Navico

Navico is a Norwegian marine electronics group whose products serve both recreational boaters and commercial marine operators. Its portfolio has been assembled from several specialist businesses and brands with long histories in radio communications, navigation, sonar, sailing instrumentation, radar and digital marine cartography. The group is headquartered in Egersund, Norway, and has operated manufacturing facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, Mexico and New Zealand. Navico was created in 2006 when Simrad Yachting and Lowrance Electronics were combined by their common owner, Altor Equity Partners. The transaction brought together Simrad's marine navigation and communications heritage with Lowrance's strong position in consumer sonar and fish-finding equipment. In 2007, Navico expanded substantially by acquiring the marine electronics business of Brunswick New Technologies, making the group one of the largest suppliers of marine electronics for recreational boats. The acquired activities also strengthened its commercial navigation capabilities and contributed to the development of the Simrad Professional offering. The business is organized around several established brands. Lowrance is primarily associated with fishing electronics, including sonar, fishfinders, GPS receivers and digital mapping systems. Simrad Yachting serves powerboat owners, cruising customers and sportfishing users with integrated navigation systems, chartplotters, autopilots, radar, sonar, marine communications and other onboard technologies. B&G, originally Brookes & Gatehouse, focuses on sailing and performance sailing, offering instruments, navigation systems, autopilots, radar, tactical racing tools and performance-analysis software. C-MAP supplies digital charts, cartography and related services for recreational and commercial users, covering inland waters, coasts and oceans. The group has roots in businesses founded well before Navico itself. Simonsen Radio, established in 1946 by Willy Simonsen, developed radio and echo-sounding equipment and later became associated with the Simrad name. Brookes & Gatehouse was founded in the United Kingdom in 1955, while Lowrance Electronics was established in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1957 and became known for bringing practical sonar technology to recreational anglers. C-MAP was founded in 1985 and added a specialized digital-cartography capability to Navico's portfolio when Navico acquired it in 2017. Ownership changed in 2016, when Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division and Altor Fund IV agreed to acquire Navico Holding and Digital Marine Solutions, the owner of Jeppesen Marine, from Altor 2003 Fund. Navico also expanded its Ensenada, Mexico, manufacturing plant in 2016. In 2019, Knut Frostad became president and chief executive officer. Brunswick Corporation acquired Navico in 2021, bringing the group into Brunswick's marine portfolio. Navico's brands and technologies therefore occupy a position spanning consumer boating, fishing, sailing, yacht electronics and professional maritime operations.

Navico's corporate history begins with a set of independent marine-technology businesses that developed specialized equipment for fishermen, sailors, yacht owners and commercial vessels. In Norway, Willy Simonsen founded Simonsen Radio in 1946. The company worked initially in radio communications for fishing vessels and later broadened its activities into navigation, auto-steering, fish finding and other marine technologies. The Simrad name came to represent this wider group of activities. Simrad's recreational product business later became distinct from the industrially oriented Simrad operations associated with Kongsberg. In the United Kingdom, Brookes & Gatehouse, commonly known as B&G, was founded in 1955 by Major R. N. Gatehouse and Ronald Brookes. It developed a specialist reputation in sailing electronics, including instruments and systems used by cruising sailors, racing teams and larger yachts. In the United States, Darrell Lowrance founded Lowrance Electronics in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1957. Lowrance introduced the Fish-Lo-K-Tor, often referred to as the Little Green Box, helping establish recreational sonar as a practical product for anglers. The company subsequently developed consumer sonar, GPS receivers, mapping systems and related fishing electronics. C-MAP added another important strand to the group's history. Founded in 1985, it developed electronic charts and digital cartography for lakes, coastal waters and oceans. Its products served recreational boaters ranging from anglers to sailors and powerboat users, while the company also supplied commercial marine customers. The modern Navico group was formed in 2006. Altor Equity Partners, which owned the relevant businesses, combined Simrad Yachting and Lowrance Electronics. The merger linked Simrad's navigation, communications and marine-instrument capabilities with Lowrance's consumer fishing and sonar expertise. In 2007, Navico acquired the marine electronics business of Brunswick New Technologies. This transaction enlarged the group's product portfolio and strengthened its position in both recreational and commercial marine electronics. The acquired MX Marine activities were subsequently integrated into the Simrad Professional range, extending offerings in commercial GPS and differential GPS. In 2016, Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division and Altor Fund IV agreed to acquire Navico Holding and Digital Marine Solutions Holding, the owner of Jeppesen Marine, from Altor 2003 Fund. During the same year, Navico expanded its manufacturing facility in Ensenada, Mexico, by about 50,000 square feet. In 2017, the group acquired C-MAP, bringing digital cartography and mapping services into its core brand portfolio. C-MAP continued to address both recreational and commercial marine markets, although most of its commercial products and services were sold to Lloyd's Register in December 2020. Navico's market structure centers on distinct brands with complementary audiences. Lowrance emphasizes fishing, especially freshwater and near-coastal use. Simrad Yachting focuses on powerboats, cruising and sportfishing, while Simrad Professional supplies electronics for commercial vessels. B&G is the sailing specialist, supporting both cruising and high-performance racing. C-MAP provides the digital chart and mapping layer used across many boating applications. Knut Frostad became president and chief executive officer in 2019. In 2021, Brunswick Corporation acquired Navico. Following that transaction, Navico became part of Brunswick's marine portfolio, while its established brands continued to represent different segments of marine electronics. The group's legacy is therefore a combination of long-running specialist brands and successive ownership and integration decisions intended to build a broad international marine-technology platform.

