Racal Electronics’s Racal Survey Ltd and cellular telephone distributor European Telecom Plc are forming a joint venture called Global Telematics Plc. The new company, 50-50 owned, is developing, marketing and selling vehicle tracking, navigation and information services worldwide. Racal spokesman David Nicholas says the Orchid service will be launched in September and neither party will reveal full details until then. Each is investing 750,000 pounds with an extra borrowing facility of 1.5m pounds. The tracking and communications service is being targeted at large companies in haulage and distribution, and Nicholas says the extent and scope of the new business will far exceed current offerings. Global Telematics based in Racal’s Chessington offices, is headed by managing director Edward Belgeonne, from European Telecom, with finance director David Griffiths from Racal.