Irish company Sigma Wireless Communications has sold its portable antenna division to US multinational Centurion International for a sum believed to be around $5 million (#4.7 million).

Sigma is expected to receive around $3 million in cash, while the remaining $2 million will be converted to a minority shareholding in Centurion stock.

Mr Tony Boyle, Sigma managing director, says the move fits in well with the firm's strategy to concentrate on its more profitable tetra and in-building antennae manufacturing businesses.

Recently, Sigma wound down its portable antenna manufacturing business in Dublin, and moved the activities to Aylesbury in the UK where Centurion's operations are based.

Sigma replaced this business in Dublin with the manufacture of inbuilding antennae, an activity previously conducted in the UK. Mr Boyle says this part of Sigma's business is scheduled for rapid growth, particularly since it has won a new contract to install 1,500 in-building antennae in the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur - the world's tallest twin towers standing at 452 metres.

Centurion International, a leading global developer, designer and manufacturer of antennae and power products for wireless communications, is expanding into European markets.