• 2021

  Brunswick acquires Navico

  [1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  Brunswick Corporation acquires Navico and adds its marine-electronics portfolio to the Brunswick group.

• 2019

  Knut Frostad becomes president and CEO

  [1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  Knut Frostad is appointed president and chief executive officer of Navico.

• 2017

  C-MAP joins Navico

  [1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  Navico acquires C-MAP and expands its digital cartography and mapping capabilities.

• 2007

  Brunswick marine electronics business joins Navico

  [1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  Navico acquires the marine electronics business of Brunswick New Technologies.

• 2006

  Navico is created

  [1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  Simrad Yachting and Lowrance Electronics are combined under common ownership to form Navico.

• 2005

  Altor acquires Simrad Yachting

  [1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  Altor 2003 Fund acquires Simrad Yachting AS from Kongsberg Group.

• 2003

  Simrad Yachting acquires B&G

  [1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  B&G becomes part of the Simrad Yachting portfolio, linking its sailing specialization to the broader recreational marine business.

• 1996

  Kongsberg acquires the Simrad Group

  [1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  The Kongsberg Group acquires Simrad and later separates its recreational product activities from its industrial marine focus.

• 1985

  C-MAP is founded

  [1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  C-MAP begins developing digital marine cartography for recreational and commercial users.

• 1957

  Lowrance Electronics is founded

  [1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  Darrell Lowrance establishes Lowrance Electronics in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the company later launches the Fish-Lo-K-Tor recreational sonar.

Showing the 10 most recent.

A multi-brand marine electronics group combining fishing, sailing, recreational boating, yacht, commercial navigation and digital-cartography capabilities.

• Fishing electronics · 1957

  Lowrance

  Lowrance is Navico's fishing-oriented electronics brand. Its portfolio includes consumer sonar, fishfinders, GPS receivers, digital mapping systems and multifunction displays. The brand is particularly associated with freshwater and near-coastal fishing. Its product ecosystem has included High Definition Systems displays and add-on technologies such as Broadband 4G Radar, StructureScan SideScan and DownScan Imaging, marine audio, weather information and AIS collision-avoidance functions.

• Yacht and recreational marine electronics · 1947

  Simrad Yachting

  Simrad Yachting serves powerboat owners, cruising customers and sportfishing users. Its products include integrated navigation systems, chartplotters, radar, autopilots, echo sounders, fishfinders, marine VHF radios and other helm technologies. The brand descends from the Simrad marine-technology tradition but is distinct from the industrial Simrad operations associated with Kongsberg.

• Commercial marine electronics

  Simrad Professional

  Simrad Professional provides navigation and marine electronics for commercial vessels, including radar, autopilot, GPS and differential GPS, navigation, communications and safety-related systems. Its offerings have been used across vessel types ranging from smaller inland-waterway craft to larger coastal commercial and passenger vessels. The MX Marine activities acquired through Brunswick New Technologies were incorporated into this professional line.

