BTG Positioning Systems acquires GPR
BTG Positioning Systems has completed the strategic acquisition of the U.S. technology company GPR, Inc. BTG is the global market leader in precision positioning for autonomous vehicles and cranes in container terminals and is a portfolio company of Bolster Investment Partners since 2021. Through this acquisition, BTG gains access to unique radar-based positioning technology, expected to mark a breakthrough in positioning solutions. This enables BTG to expand its product portfolio and enter new end markets.
GPR’s radar technology enhances technological leadership and opens new markets
GPR, based in Boston, develops advanced software powered by patented ground radar technology, which detects underground features and leverages them for highly accurate positioning. This technology performs reliably in environments where conventional positioning systems fall short.
The acquisition follows the close collaboration that began in 2023 and represents an important strategic milestone for BTG. By integrating GPR’s innovative technology, BTG strengthens its unique position as a technological leader in precision positioning. GPR’s radar technology complements BTG’s existing transponder and infrared solutions, enabling the development of new applications and, in time, entry into new markets such as mining and logistics.
With GPR’s integration, BTG broadens its technological foundation and innovative capacity. The company aims to launch the new solutions under the name Ground Sensing Localization (GSL) in 2026. GPR will benefit from BTG’s commercial and operational strength as well as its decades of expertise in container terminal positioning.
Bolster supports international acquisitions
The acquisition of GPR marks a logical next step in BTG’s strategy to accelerate technological advancement. With the support of Bolster Investment Partners, BTG continues to invest in growth and innovation, focusing on product development and applications for new end markets.
Diek Neurdenburg, CEO at BTG: “Our collaboration with GPR had already set BTG on a new technological trajectory. With this acquisition, we now have all the technology and expertise in-house to further develop this groundbreaking innovation. With the addition of our new colleagues, BTG’s development capacity has doubled and significantly strengthened. This opens the door to new industries and markets for BTG. For me, this is exactly what we’ve been looking for to enable the next phase of growth and development for BTG — a dream come true.”
Thomas Cashman, CTO of GPR: “The union of the BTG and GPR presents an opportunity to blend the strong, complementary engineering talent of each organization with the exceptional operations and commercial teams at BTG. BTG’s proven track record of delivering high quality solutions in the seaport automation industry will be the perfect complement to GPR’s ability to deliver innovative engineering solutions. The two teams already have an extremely productive working relationship and I’m confident this merge will strengthen the relationship further which will expedite the deployment of the technology into the Seaport market and beyond. I’m excited to be part of the new team and confident the sum of both organizations will be greater than its parts.”
Joost Bakhuizen, Managing Partner of Bolster Investment Partners: “We are proud to support BTG Positioning Systems in this strategic acquisition, which further strengthens its technological edge. Together with GPR, we are taking an important step toward the next generation of positioning solutions and expanding into new end markets worldwide.”
For more information, please contact:
BTG
Diek Neurdenburg: +31 186 649 780
Bolster Investment Partners
Joost Bakhuizen: +31 20 226 3088
About BTG Positioning Systems
BTG is a global market leader operating in 40 countries, specializing in positioning and measurement systems for cranes and vehicles in (semi-)automated container terminals. With over 30 years of experience, BTG delivers high-precision automation solutions for customers worldwide, particularly in seaport environments. The company differentiates itself through proprietary transponder and infrared technology, enabling unmatched accuracy in positioning. BTG controls the entire value chain – from in-house hardware and software development to assembly, sales, and installation. Following the acquisition, BTG employs around 50 people, half of whom are active in R&D. In addition to its headquarters in Oud-Beijerland and GPR’s U.S. operations, BTG also has a production facility in Spain and a sales office in China.
About GPR, Inc.
GPR is a U.S.-based technology company specializing in patented radar-based localization technologies. Founded in 2016 in Boston as WaveSense by Tarik Bolat and Byron Stanley, the company is led technically by CTO Thomas Cashman, who will continue to oversee development activities. The positioning technology is already being applied in the mining sector and, in collaboration with BTG, is undergoing significant further development. Please also refer to this press release.