Continental, a cloud-based SaaS telematics provider based near Frankfurt, Germany, is the new majority owner of technology firm Zonar Systems.
The deal was signed Sept. 23, but remains subject to final approval by the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice. Daimler Trucks North America retains a 19 percent minority stake in Zonar as the company’s exclusive OEM partner.
Continental will account for the remaining 81 percent stake of Zonar, which is headquartered in Seattle. The partnership will “combine their complementary strengths to become a major supplier in the sector and further expand both companies’ portfolios to offer additional smart fleet solutions to the market.”
“With this move, we are further expanding our portfolio and expertise in the arena of mobility services, and fostering our regional balance by investing into a fleet management provider in the US that gives us access to a broad customer base and existing sales channels,” said Helmut Matschi, president of Continental’s Interior Division and an executive board member.
Zonar President Ian McKerlich said the backing of a respected global brand represents an exciting new chapter in the company’s 15 year history.
“(The deal) recognizes our need to serve our markets as a nimble, innovative, customer-focused company as we have for the past 15 years,” McKerlich said. “Customers will receive the same productive partnership and innovation they have come to expect with Zonar, as well as expanded technological resources and capabilities from Continental.”
Zonar’s technology is installed on 200,000 Daimler trucks and Thomas Built Buses. Martin Daum, president and CEO of Daimler Trucks, said Continental’s investment in Zonar “presents a great opportunity to bring the best in both hardware and software solutions to the industry.”
“Daimler Trucks North America will continue its partnership with Zonar building upon the success we have enjoyed over the last five years and Zonar will continue to be an integral part of our connectivity solutions,” Daum added.
Michael Ruf, head of Continental’s commercial vehicle and aftermarket business unit where the Zonar integration will be lead, said the “new smart technology solutions” allows the German firm to enhance its existing fleet management services. This will extend to remote diagnostics, allowing Continental to expand its own existing diagnostics capabilities through new backend services.
Earlier this week, Zonar unveiled its new ruggedized tablet, the Zonar Connect, at the 2016 American Trucking Association Management Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas.
