product development dates or anticipated cost reductions of
products; our suppliers' inability to perform and deliver on time,
component shortages, or other supply chain constraints; the effects
of inflation; customer acceptance of new products; the ability of
our subcontractors to timely perform; weakness in the global
economy affecting customer spending; retention of our key
personnel; our ability to manage and maintain key customer
relationships; uncertain economic conditions in the
telecommunications sector combined with operator and supplier
consolidation; our failure to protect our intellectual property
rights or defend against intellectual property infringement claims;
the results of our restructuring efforts; the ability to preserve
and use our net operating loss carryforwards; the effects of
currency and interest rate risks; the effects of current and future
government regulations; general economic conditions, including
uncertainty regarding the timing, pace and extent of an economic
recovery in the United States and
other countries where we conduct business; the conduct of unethical
business practices in developing countries; the impact of political
turmoil in countries where we have significant business; our
ability to realize the anticipated benefits of any proposed or
recent acquisitions; the impact of tariffs, the adoption of trade
restrictions affecting our products or suppliers, a United States withdrawal from or significant
renegotiation of trade agreements, the occurrence of trade wars,
the closing of border crossings, and other changes in trade
regulations or relationships; our ability to implement our stock
repurchase program or that it will enhance long-term stockholder
value; and the impact of adverse developments affecting the
financial services industry, including events or concerns involving
liquidity, defaults or non-performance by financial
institutions.
For more information regarding the risks and uncertainties for
Aviat's business, see "Risk Factors" in Aviat's Form 10-K filed for
fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 filed
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on
August 30, 2023, as well as other
reports filed by Aviat with the SEC from time to time. Aviat
undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking
statement, whether written or oral, for any reason, except as
required by law, even as new information becomes available or other
events occur in the future.
1 Aviat Internal Research
2 Berg Insight, 2023. 5G router and gateway sales
gain momentum (berginsight.com)
Contact
Investor Relations:
Andrew Fredrickson
Phone: (408) 501-6214
Email: andrew.fredrickson@aviatnet.com
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SOURCE Aviat Networks, Inc.