• Sailing electronics · 1955

  B&G

  B&G is Navico's specialist sailing brand, serving cruising yachts, racing boats, sailing clubs and superyachts. Its portfolio includes chartplotters, navigation instruments, autopilots, radar and sailing-performance tools. B&G also develops tactical racing software and systems for measuring and analyzing boat performance, supporting both professional race programs and amateur sailors.

• Digital marine cartography · 1985

  C-MAP

  C-MAP provides digital charts, electronic cartography and mapping services for boaters and marine organizations. Its coverage includes lakes, coastal waters and oceans, supporting anglers, sailors and powerboat users. C-MAP also served commercial marine customers, although most of its commercial products and services were sold to Lloyd's Register in December 2020.

• 2021

  Brunswick Corporation acquires NavicoM&A

  Background

  Navico was an established global marine-electronics group with brands spanning fishing, sailing, recreational boating, commercial navigation and cartography.

  Action taken

  Brunswick Corporation acquired Navico.

  Aftermath

  Navico became part of Brunswick's marine portfolio, bringing its brands and technology capabilities under Brunswick ownership.

  Source

• 2020

  Divest most C-MAP commercial products and servicesM&A

  Background

  Navico reorganized the C-MAP portfolio after several years of ownership.

  Action taken

  Most C-MAP products and services aimed at the commercial marine sector were sold to Lloyd's Register.

  Aftermath

  C-MAP remained relevant to recreational cartography while its principal commercial offerings moved to Lloyd's Register.

  Source

• 2017

  Acquire C-MAPM&A

  Background

  Navico sought to strengthen its digital mapping and cartography capabilities across recreational and commercial marine markets.

  Action taken

  Navico acquired C-MAP, a provider of marine cartography and digital mapping services.

  Aftermath

  C-MAP added digital charts and mapping services for anglers, sailors, powerboat users and commercial marine customers.

  Source

• 2016

  Expand Ensenada manufacturing capacityStrategy

  Background

  Navico expanded production capacity in support of its international manufacturing network.

  Action taken

  The company expanded its Ensenada, Mexico, manufacturing plant by approximately 50,000 square feet.

  Aftermath

  The expansion increased the physical capacity of one of Navico's manufacturing sites.

  Source

• 2007

  Acquire Brunswick New Technologies marine electronicsM&A

  Background

  Navico aimed to expand its recreational and commercial marine-electronics capabilities after its formation.

  Action taken

  Navico acquired the marine electronics business of Brunswick New Technologies.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition enlarged the group's portfolio and contributed to the Simrad Professional commercial offering.

  Source

• 2006

  Combine Simrad Yachting and Lowrance ElectronicsM&A

  Background

  The common owners of Simrad Yachting and Lowrance Electronics sought to combine complementary marine-navigation, communications, sonar and fishing-electronics capabilities.

  Action taken

  Altor Equity Partners merged the two businesses and established Navico.

  Aftermath

  The transaction created a broader marine-electronics group spanning recreational navigation, sailing, fishing and related technologies.

  Source

• 2021

  Brunswick Corporation acquires Navico[1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Brunswick Corporation acquired Navico, adding its marine electronics brands and technologies to Brunswick's broader marine business.

• 2020

  C-MAP commercial products transferred to Lloyd's Register[1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Most of C-MAP's products and services for the commercial marine sector were sold to Lloyd's Register.

• 2019

  Knut Frostad appointed Navico president and CEO[1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Knut Frostad was appointed to lead Navico as president and chief executive officer.

• 2017

  Navico acquires C-MAP[1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  The acquisition added a global digital-cartography and marine mapping business serving leisure boaters and commercial marine users.

• 2016

  Navico changes ownership in agreement involving Goldman Sachs and Altor Fund IV[1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division and Altor Fund IV agreed to acquire Navico Holding and Digital Marine Solutions from Altor 2003 Fund.

• 2016

  Navico expands its Ensenada manufacturing plant[1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Mexico facility was expanded by approximately 50,000 square feet to support the group's manufacturing operations.

• 2007

  Navico acquires Brunswick New Technologies marine electronics business[1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  The acquisition expanded Navico's recreational and commercial marine electronics activities and helped make it a major global supplier to recreational boats.

• 2006

  Altor combines Simrad Yachting and Lowrance Electronics to create Navico[1]Navicoen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  The combination created a marine electronics group with complementary strengths in recreational sonar, fish finding, navigation and marine communications.

1. 1Navicoen.wikipedia.org