Garmin Acquires Navionics

Garmin Ltd. has acquired Viareggio, Italy-based electronic chart manufacturer Navionics.

“Navionics has long been known as a leading supplier of highly accurate navigational charts and mobile applications for boaters,” said Cliff Pemble, Garmin president and CEO. “By combining Navionics’ content with Garmin’s BlueChart and LakeVü content, we will be able to offer the best available breadth and depth of coverage to our marine customers. Going forward, we plan to retain the Navionics brand and will continue to support Navionics’ existing customers.”

The acquisition will provide Garmin with an enhanced in-house cartography capability as the company develops its next-generation GPS plotters in response to new units already released by Navico and Raymarine. In addition to its popular boating app for cell phones, tablets and other portable devices, Navionics has developed an extensive repository of nautical charts for oceans, rivers, and lakes. Many of these charts have been developed with Navionics’ proprietary surveys, done both in the field and with remote sensing such as satellite imagery and airborne laser scanners.

“Since our founding, Navionics has been passionate about creating products that enhance the boating experience,” said Giuseppe Carnevali, Navionics founder and president. “Garmin shares our passion for serving the marine industry, and is an ideal company to carry the strong brand and reputation of Navionics into the future.”

Navionics is headquartered in Viareggio, Italy, and employs more than 350 employees globally, who will be retained.