How we helped

Kelvin Hughes (now Hensoldt UK) is a world leader in the development, manufacture and supply of maritime navigation and surveillance radar systems.

Sales & marketing:

  • During ECI’s investment, Kelvin Hughes focussed its operations on surveillance systems (solid-state radars used by navies and coastal surveillance systems) and Security (land-based radar systems primarily for border security and critical infrastructure protection). Proprietary innovation in signal processing technology has enabled Kelvin Hughes to continuously evolve its radar products and their applications.
  • Kelvin Hughes successfully expanded its product portfolio and accelerated revenue growth. The business delivered a 2013-16 revenue CAGR of c. 20% in Surveillance Systems and Security.
  • The business also launched SharpEye™ (the world’s first affordable and commercially available solid-state radar, which is used by more than 25 of the world’s navies) and during our investment won the contract to supply the Royal Navy with modern solid-state radar equipment for much of its fleet.
  • During our investment, the business established a new state-of-the-art design and manufacturing facility in Enfield, North London, spanning more than 69,000 square feet.

In 2016 ECI sold ChartCo, a leading supplier of digital navigation and voyage compliance services to the marine industry, to Equistone for £55 million. In 2017, ECI sold the Kelvin Hughes business to HENSOLDT (formerly Airbus Defence Electronics), generating a 3.3x total return on our investment.