Bridgend-based dartboard and darts manufacturer Nodor has expanded with the acquisition of darts technology venture Autodarts.
Nodor, whose brands include Wimmau dartboards and Red Dragon tungsten darts, said the acquisition formed a key pillar of its global growth strategy.
German venture Autodarts offers an automatic darts scoring tech platform. It uses cameras mounted above or around the board to detect where darts land and instantly calculate scores. It already has more than 85,000 players worldwide using the system to train, compete online and play socially.
The value of the acquisition has not been disclosed, but is the first since Nodor became majority-owned by private equity firm Inflexion last year. The value of that deal was also not disclosed, but is understood to have been in the region of £300m with Cardiff corporate advisory firm acting for Nodor.
Nodor employs more than 1,000 across three continents and exports to more than 100 countries. Its Bridgend headquarters employs 100 with its factory in Kenya. It also has a presence in the US. The company is well placed to exploit the growing popularity of the game of darts and digitisation with players now able to compete remotely with hi-tech boards and apps.
Vince Bluck, managing director of Nodor, said the acquisition of Autodarts represented a natural evolution for the company. He added: “By combining our world-class equipment with their world-class technology, we are creating a platform that not only supports players at every level, but also redefines how the game is played, practised and enjoyed globally.”
In statement Autodarts said: “This is a huge win for everyone who loves Autodarts. By teaming up with Nodor, we gain access to decades of experience in darts equipment, a massive global following, and partnerships we could only dream of before. Nodor understands our values and believes in what we’ve built, and we couldn’t have asked for a better partner. This partnership is a huge win for everyone who has chosen Autodarts.”
Michael van Gerwen, the three-time world champion and Winmau ambassador, has endorsed Autodarts tech platform. He said “I’ve been playing professional darts for nearly 20 years and this next-generation technology is an absolute game-changer. Online play, training programmes, connecting the darts community across the globe — it will take the sport to the next level.”
Nodor’s Red Dragon darts are used by many leading professional players including Luke Humphries and Welshman Gerwyn Price, while its Winmau dartboards are used exclusively by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and the title sponsor at the PDC World Masters.
