By merging the Split PCE, OiV expands its activities into maritime electronics

The state company Odašiljači i veze (OiV) is expanding its activities into maritime electronics and communications based on the recent merger with the state company Pomorski centar za elektroniku (PCE) from Split, OiV reported on Wednesday.

This merger was officially recorded on April 8, 2024, by the Commercial Court in Zagreb, thus formally completing the process. OiV states that this is the expected outcome of a long-term merger process, which was verified by the management boards of OiV and PCE with their signatures on the contract on March 26, 2024. The PCE company thus ceases to exist and becomes part of a unified company that will continue to operate in the market under the name OiV, now providing additional services in the fields of maritime electronics and communications.

– The unification of these two complementary companies, fully owned by the Republic of Croatia, whose core activities are closely related to electronic communications, will enable the creation of new synergies and eliminate a greater number of cost categories, ensuring further diversification of the service portfolio and increased revenue. OiV will thus strengthen its regional presence in the south of the country – stated Mate Botica, CEO of OiV.

OiV also expects that the “initially detected benefits from this merger will spill over, intertwine, and multiply in the coming years,” and all specific financial goals will be set and supplemented with those of public policy and the Croatian government regarding Croatia’s accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

– This merger is also expected to increase the efficiency of the unified company and improve the utilization of state assets and the overall portfolio of state-owned companies. The merger of PCE with OiV represents a significant contribution to fulfilling the recommendations and guidelines of the OECD, while simultaneously creating concrete benefits and new perspectives for employees of both companies, as well as their owner, the Republic of Croatia – emphasize OiV.

In order to achieve optimal utilization of all resources as soon as possible after the merger, numerous integration activities will follow in the upcoming period, led by Mihael Jančić, a long-time expert and manager at OiV, according to the company.

OiV is of strategic interest to the Republic of Croatia, among the leading providers of services in electronic communications, terrestrial and satellite broadcasting of radio and television content, and is also the bearer of the construction of the national strategic communication infrastructure, while for the Split PCE, OiV states that the company was established during the Homeland War and played an important role in building and equipping the Croatian Navy with communication systems.

By signing the merger agreement, OiV formally and actually assumes the obligations and guarantees of PCE, including the guarantee of maintaining and enhancing the specific capabilities of the Croatian Navy.

In addition to research and development and the development of crypto devices, the core activity of PCE was the integration of weapon systems with radar systems and communication ship equipment, as well as the development of dual-use technology, both military and civilian.

With PCE, OiV also increases its revenue potential, strengthens human resources and asset strength, expands the market, acquires new customers, increases the potential for new investments, and creates concrete synergy effects and savings in operations, while on the other hand, PCE employees achieve greater opportunities for professional advancement, additional education and retraining, as well as increased benefits and rights while preserving highly specialized knowledge.