Calian grows in the expanding U.K. defence market

Article Excerpt

With the U.K. looking to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030, Calian is making an acquisition that will position it to win more business there. CALIAN GROUP, $56.41, is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol CGY; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (calian.comcalian.com; Shares o/s: 11.9 million; Market cap: $668.7 million; Divd yield: 2.0%) has now completed the acquisition of U.K.-based Mabway for up to $41 million. This includes $32.4 million on closing. Mabway is a leader in the management of large-scale defence role-playing environments that simulate real-world operational environments and provide technical engineering education for naval and maritime communities. The company has been a prime supplier to the British Army since 2012. Mabway has several offices across the U.K., a workforce of more than 1,000 ex-military and civilian permanent staff and contractors, and services reaching into Europe and the Middle East. The acquisition expands Calian’s existing presence in the U.K. and Europe, bolstering its military training and simulation solutions in the region and presenting more…