FW Telematics appoints Jeff Douglas as CEO and Secures
Additional Funding
FW Telematics is a leading Machine-to-Machine (M2M) service
provider focused on extending the ‘Internet of Things’ into the
Maritime, Oil & Gas and Mining sectors, via ruggedized Iridium
Satellite solutions, GSM and Wi-Fi communications, which are coupled
with a deep technology Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) backend, that
can be easily customized for any client’s monitoring, control and
data management needs. Customers have included five Fortune 500
companies.
Jeff Douglas was previously Chief Technology Officer of Pole Star
Space Applications Limited, of London, UK, and CEO of Absolute
Software Inc. of Boston, acquired by Polestar in 2011. His
appointment follows the retirement of CEO David Blackburn, who will
continue to serve as a non-executive director on the board.
Concurrent with Jeff’s appointment, select existing investors have
provided further capital for expansion.
FW Chairman, Mark Donohue, commented, “Jeff was a leading pioneer in
telematics 20 years ago, and has successfully implemented solutions
for the most demanding of global customers. His proven ability to
rapidly scale other telematics enterprises, combined with his
encyclopedic market insights, will propel FW to new heights.”
Jeff is partnered with Mark O’Brien, Chief Operating Officer, who
has overseen FW Telematics since its founding in 2008. Mark brings
35 years of experience in the sensors, gauges, telematics and
controls business, with his specialization in C&I and marine.
Mark oversees sales and FW’s talented engineering team, which has
designed unique solutions using Iridium Satellite, GPS, GSM, CAN,
ZigBee and RFID technology, among others.
FW’s products include Safety & Protection Services for Lone
Workers, Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) licensed in 50 countries,
and a variety of niche industrial solutions, such as back-up energy
Genset monitoring, and asset tracking & optimization in
industrial environments.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Douglas said, “This is an ideal
time to be joining the team at FW and a great opportunity to lead
such a well positioned firm in the high-growth M2M market, as we
ride the coming tidal wave in Big Data management and the Internet
of Things.”
About FW Telematics:
Established in 2008, FWI provides a suite of applications to provide
real-time information about the location and status of remote assets
— such as fishing vessels, workboats, mining equipment and trains.
With customers in over 50 countries, including some of the biggest
names in the industry, FW seeks to become the leading provider of
remote asset management and lone worker safety solutions.