05-10-2017
LATEST NEWS - 05-10-2017
05-10-2017
Olivier Gualdoni, the CEO of Drone Volt, stated that: “We continue to be faithful to our business plans focused on organic growth and a very careful analysis of external growth opportunities. Our acquisition of the knowledge base of Aerialtronics will enable us to enhance our product offerings, specifically in the field of security. We are also taking on a second production site that puts us in a prime position to foresee and cover the demand in Europe for professional drones. This transaction is being conducted under highly favourable financial terms for our shareholders and will allow us to create value. “
Aerialtronics has developed an acknowledged level of expertise in designing and manufacturing professional drones for civilian uses by drawing on the considerable potential of artificial intelligence and big data analytics. Its product offerings are built around the Altura Zenith surveillance system, data capture modules (audio, video, physical parameters, etc.) and software for the processing and analysis of the data collected.
Aerialtronics, based in Katwijk in the Netherlands, had some twenty employees and was declared bankrupt by the commercial court of The Hague on September 18, 2017. It had a broad client base, mainly police forces and government agencies, in some ten countries where Drone Volt was not present.
Thanks to this transaction, Drone Volt will therefore have a new industrial and commercial base in Europe to expand its offer of design engineering services intended for major corporations and government agencies, as well as its value-added services, specifically Drone Volt Academy. Drone Volt will set the new structure up with its worldwide distribution network, particularly in France and Africa, regions where Aerialtronics did not have a presence.
Drone Volt will also benefit from a production unit and an R&D department with a knowledge base that supplements that of the mother company, specifically in the cameras sector, with real-time data analysis performed by a built in processor with a 1 teraflop capacity.
The sale contract (“Contract”) comprises the main assets of Aerialtronics (intellectual property and inventory) and provides for the transfer of all employees sharing the group values. The Contract was signed on 18 September 2017 between the court-appointed liquidator and a physical person who will be replaced, in the next few days, by a Dutch company currently being founded, to be called Aerialtronics DV B.V. (“Newco”).
The Contract calls for a down payment of 325,500 euros and a top-up price of 475,500 euros, to be spread over 2017, 2018 and 2019. Drone Volt has committed to subscribe to 100,400 euros of Newco’s capital stock in return for 50.2% of the shares. This acquisition of assets will include 200,000 euros put up by Newco, with the balance to come in the form of bonds from partner business angels, some of whom are already shareholders in Drone Volt.
About Drone Volt
Founded in 2011, Drone Volt has offices in France, Benelux, Canada, Denmark, the United States and Switzerland and is a company specialising in the design and commercialisation of civil drones for professional use. As a global partner, it offers its customers turnkey professional solutions including a variety of services and pilot training.
This young innovative company had a turnover of 6.8 million Euros in 2016 (+90%) and is the leading audiovisual drone manufacturer. It also provides administration and industrial services for aerial photography. Some of the company’s clients are: France Televisions, TF1, the Gendarmerie des Transports Aériens (GTA), Point.P, etc. Drone Volt was named an “Innovative Enterprise” by Bpifrance.
About Aerialtronics
Aerialtronics is an end-to-end solution developer that utilizes drones, artificial intelligence and IOT data to provide businesses with augmented and actionable insights that create a perfect synergy between aerial applications and everyday business operations.
The company provides innovative solutions for professionals across a variety of industries such as Safety & Security, Inspection, Surveying & Mapping. They offer customizable unmanned systems that enable businesses to easily survey, inspect and analyse aerial data in real time. With a weatherproof fuselage and the widest payload and sensor compatibility on the market today, the Altura Zenith is unrivalled in its performance and capabilities.
Together with aerospace graded support and service Aerialtronics offers customers reliable and future proof equipment and aerial operations.
