Telematics provider, Trimble MRM, has expanded its reach across Europe after it acquired Belgium-based Punch Telematix.

Trimble paid £12 million for the deal, which gives it a major foothold in the European HGV vehicle tracking industry.

The new company will now offer a full telematics solution to both light commercial vehicle (LCV) and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) market across Europe.

"With Punch Telematix's focus on transportation management solutions, the acquisition expands Trimble's MRM portfolio of products and services," says Andrew Yeoman, managing director of Trimble's Mobile Resource Management Division in Europe.

"It fits well with our strategy of offering a complete range of solutions for a variety of commercial vehicles—from passenger car and service van fleets to light, heavy and semi trucks."

The market for Punch Telematix solutions is growing across Europe. Trimble's global presence as a leading provider of positioning solutions and applications for mobile resource management is expected to enhance this growth.

"The acquisition offers good prospects for the future of the business as our solutions are highly complementary." says Michel Van Maercke, CEO of Punch Telematix.