Adherent will be combined with the Tektronix video business to provide solutions that will enable the broadcast industry, as well as telecommunications and computer industries, to deploy MPEG technology for storage and transmission of video over broadband communication networks, including the Internet. The joining of the two leading experts in MPEG technology forms a world-class organization which will provide total MPEG solutions for digital video customers. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
This acquisition is strategic to Tektronix’ focus of enabling communication networks and Internet technologies as today’s complex communication-based infrastructure deploys more digital video each day, said Rick Wills, president and CEO, Tektronix. MPEG is a fundamental technology for the transmission of digital video, and this acquisition expands Tektronix’ tools that enable the quality control and management of video content as it is created, manipulated, and distributed through any communication network.
The acquisition is a key step towards satisfying both current and future customer demands for MPEG test equipment. MPEG video compression is the basis for digital video applications such as streaming media over the Internet and digital television. These applications require new tools that not only manage the compression process, but also analyze and monitor the quality of the digital video signal. By incorporating Adherent’s innovative MPEG product line into Tektronix’ already robust MPEG test offerings, Tektronix will be able to provide a complete MPEG product portfolio to enable customers around the world to implement digital video technology.
This is a win for everyone involved, said Bob Agnes, vice president, Video Business Unit, Tektronix. We are combining Tektronix’ vast resources, broad test and measurement portfolio, exceptional service and support, and global presence with Adherent’s 100% focus on MPEG test products to grow faster and to accelerate time to market. By incorporating Adherent’s expertise into our Video Business Unit, our customers will benefit from one-stop shopping for all their video test needs, from RF to picture quality to MPEG analysis.
In less than ten years, Adherent has grown from a start-up to a recognized leader in MPEG test and measurement, said Ian Valentine, Managing Director, Adherent. But our growth curve has reached the point where we need a more far-reaching infrastructure than we currently have. Aligning ourselves with Tektronix allows us to leverage their global resources to bring products to market more quickly. And we will take advantage of Tektronix’ world-recognized brand. There couldn’t be a better strategic direction for Adherent than to unite with Tektronix.
Tektronix intends to transform the current Adherent facility in Cambridge, England, into a Global Center for MPEG test competency. Research and development for MPEG-related products, as well as the marketing efforts for those products, will be handled from that location. The Cambridge facility is ideally situated geographically since Europe is currently the leader in the deployment of digital video services.
We’ll use the strong R&D resources currently installed in Cambridge to lead the strategic direction, execution, and delivery of MPEG measurement tools. And we’ll also pool our engineering competencies to push on-going and rapid development of MPEG test tools to grow our business, said Agnes.
