Belden buys Trapeze for US$133 million

Global cable provider, Belden, has bought prominent WLAN solution provider, Trapeze Networks for US$133 million in cash, making Belden the world’s largest unified wired and wireless solutions provider and expanding market access for Trapeze’s Smart Mobile solutions.

The move will provide an entirely new set of products to Belden’s physical-layer cable and connectivity solutions, helping it address the increasing mobility needs of customers worldwide.

“Belden’s strategic vision is to provide the best signal transmission solutions to our customers regardless of technology,” said John Stroup, president and CEO of Belden.

Trapeze is a privately held company based in Pleasanton, California, with 2007 revenues of US$56 million. It sells into healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail, government and other enterprise verticals through OEMs and distribution channels.

Jim Vogt, president and chief executive of Trapeze, said that during the past six years, enterprise customers around the world have invested in Trapeze Smart Mobile because of its constant connectivity and reliable mobility.

“The superior performance and cost benefits of our wireless LAN products have fuelled our global growth through distribution and through our OEM relationships with 3Com, Enterasys, Nortel and other large networking companies,” Vogt commented. “Our customers can now be assured of continued product innovation and new capabilities from the combined resources of Belden and Trapeze.”

The deal between Belden and Trapeze is expected to close in July pending regulatory approval.