Merger of Navico and C-Map
Navico, the largest manufacturer of marine electronics through its Lowrance, Simrad and B&G brands, made official on July 2, 2018 its combination with digital mapping provider C-Map. The two companies, already owned by the same investment fund since C-Map was acquired from the Boeing Group in 2016, will merge. C-Map CEO Sean Fernback joins Navico Group's board of directors and takes the position of CTO.
Continuation of a synergy appreciated by the French nautical industry
"With the same pension fund as owner, the brands were already well integrated. It is now more official and we are going to integrate the distribution of C-Map products into Navico France," explains Gaëlle Linais, director of the French subsidiary. "French customers are very sensitive to this, because previously there was no physical presence of C-Map in France. They are happy to have an established contact with a network and sales people on the road. Navico hardware customers will now be more likely to think about C-Map mapping."
Remain compatible with all marine electronics
While the synergy between hardware and software should drive users of Simrad, Lowrance or B&G products to choose C-Map, the system will remain open. "There are two main players in digital mapping today. Our products are and will remain compatible with both systems. We're going to push C-Map, but we obviously can't cut ourselves off from the others," insists Gaëlle Linais.
Reconciliation of hardware and software
Italy's Navionics, C-Map's main competitor, also came under the control of an electronics manufacturer after its acquisition by Garmin in October 2017. Beyond mapping, marine electronics manufacturers are looking at the content they offer. When Garmin buys community mobile app Active Captain, Navico buys Yacht Defined and Naviop to develop connected boats. Like many Internet companies, the owners of the "pipes" are buying up content providers to keep control of the value.
