Dorset: Biotrack sold to Canadian company

A Dorset firm is set to become part of the world’s largest radio-tracking business after its acquisition by a Canadian company.

Biotrack, which manufactures radio-tracking equipment primarily for wildlife research, has been sold to Ontario-based Lotek Wireless for an undisclosed sum.

The Wareham company was founded 27 years ago by Bridget Kenward, Managing Director, and her husband, Dr Robert Kenward.

It now employs 20 people in Purbeck and exports about two thirds of its products worldwide.

The radio tags, which can weigh as little as 0.3g, have been used to track more than 1,000 different species from fish, reptiles and mammals through to birds and deer in 110 countries.

Biotrack’s new owner, Lotek, is a world leader in the design and manufacture of fish and wildlife monitoring systems.

Its radio, acoustic, archival and satellite equipment allow researchers to track animals, birds and fish of almost any size in any environment.

Lotek is currently involved in fish and wildlife research in more than 35 countries, on every continent and in every ocean.

Biotrack’s sale was conducted by the corporate finance team at Princecroft Willis, chartered accountants and business advisers, led by partner Mark Aitchison. The legal aspects were handled by Darrell Stuart-Smith of Humphries Kirk’s Poole office.

Bridget Kenward said Biotrack could now look forward to a secure future as part of Lotek.

“I’m excited that a centre of excellence for radio-tracking is secured in Wareham with ownership in Canada and a European connection,” she said.

Aitchison described Biotrack as an "excellent business".

“We were delighted to play our part in ensuring that such an innovative and market-leading company continues to thrive from its Dorset base,” he added.