Tripod Data Systems (TDS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Trimble announced that it will serve as the distributor of Nikon survey products in the U.S., which will include sales, support and service. Trimble and Nikon Corporation previously announced that the companies had formed a joint venture in Japan, Nikon-Trimble Co., Ltd. The joint venture is 50 percent owned by Trimble and 50 percent owned by Nikon.

"TDS was a natural choice to assume the distribution role for the Nikon-Trimble joint venture in the U.S. because 70 percent of existing Nikon survey dealers are also TDS dealers," said Bryn Fosburgh, vice president and general manager of Trimble's Geomatics and Engineering Division. "Trimble, TDS and Nikon are working very closely to ensure that the transition is transparent to customers."

"Nikon customers can expect to continue receiving the same excellent products and service they've always counted on, from the survey dealers they know and trust," said Dave Scribner, TDS president. "In addition, the joint venture will lead to enhanced integration between TDS and Nikon products in the near future. The combination of Nikon's total stations with TDS data collectors and surveying software will give customers easy-to-use, seamless, full-system solutions-both in the field and at the office-for all their surveying needs."

Trimble's Construction Instruments Division will serve as the exclusive distributor of Nikon's construction-related products for contractors.