ORBCOMM (News - Alert) Inc., a global satellite data communications company focusing on two-way Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications, has completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of StarTrak Systems, LLC from Alanco Technologies, Inc.

Based in Morris Plains, N.J., StarTrak is a provider of tracking, monitoring and control services for the refrigerated transport market.

 “The StarTrak acquisition is an important milestone in the continued evolution of ORBCOMM as an innovative, satellite-based M2M communications services company,” said Marc Eisenberg, CEO of ORBCOMM, in a statement.

“We are excited about the opportunity to grow the StarTrak business and to introduce their market-leading technology to our global distribution channels. We look forward to bringing our hardware and communications expertise to the company and to building next-generation services for our complementary vertical markets,” said Eisenberg.

Officials with ORBCOMM said that David A. Gsell is taking on the role of general manager of the StarTrak business. With over 20 years of experience in transportation technology and communications services, Gsell joined ORBCOMM in 2009 and has served as vice president of business development.

“In addition to welcoming the StarTrak employees to our team, I look forward to the integration of StarTrak into ORBCOMM’s core business and building on the proven success that StarTrak has already established in their primary markets,” said Gsell.

“With ORBCOMM’s assistance, we look forward to improving and growing service quality and extending the value StarTrak brings to customers’ business operations worldwide,” he said.

Last August, TMCnet reported that ORBCOMM announced the renewal of an agreement with Caterpillar Inc.

The world famous manufacturer of heavy engineering products such as mining equipments, gas turbines and natural gas engines has renewed the agreement with ORBCOMM for satellite communication services for Product Link, their heavy equipment telematics solution. The financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Anil Sharma is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Carrie Schmelkin