As Orbcomm Blazes Trail, Rivals Are Close Behind

A year ago, a half-dozen companies were contending in the race to develop commercially viable untethered trailer-tracking systems. Today, one company -- Orbcomm Global -- has clearly emerged as the one to beat.

With its network of low-earth-orbiting satellites providing inexpensive communications links and wide area coverage, Orbcomm has taken the lead in providing trailer tracking to the trucking industry through its Vantage Tracking Solutions business unit, and Arinc of Annapolis, Md., an Orbcomm value-added reseller.

Vantage solidified its market position in March by merging with GemTrac, an affiliate of Orbcomm's parent, Orbital Sciences Corp. GemTrac offered both satellite- and terrestrial-based tracking systems and already has devices installed on an estimated 11,000 to 12,000 vehicles.

In addition, Vantage established partnerships with two potential competitors.

Qualcomm Inc., San Diego, which had developed a product called TrailerTracs to complement its OmniTracs two-way in-cab communications system, agreed in April to offer the Vantage satellite-based trailer-tracking system.

In May, Transport International Pool, Devon, Pa., a major trailer lessor, also agreed to market the Vantage product. TIP is owned by GE Capital Co., which abandoned plans for its own trailer-tracking business under the name GE Logisticom.

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