Kelvin Hughes' product range includes radar sensors and display technology, Voyage Data Recorders, Electronic Chart systems and highly advanced Integrated Bridge Systems. In addition, through ChartCo, it provides a means of providing bulk data to ships via satellite. Kelvin Hughes is also the world’s largest supplier of nautical charts and publications for commercial and leisure use.

Following the transaction, Kelvin Hughes will increase its investment in technological innovations and constant product development to further strengthen its position. ECI is backing the existing management team led by Russell Gould, MD and the growth of the business will be driven through both organic expansion and acquisitions.

Russell Gould said, 'With ECI’s support we are extremely well placed to build on our current position as a world leading producer of navigation technology. The sector we operate in is growing due to the increasingly legislative environment affecting the marine industry, and we feel that we are ready and equipped to capture the market opportunity.'

Kelvin Hughes is a long established UK company which can trace its history back to 1750. The business originally provided clocks to mariners from premises in Fenchurch Street, London. The 'Kelvin' in its name refers to Lord Kelvin, the famous 19th century Scottish physicist who invented the Kelvin scale of temperature and who was heavily involved in the laying of the first transatlantic telegraph cable.