December 3, 2013

Gooch & Housego acquires photonic systems designer

Gooch & Housego PLC, a manufacturer of precision optical components, recently signaled its willingness to add value to its systems and sub-systems by acquiring the Athens, Greece-based designer Constelex Technology Enablers Limited. Constelex specializes in advanced photonic systems.

Photonic systems work through the transmission and detection of light, and have many applications, especially in the telecommunications, defense, space and life sciences industries. 

The Wall Street Journal reports that Constelex, though only four years old, has amassed a respectable reputation in its industry and has used that to secure contracts from the European Space Agency for satellite work.

Gooch & Housego PLC can make good use of these contracts. While Constelex develops its systems for space and military uses, G&H can look into transitioning the technology to commercial applications.

For example, in February of this year, the news source reported that G&H established the Systems Technology Group (STG) in the U.K. The goal of this facility was to design and develop prototypes of products for the mechanical, electronic and software design disciplines.

"Building upon the creation of the Systems Technology Group earlier this year, the acquisition of Constelex demonstrates Gooch & Housego's commitment to accelerating organic growth through the development of high added-value photonic systems for new markets such as space and satellite communications," Gareth Jones, Chief Executive of Gooch & Housego, told the news source.

This technology acquisition will allow the company to significantly expand its operations at STG and make it a leader in the space photonics industry, developing crucial hardware for space programs in both the U.S. and the European Union.