Ranger Communications acquires SmarTrunk

SmarTrunk Systems will continue to operate under the same name as a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranger.

Ranger Communications, San Diego, had acquired all of the outstanding common shares of SmarTrunk Systems as of July 30.

SmarTrunk Systems will continue to operate under the same name as a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranger Communications, according to a press release. SmarTrunk’s sales and technical support departments are to move to new offices in Livermore, CA. John Sullivan, vice president of sales, will continue to head up SmarTrunk’s worldwide sales and marketing activities from the Livermore office. Shipping, accounting and administration will be transferred to National City (San Diego), CA. Manufacturing and engineering operations will be transferred to Taipei, Taiwan.

Eliot Terborgh, founder and chief executive of SmarTrunk, will remain with the company as a consultant during the transition period, but then plans to pursue other business interests. Terborgh stated that while he had mixed feelings about leaving SmarTrunk after 22 years, he has a high degree of confidence in Joe Banos, president of Ranger, and felt that the transaction with Ranger was in the best interests of SmarTrunk’s employees, shareholders and customers.

“Ranger is excited about the acquisition of SmarTrunk, which gives us new exposure to the LMR market and broad geographic diversification as a result of SmarTrunk’s strong presence overseas,” said Banos. “It is important to note that SmarTrunk’s entire sales and technical support staff will remain with the company to make this transaction as seamless as possible for SmarTrunk’s customers and employees.”

Founded in 1979 as Selectone, SmarTrunk Systems manufactures radio trunking equipment for VHF and UHF radio systems.

Ranger Communications is a subsidiary of Ranger Electronic Communications of Taiwan. Founded in 1972, Ranger is an OEM of marine, citizens band and amateur radio products and accessories. Ranger has factories in Taiwan, China and Malaysia and employs about 700 people. Ranger’s U.S. operation is headed by Banos, a 30-year veteran in the design and distribution of products for the land mobile industry.