28 Dec 09. FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced today that it has acquired the stock of Directed Perception, Inc., a leading provider of pan-tilt motion control systems for commercial and military markets, for $20m cash. Directed Perception, based in Burlingame, California, has earned a world-wide reputation as a pioneer and leader in high-performance pan-tilts in security and surveillance, maritime, military, robotics, and scientific instruments markets. Directed Perception’s full-line of pan-tilt systems support payloads ranging from 6 to 90 pounds. The acquisition of Directed Perception will enhance and differentiate FLIR’s pan-tilt-zoom camera systems for both commercial and military markets through lower cost, improved functionality and ease-of-use. “The acquisition of Directed Perception expands FLIR’s capabilities into a key enabling technology. Its technology can be integrated into many of our existing pan-tilt-zoom systems and has significant potential for future low-cost integrated solutions,” commented Earl Lewis, President and CEO of FLIR. “We welcome Directed Perception’s skilled and experienced team to FLIR.” Upon closing, Directed Perception has been re-named FLIR Motion Control Systems and will operate as a part of FLIR’s Commercial Systems division. FLIR anticipates this transaction will be neutral to 2010 net earnings and accretive thereafter.
06 Jan 10. Marshall Land Systems based in Cambridge, UK, announces today the formation of a new company. Marshall SV Norway A/S will be the focal point of MLS’s activity in Norway. “We are setting up Marshall SV Norway A/S as a positive demonstration of our desire to meet the offset obligations that we have in Norway associated with our contract to supply field hospitals to the Norwegian Defence Forces, one of which is currently deployed by Norway in Chad supporting MINURCAT” said Peter Callaghan, Chief Executive of Marshall Land Systems. Marshall SV Norway will provide in-country support for the hospitals and co-ordinate support to deployed units including arranging training, support and maintenance to ensure that the facilities are kept to the highest levels of quality expected of medical units. Wherever possible much of this work will be contracted to Norwegian companies. As part of its wider offset activities Marshall through Marshall Land Systems will also be partnering with other Norwegian companies to assist them in marketing their services to the UK and in some circumstances, other parts of the world. Amongst these are CSI, who manufacture deployable camp infrastructure; LENCO, a leading supplier of integration software; Nordic Power who are developing diesel fuel cells, NODIN suppliers of medical CASEVAC and MEDIVAC solutions and MRE, who develop and manufacture medical patient care solutions. Terje Vidar Fjellbekk, Managing Director of the new company, commented, “The formation of the new company will allow us to focus on developing our business in Norway and to help Norwegian companies to develop their presence in the export market.” Over the coming months the company will be moving into new offices and will be recruiting staff to run the business.
04 Jan 10. Global semiconductor sales rose 3.7% in November from the previous month—the ninth-straight month of sequential gains—as global demand continued to improve. The $22.6bn total, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association, was an 8.5% increase from a year earlier, the first growth of 2009. Sales through November were down 13% from a year earlier. SIA President George Scalise said the release of Microsoft Corp.’s Windows 7 operating system in October and stronger sales of LCD televisions have helped demand improve, while cellphone sales are likely to come in roughly even with last year. The Americas saw the biggest regional year-to-year increase, at 26%, while Asia-Pacific had 13% growth. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for slightly more than half of global chip sales. However, sa