Datong plc has been acquired by Seven Technologies Holdings

June 2013 — Seven Technologies Holdings (Seven), an engineering business specializing in the manufacture of communication applications for operations in inhospitable environments, has acquired the spyware and intelligence solutions leader Datong plc for US$11.4 million.

Headquartered in Leeds, Datong also has offices in the US and Malaysia and a range of security clients spanning over 30 countries. Datong has specialized in providing a range of covert surveillance, tracking and location systems to defense, security and law enforcement agencies worldwide. The company’s products and solutions help police and security agencies.

Seven is the parent company of Northern Ireland-based Seven Technologies Limited (STL), which has been trading since 2005. Last year YFM Equity Partners, a specialist SME fund manager, took a stake in Seven to help SLT’s growth and development.

This transaction creates a company which will be one of the strongest independent players in the sector, with an enhanced capability to develop next-generation solutions for its increasingly global client base. Combining the two businesses creates a larger and stronger group within the specialist intelligence technology sector, which will benefit from additional scale and a wider customer base. It will also provide a stronger platform for further international expansion.

Our role in the transaction

Oaklins Cavendish, based in the UK, advised the seller in this transaction.