“We see significant potential in the stronger entity created by the two companies”

MilDef significantly expands its presence in Central Europe with a transformative acquisition of roda computer GmbH

MilDef Group AB has on November 13, through its wholly owned subsidiary MilDef Germany Holding GmbH, entered into a binding agreement to acquire all shares in roda computer GmbH, a well-established provider of military IT solutions with a strong market presence in Central Europe, primarily in the DACH region. Through the acquisition, MilDef becomes one of Europe’s leading players in tactical and rugged IT for the defence and security sector. The acquisition provides MilDef with access to key market channels, long-standing customer relationships, and existing framework agreements in attractive and growing markets in Central Europe.

Daniel Ljunggren, CEO and President MilDef Group comments on the acquisition.

“We are very pleased to welcome roda to MilDef. The acquisition of roda accelerates MilDef’s expansion in the strategically important defense market in Europe. Roda’s long-standing customer relationships, existing framework agreements and good reputation in the Central European market create a good opportunity for upselling MilDef’s existing offering. The acquisition strengthens MilDef’s role as a significant player in the European effort to increase capabilities in defense and security. We look forward to taking the next step in MilDef’s growth journey once the transaction is finalized”, says Daniel Ljunggren, President and CEO MilDef Group.

Martin Bertsch, CEO and Founder roda computer GmbH, comments the acquisition.

“The main criteria when finding a new owner of roda was to find a partner that truly wanted to continue the successful growth journey of our company. For the management of roda this was extremely important, and we are convinced that MilDef is the perfect fit for continued development. Now two of Europe’s leading defense technology companies will join forces to present a very attractive and trustworthy offering”, says Martin Bertsch, CEO and Founder roda computer GmbH.  

Below we present a Q&A with answers from the MilDef Corporate management regarding this exciting news.

Q&A

Why does MilDef acquire roda?                                                                                                  
Because it makes a great deal of sense. The acquisition accelerates MilDef’s strategy for profitable growth, strengthens MilDef’s European footprint, broadens the customer base and increases market presence in priority markets such as Germany. Furthermore, it strengthens our customer offering by capabilities and complementary products. 

MilDef and roda together becomes a truly pan European solution provider within tactical IT and the acquisition opens European markets with a particular focus on DACH. Going forward MilDef and roda benefits even stronger from synergies in future cross-selling and adds an experienced team to MilDef as well as roda.

What is roda computer GmbH?           
For many of MilDefs staff, roda is a well-known and close partner. Roda is one of MilDef’s most long-standing partners, going back to the very start of MilDef in 1997. Back then the founders of MilDef, roda and MilDef Crete in Taiwan found each other and forged a strong partnership between the three companies.

Ever since, roda and MilDef has collaborated on the European market, and resold Crete’s, MilDef’s and other brands on each company “home market”. Like MilDef, roda is a reseller of laptops and tablets from MilDef Crete. Roda has also served as a reseller of MilDefs 19”/2 and special electronics products in central Europe, meaning primarily Germany, France, Poland, Italy and Benelux. Likewise, MilDef has resold roda’s products in for instance the display and power segment to the Nordic markets.

Together MilDef and roda have frequently joined forced in customer projects, trade shows, and business development. Over the past years MilDef and roda have collaborated closer and more successful than ever before, on for instance large German projects in ground base air defense domains.

Part of roda is also Westek Technology, a UK provider that design, develop and manufacture high performance rugged computer hardware and peripherals.

Now we fully join forces for combined expansion on the pan European market.

What markets and customers do roda work with?   
Roda acts primarily in the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) but is also a European company serving nations such as UK, Poland, France, Italy and the Benelux. Roda provides rugged, on demand IT-systems to governmental authorities such as national defense agencies and procurement organizations as well as defense-related companies. One of rodas most prestigious end customer is the German Bundeswehr.

Why is MilDef and roda a good cultural fit?
History matters. We have collaborated for almost 30 years and worked in symbiosis with each other in many customer projects. We are in the exact same domain, defense and security, where strong relations, customer focus and reliability are a must to stay top of mind in both Business to Government and Business to Business. Also, we come from a growth oriented, “family company” atmosphere where opportunities are endless and people important.

Now we get the privilege to learn from each other’s strengths and experience to make the impact of the MilDef/roda universe much stronger.

How shall MilDef and roda coexist?
Roda will be a natural part of MilDef group of companies and continue to operate on their home market. We see future opportunities and synergies within product and business development, sales and cross-selling. 

How will product development and production be divided in the future? 
We see future opportunities and synergies within product development and production to together strengthen our position and capacity. This will be carefully evaluated and discussed when productive and fruitful openings arise.

What will the organization look like going forward? 
Pending closing of acquisition, roda’s operations will be headed by Frank Scholz and incorporated in the MilDef Business Area Europe and North America, led by Fredrik Jacobsson, Vice President Europe and North America. 

Westek Technology will continue to be a part of roda.

How will I be affected as an employee?
For all employee’s (roda and MilDef) business operations will continue as of today.

Will roda and Westek live on as its own brand?                                                                                         
Roda and Westek will keep their names and brand until further notice.

What happens next?                                                                                                                                          
After signing of the share purchase agreement, a process will follow where approvals from relevant governmental authorities will take place. These are approvals that are required for MilDef to fully complete the acquisition of roda. The ambition for closing is in Q1 2025.