Pace has become the world’s biggest supplier of set-top boxes to the pay-TV market, according to new data released by IMS Research. The figures show that the Saltaire-based company shipped more product in 2009 than any other set-top box developer.
The data is taken from a forthcoming IMS Research study The World Market for Set-top Boxes and IDTVs that shows Pace to have climbed from third place in 2008 to first in 2009.
According to Rebecca Kurlak, co-author of the study, STB shipments grew 15.2% year-over-year on a global basis from 2008 to 2009. “Pace’s position as the 2009 market share leader can not only be attributed to the company’s December 2007 acquisition of Philips’ STB business, but also due to the company’s continued organic growth. The Philips division, now Pace France, operates as a division that focuses on IP, DTT and linear TV services. This additional facility has allowed Pace’s headquarters in England to remain focused on traditional TV platforms and NDS CAS clients.”
For 2010, IMS Research expects Pace to remain in the top ranking position due to its recent announcements of HD roll outs for Benelux satellite operator M7 Group and Malaysian satellite operator ASTRO, in addition to its large contract agreements with DirecTV, UPC and Viasat.
In March, a separate study by Screen Digest showed Pace sitting in second place, behind Motorola, and ahead of Technicolor (the former Thomson set-top box division).
“This is an incredible achievement for our company. It is testament to the continuous innovation and focus in delivering on our strategy to lead in converged home entertainment,” said Pace CEO Neil Gaydon. “We have worked very hard to build a customer-centric organisation, working closely with our partners and consistently delivering outstanding, innovative products. Our people and culture are the driving force behind our becoming the world’s number one.”
2009 was a record year for Pace. The company further increased its revenues and profitability, expanded its global customer base, moved into new markets, developed new technologies and continued to drive efficiencies across the group. In 2009, Pace built on the successful integration of the Philips set-top box division and with this powerful combination went on to deliver substantial organic growth, taking market share in a growing market.
In 2009 Pace was able to double its revenues to £1,133.4m. Volume shipments of set-top boxes were up 31% to 17.2 million. Growth has continued with the company last week announcing the deployment of the first Freeview HD PVR in the UK market.
