Panasonic Europe has announced the acquisition of AlanDick Communications, a leading UK technology integration specialist providing end-to-end telecoms-based services to the transportation and mobile telecoms sectors.

The acquisition of AlanDick Communications (which will trade under ADComms), which includes ADComms’ companies IPS, AIB, and Rail Order, provides Panasonic with an opportunity to expand into the rapidly-growing rail market, incorporating mainline rail, London underground and other light metro infrastructure in the UK. The acquisition is part of Panasonic’s wider solutions approach to provide turnkey solutions to its customers that include connectivity, hardware and software alongside engineering services. It also reflects Panasonic’s continued commitment to the ‘Digitisation of Transport’.

As part of the acquisition, ADComms will join the System Solutions division within Panasonic Business, to develop world class solutions for larger customers, providing a single point of contact and improved accountability.

Managing Director of the System Solutions division within Panasonic Business Tony O’Brien said, “We are committed to being a strategic partner for companies seeking end to end business solutions in key vertical markets. We already provide a range of technologies and services specific to the avionics and automotive industries, rail is our next strategic key vertical. Following our review of the UK market it became clear that the ADComms business and its management team have developed a fantastic reputation within the sector, with quality delivery and solid engineering innovation. Our position will be significantly strengthened with the transport infrastructure experience brought to the table by ADComms.”

Jason Pearce, Managing Director at ADComms, said, “ADComms is excited about the potential of being part of a global group, helping Panasonic drive its strategy to get closer to the customer which very much fits with our strategy and the reputation we have built over many years in the UK transportation sector.

“ADComms has always adopted a technology-agnostic approach whereby we recommend and implement the best solution for our customers and, as a standalone business within the Panasonic Group, we will continue to support products that are right for our customers on the basis of safety, quality and price. Now we have the added benefit of being able to access the world-class Panasonic R&D facilities. As the transport sector drives for digitisation and the smarter connected infrastructure of the future, ADComms can offer significant investment in innovation, to help our customers achieve their aspirations far faster than would have been otherwise possible.”

In July 2015, Panasonic teamed up with ADComms to provide a trackside trespass warning system for the UK railway network, using a combination of Panasonic security cameras and analytics software to alert the operator to people leaving the platform.

By joining forces both parties look forward to providing innovative solution for the digitisation of the transportation industry.