Motorola Solutions cites LMR optimism, expected extension of Airwave contract for at least five years

Because an Airwave extension has not been finalized, the deal is not included in Motorola Solutions’ backlog projections, according to company officials. Separate from the potential Airwave extension, Motorola Solutions is encouraged by development in the land-mobile-radio market, according to Brown.

“Our LMR business continues to perform exceptionally well,” Brown said. “We grew revenue in every region. We grew EPS by 55%, and we ended the quarter with record backlog.

 “I’m particularly pleased with our record backlog position, which further reinforces my confidence in raising our full-year guidance.”

Motorola Solutions CFO Gino Bonanotte cited first-quarter contract wins in Maryland, Indiana and Miami-Dade County. Bonanotte also noted that Motorola Solutions was selected to build a new statewide P25 system for the state of Florida.

“This multi-year award [for the state of Florida], which is not yet reflected in our backlog, is another proof point of the longevity of land mobile radio,” Bonanotte said during the conference call.

Indeed, Brown said that “overall demand is strong.” But the highlight of Motorola Solutions’ first-quarter performance was what Brown described as “the largest shipment we’ve ever had in the history of the company” that was “four times larger than the next-largest shipment.”

Jack Molloy, Motorola Solutions’ executive vice president for worldwide sales and services, confirmed that the massive shipment was a device sale worth $60 million.

Motorola Solutions officials also expressed optimism about the potential to increase sales at Avigilon, the video-surveillance and video-analytics company that Motorola Solutions acquired for about $1 billion in cash. Avigilon traditionally has served the enterprise market, while Motorola Solutions hopes to introduce the video-solutions portfolio to the federal and government sectors.