Gooch & Housego has acquired US fibre optic components and sub systems specialist Gould Fiber Optics.
The acquisition gives G&H access to the US aerospace and defence fibre optic market, an area that had previously been largely denied to the company because of International Trade in Arms (ITAR) regulations.
G&H’s larger US sales and business development resources and the combined broader based product portfolio should provide a platform for greater expansion within this sector.
Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Baltimore, MD, USA, Gould Fiber Optics is a supplier of key enabling components into tier 1 US aerospace and defence customers. The Gould product range is complementary to that of G&H. While G&H manufactures undersea fused fibre optic components, together with a strong presence in the life sciences and fibre laser markets, Gould specialises in the supply of polarisation maintaining fibre components to the US defence market.
Mark Webster, G&H CEO, commented: ‘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.’
He added: ‘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.’
