CHARLOTTE, NC - Goodrich Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Sensors Unlimited (Princeton, NJ) for $60 million in cash. Under the terms of the agreement, Goodrich will acquire a business that has pioneered the design and production of Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) technology. Sensors Unlimited develops and manufactures in Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs) imaging technology and has in-house manufacturing capabilities for advanced infrared cameras and short wave infrared and near infrared focal plane arrays. With a 39,000-square-foot facility in Princeton and more than 50 employees in manufacturing and engineering roles, the new business will become part of Goodrich’s existing Optical and Space Systems division.
According to Marshall Larsen, chairman, president, and CEO of Goodrich, this is a strategically important acquisition for Goodrich’s surveillance and reconnaissance business. Sensors Unlimited products have a presence in a variety of markets, including military; security; industrial; commercial; and telecommunications. Applications range from covert surveillance, night vision and health and safety protocols to historical art inspection. These products align with existing Goodrich positions in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems and are expected to create opportunities for additional growth in new and emerging markets.
“We continue to build on our growing presence in the defense and homeland security markets,” Larsen said. “Short wave infrared sensors and near infrared imaging systems, created with indium gallium arsenide technology, will significantly strengthen our position in the high- growth markets for surveillance and reconnaissance systems as well as homeland security applications. Our laser perimeter awareness systems that support emerging homeland security needs may also incorporate short wave infrared technology to enhance their capabilities; thereby expanding the already broad portfolio of solutions we can offer to the marketplace.”
The deal, which has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2005 and is subject to approval by U.S. regulatory agencies. 2005 sales for the new business are expected to be $19 million.
Founded in 1991 by Dr. Gregory Olsen as a research and development company, Sensors Unlimited was acquired by Finisar Corporation (Sunnyvale, CA) in 2000 but went through a management buyback in late 2002 to once again become a privately held company serving three major application areas: industrial, analytic, and scientific near infrared spectroscopy, machine vision and process control, and SWIR imaging and surveillance. Finisar said it will recognize a gain of approximately $12 million on the sale of its minority interest in Sensors Unlimited upon close of the deal.