Digital Barriers plc completes acquisition of COE

COE Group plc, the advanced video surveillance specialist, has been acquired by Digital Barriers plc. This is the third acquisition for Digital Barriers this year and is the next step in its strategy to build a leading mid-market business in the homeland security and defence sectors. For Digital Barriers, the acquisition of COE will bring world-class expertise and innovative technologies in the transmission and management of video over IP, fibre and hybrid video networks.

Digital Barriers, founded by the leadership team behind Detica Group, will provide COE with access to a deep heritage in national security and the backing of a business with a market capitalisation of approximately £40m and net assets in excess of £20m.

Ian Jefferson, CEO of COE comments, "We bring more than 20 years of heritage in video surveillance, helping to secure high-profile sites around the world. I see great potential to embed our expertise and technologies in an organisation that is able to address the most demanding of security requirements and has ambitions to build both its scale and reach."

COE has successfully delivered its advanced surveillance solutions into over 10,000 sites worldwide, including installations for Seoul's Metropolitan Subway, UK Highways Agency, Port of Singapore, London Heathrow Airport and the BBC. The extensive client base that COE brings aligns closely with the Digital Barriers focus on protecting complex, high-value targets - encompassing government, transport, energy, utilities and other high-profile assets and locations. It also resonates strongly with the Digital Barriers philosophy that technology innovation - combined with a heritage and expertise in countering serious and organised threats - can achieve a more integrated and proactive approach to securing potential targets.

Tom Black, Executive Chairman of Digital Barriers plc comments, "This is an exciting acquisition for Digital Barriers, significantly enhancing our capabilities in complex surveillance and extending our reach into a number of international markets and sectors."

COE will be an important component of Digital Barriers' strategic objective to deploy focused, proportionate and cost-effective security solutions that combine innovative new technology with expert capabilities.

For more information about Digital Barriers, visit digitalbarriers.com or contact Zak Doffman on 0207 940 4740 and for further information about COE, visit COE.co.uk or contact Ian Jefferson on 0113 230 8800.

About COE

COE is a world leader in design and manufacture of IP, fibre & hybrid video network equipment.  We craft innovative products which enable our clients to integrate unique features and maximise performance of video network projects. A key strength of our range is scalability with provisions for projects of any size, from small installations to 8000+ camera infrastructures. COE also prides itself on exceptional video quality, integrated fail-safe features and the potential for extensive third party integration. The company has over 10,000 installations worldwide across three main sectors - traffic & transport, heavy industrial and urban surveillance.

COE products unlock the potential of new and existing video networks by providing industry beating video transmission quality (10bit), enabling IP and Ethernet over fibre-optics, and much more.

Reference projects

London Congestion Charge network, underground and high-speed rail systems worldwide, including the UK, Singapore, France, Spain, Germany, Hong Kong and Delhi; airports across Germany, Hong Kong and SE Asia, and road systems worldwide. City-centre systems include over 35 UK towns and cities, while industrial complexes include the South Parrs gas field in the Middle East. Seaport projects including The Port of Singapore (largest Container Port in the World) & Gunsan Port, South Korea

COE works closely with selected systems integrators, helping them to deliver the most competitive overall solutions for end-users.  The company provides support through the entire lifecycle including design, supply, on-site test, commissioning and long-term maintenance.

For more information or further details on specific projects, please visit www.coe.co.uk  or email: marketing@coe.co.uk  

About Digital Barriers

The most significant threat to our security comes not from state-to-state conflict, but from international and domestic terrorism. Digital Barriers aims to help our clients assure public safety and national resilience through focused, proportionate and effective protection of high-profile targets, crowded spaces and the critical national infrastructure. With a growing portfolio of world-class security technologies and expertise from both operational and technical domains, Digital Barriers brings

innovation and real-world pragmatism to our end-customers and integration partners. Founded by the leadership team behind Detica Group, Digital Barriers is growing rapidly towards its aim of becoming a mid-market specialist for the homeland security sector.

For more information on Digital Barriers, please visit www.digitalbarriers.com