Berliner/UniTek merger crosses wireless, wireline, cable and satellite

Berliner Communications Inc. is merging with UniTek USA L.L.C. to expand its reach into the wireline, broadband cable and satellite TV industries. UniTek provides engineering, construction management and installation fulfillment services to those sectors, which complements Berliner’s installation, construction and site-acquisition business in the wireless space.
The merged company, UniTek Global Services Inc., is a $400 million-plus revenue business that can deliver on all of a service provider’s network demands, said Rich Berliner, chairman and CEO of Berliner Communications, in an interview with RCR Wireless News. “We’re widening the edges to make sure we can do all of the the things a telecom company needs its service providers to do.”
Berliner has changed its name to UniTek Global Services Inc. and within the next
six months expects to change its stock ticker symbol, although the wireless unit will keep the name BCI Communications Inc.
UniTek has strong central-office and back-office operations that will bring added value to BCI, Berliner said. The company has strong relationships with DirecTV, top cable operators and telecom carriers, said Peter Giacalone, chairman of UniTek Global Services.
The combined company counts a workforce of more than 5,400 and 101 offices in the United States and Canada.
“As the largest stockholder of Berliner, I believe this combination is an important step in bringing real value to all of Berliner’s stockholders,” Berliner said in a prepared statement. “As UniTek Global Services, we will be uniquely positioned to take advantage of numerous opportunities we see as wired and wireless infrastructures converge in the United States and Canada. Together, we will be able to offer a comprehensive suite of service solutions to our clients and their customers. We look forward to the opportunity to build on our long history in the wireless industry and provide additional services to our customers with this combined entity. BCI Communications Inc. will continue as the wireless division of the company, and we will maintain our well‐known brand identity and reputation for outstanding customer service.”
Berliner will remain CEO of BCI and will remain a board member of UniTek Global Services; C. Scott Hisey, who founded UniTek USA, will become CEO of UniTek Global Services. Giacalone, president of UniTek USA, has been appointed chairman of the merged company.