Waterloo’s Aeryon Labs acquired by FLIR Systems
Posted Jan 28, 2019 05:11:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Local drone maker Aeryon Labs Inc. has been acquired by FLIR Systems Inc. in a deal worth $200 million (U.S.).
Aeryon's unmanned aerial systems (UAS) had already been utilizing FLIR's thermal technology.
“The acquisition of Aeryon Labs reinforces our long-term strategy to move beyond providing sensors to the development of complete solutions that save lives and livelihoods,” President and CEO of FLIR Systems, Jim Cannon, said in a release.
“This acquisition, coupled with our acquisition of Prox Dynamics in 2016, greatly increases our unmanned systems solutions capabilities, expanding beyond nano-UAS into Group 1 UAS solutions for military. We intend to continue to invest and build this area of our business and broaden our capabilities as we view unmanned and autonomous solutions to be a significant opportunity for organic growth in the coming years.” he added.
FLIR is a world-leading maker of sensor systems that enhance perception and heighten awareness.
The company, based out of Oregon, has been around since 1978 and currently employs close to 3,700 people.
“We're thrilled to join the FLIR family and to have a large, growth-oriented technology company as our new home,” said Dave Kroetsch, Co-founder and CTO of Aeryon Labs.
“As drone technology and its markets evolve, customers are seeking UAS as just one component of a broader solution. While Aeryon has been evolving in that direction for the past few years, being part of FLIR Systems brings a path to include our hardware and software technologies in much bigger solutions than would have ever been possible on our own.”
Aeryon was founded in 2007.
It's unmanned aerial systems are currently being used 20 militaries around the world.
A FLIR spokesperson told KitchenerToday.com that Aeryon's Waterloo facility will remain operational and will now be part of FLIR's Government and Defense business unit.
