Skip to main content

WiLAN to acquire International Road Dynamics

Canadian patent licensing company WiLAN is to acquire intelligent transportation systems (ITS) supplier International Road Dynamics for an equity value of approximately US $47.4 million (CA$63.5 million). The acquisition is part of WiLAN’s growth strategy which will see it operate under the Quarterhill name from around the beginning of June 2017.
April 20, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

Canadian patent licensing company 8619 WiLAN is to acquire intelligent transportation systems (ITS) supplier 69 International Road Dynamics for an equity value of approximately US $47.4 million (CA$63.5 million). The acquisition is part of WiLAN’s growth strategy which will see it operate under the Quarterhill name from around the beginning of June 2017.

As IRD is an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) company specialising in ITS and producing a portfolio of integrated hardware and software solutions to better detect, measure and analyse a variety of transportation challenges, the acquisition fits in with Quarterhill’s growth strategy. Quarterhill will focus on acquiring technology companies in the IIoT segment across multiple verticals. The acquired businesses will operate independently as subsidiaries of Quarterhill. WiLAN will continue as a key subsidiary of Quarterhill focusing on patent licensing.

According to Shaun McEwan, interim CEO of WiLAN, IRD fits its acquisition profile and has built an attractive portfolio of IP protected technology and an enviable track record of financial performance that includes a growing base of recurring revenue and solid cash flow generation.

Terry Bergan, president and CEO of IRD, said, “The Quarterhill platform, once in place, will give us the opportunity to focus 100 per cent of our energy on strengthening and accelerating the growth of our business. We have a history of innovation and look forward to having the expertise of the WiLAN team under the same corporate umbrella.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Pelmorex enhances traffic and traveller information
    September 13, 2012
    Ontario-headquartered Pelmorex Media, parent company of The Weather Network and MétéoMédia, has acquired Beat The Traffic, Californian provider of vehicle traffic reporting solutions for broadcast media and consumers. The acquisition gives Pelmorex Media a significant boost to its expertise in traveller information and access to technology and patents that will enhance the services that will be provided by Travelers Network, to be launched in late October. Travelers Network will be established as its own d
  • GE to convert half its global vehicle fleet to electric
    March 2, 2012
    GE has announced it will purchase 25,000 electric vehicles by 2015 for its own fleet and through its Capital Fleet Services business - the largest-ever single electric vehicle commitment.
  • 'Conservatism hampering ITS technical evolution'
    November 13, 2012
    Nick Lanigan, managing director of Clearview Traffic, considers the current outlook in the ITS sector from an SME's perspective. Interview with Jason Barnes. When times are hard, businesses can invest or cut. Either way, they need guidance from customers – governments – on where best to concentrate their efforts. Prolonged economic slowdown is currently an issue. A short recession, however sharp, would have left many industry players able to ride the bow-wave of governments’ multi-year spending on strategic
  • Over-the-air software updates to benefit for automotive market, IHS says
    September 8, 2015
    While quite common in smartphones and personal computers, remote over-the-air (OTA) software updates are still only in their infancy in the automotive space, according to a new report from IHS Automotive. The report finds that OTA software updates will eventually be a big benefit for the automotive industry due to their capacity to reduce warranty costs, potentially increase overall completion rates for software-related recalls, improve customer satisfaction by eliminating trips to the dealership for so