Gooch & Housego (G&H; Ilminster, England) has acquired fiber-optic components and subsystems specialist Gould Fiber Optics (Millersville, MD). The companies say that this acquisition strengthens G&H's position as the world leader in fused fiber-optic technology and provides enhanced access to strategic US aerospace and defense customers.
Founded in 1978, Gould Fiber Optics (GFO) is a supplier of key enabling components into tier 1 US aerospace and defense customers. The Gould product range is highly complementary to that of G&H. Whilst G&H is the leading manufacturer of high reliability undersea fused fiber-optic components, together with a strong presence in the life sciences and fiber laser markets, Gould specializes in the supply of polarization-maintaining fiber-optic components to the US defense market.
This acquisition enables G&H to take another step towards meeting its strategic objective of further diversification in its core markets. GFO brings the technology and routes to market required for G&H to access the US Aerospace and Defence fiber optic market, an area that had previously been largely denied to the Company, due to International Trade in Arms (ITAR) regulations. In turn G&H’s much larger US sales and business development resources and the combined broader based product portfolio should provide the platform for greater expansion within this sector.
Mark Webster, G&H CEO, said, "This acquisition enables us to take another step towards diversifying our business, allows G&H access to previously restricted markets, as well as reducing, still further, the Company’s dependency on what remains a cyclical micro-electronics sector. Gould Fiber Optics is a high quality business, with a long standing tier 1 Aerospace and Defence customer base, complementary technology and a strong financial track record. We are very much looking forward to working with Gould, management, staff and customers."
SOURCE: Gooch & Housego; https://goochandhousego.com/gould-fiber-optics-acquisition
