Chemring acquired Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology, Inc. (“NIITEK”) in December 2008.
NIITEK, based in Virginia, USA, is a leading developer of robot and vehicle-mounted mine detection systems incorporating its advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and metal detection technologies.
The acquisition of NIITEK extended Chemring’s detection capability in the £2.9 billion Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) market. With countermine and route clearance operations becoming increasingly important to enable modern peace-keeping, NIITEK’s core R&D business is funded by the US Army to develop its mine detection technology. Following its successful operational deployment, and around $10 million of pre-production investment from the US Army, NIITEK’s first product has now moved into production. NIITEK expects to receive further significant production orders for this system, and will continue to work with customers to develop other robot-mounted and humanitarian demining systems. The detection technology developed by NIITEK currently makes a revolutionary impact on the US military’s capability to achieve effective route clearance during peace-keeping operations.
NIITEK also provides a strong US platform for Chemring’s other EOD equipment, including disrupters, robot-mounted EOD weapon carriers, detectors, initiators and demolition stores.
Chemring acquired Nobel Energetics Limited (“Nobel”), which at the time was known as Troon Investments Limited, from Inabata UK Limited, Mr Michael Parker and Mr Charles Tuchel in September 2005.
Nobel, based in Ardeer, Scotland manufactured and supplied a range of pyrotechnic and propellant devices, rocket motors and demolition stores.
The acquisition of Nobel substantially enhanced Chemring’s position in the military energetic materials market and significantly extended its range of high explosive, missile motor technology and initiator products. The acquisition represented a fundamental step in Chemring’s energetic materials strategy.
In November 2007 the business of Leafield Engineering Limited was transferred to Nobel, and the combined company was renamed Chemring Energetics UK Limited.
The company now provides a single UK source for engineering, ballistic and chemical skills and the critical mass of expertise needed to keep strategic energetic product manufacture in the UK.
Chemring acquired Comet GmbH, Pyrotechnik-Apparatebau (“Comet”), a subsidiary of Diehl Stiftung & Co KG, in November 2005.
Comet, based in Bremerhaven, Germany, manufactured and supplied a range of military and marine pyrotechnics.
Comet’s military pyrotechnics, which included a range of innovative battlefield simulation products, complemented those sold by Chemring Defence UK Limited (formerly PW Defence Limited), a Chemring subsidiary based in Derby, UK. Comet’s marine pyrotechnic products were complementary to the range of SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) approved marine pyrotechnics also produced by Chemring’s existing businesses.
The acquisition significantly strengthened Chemring’s ability to compete in the military and marine pyrotechnic markets - particularly in Europe.
In November 2007 Comet GmbH was renamed Chemring Defence Germany GmbH and, together with Chemring Defence UK Limited and Chemring Defence Spain S.L., is now part of the combined Chemring Defence business.
Chemring acquired Simmel Difesa S.p.A.(“Simmel”) in March 2007.
Simmel, based in Colleferro, Italy, is a key supplier of energetics sub-systems such as fuzes, safety and arming systems, warheads and modular charge systems for major ammunition prime contractors around the world. The company is also a specialist manufacturer of medium and large calibre ammunition, rockets and illumination mortar rounds for a substantial number of NATO and non-NATO armed forces. Simmel has a second site at Anagni, Italy, where it has a specialist facility for the disposal of ordnance at the end of its operational life.
The acquisition of Simmel supported the Chemring strategy for the development of its Energetics business in both the munition and explosive ordnance disposal markets. It provided an extensive range of munition sub-system technologies and capabilities, visible and IR illumination mortar products as well as an excellent medium calibre system integration capability. These all enhanced the scope of our long term collaborations with the leading ammunition prime contractors. In addition Simmel also brought access to some important geographic markets, particularly Italy, India and South America.
Chemring acquired B.D.L. Systems Limited (“BDL”) in September 2006.
BDL, based in Poole, Dorset, manufactured radio frequency initiators and hard-wired exploders used for the remote detonation of demolition charges, primarily for bomb disposal. It also manufactured electronic countermeasure equipment and under-vehicle surveillance systems, and supplied third party bomb-disposal equipment to help military and homeland security forces counter the ever-increasing threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
BDL’s range of products complemented the bomb-disposal and demolition stores produced by Chemring’s Energetics division. The company’s strong presence in IED detection also opened up growth opportunities for Chemring and supported its strategy of building a presence in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (“EOD”) and IED defeat markets.
As part of its overall integration strategy, and in order to promote more effectively its full range of EOD equipment, Chemring transferred the businesses of Richmond Electronics & Engineering Ltd and B.D.L. Systems Limited into one company which is now known as Chemring EOD Limited.
Chemring acquired the High Energy Materials business of Dyno Nobel ASA (“HEM”), a subsidiary of Orica Limited, in June 2007.
HEM, based in Saetre, Norway, manufactured and supplied RDX and HMX, and other niche energetic materials for explosives and propellant applications. The business now trades as Chemring Nobel AS High Energy Materials.
The acquisition of HEM was an important step in the development of Chemring’s capability to support the munitions and military explosives markets. It brought with it advanced insensitive munitions (IM) technology which was seen as a vital part of the future development of Chemring.
Chemring acquired Titan Dynamics Systems, Inc. ("Titan") from The Allied Defense Group, Inc. in March 2008.
Titan, based in Marshall, Texas, USA, is a leading manufacturer of battlefield effects simulators ("BES"), which are incorporated into the US Army’s and Marine Corps’ digital training ranges. Titan also had a range of simulators to meet the evolving training requirements from deployments in Iraq, which included Improvised Explosive Device ("IED") effects simulators, and a missile launch simulator which replicated the characteristics of shoulder-launched weapons against land or air targets.
The acquisition of Titan built on Chemring Defence’s range of conventional and cartridge-based military training pyrotechnics, and added the ability to design, qualify and manufacture launchers that are integrated with training systems operated by the US military and selected training service providers. The combination of Titan’s BES range with Chemring Defence’s multi-effects cartridge system (MECS) meant that Chemring could offer a full range of effects from IEDs to micro-pyrotechnics, which could be used indoors for training in urban warfare.
The acquisition of Titan was an important step in consolidating Chemring’s leading position in the battlefield effects stimulation market. The combination of Titan and Chemring Defence meant Chemring could offer a complete range of advanced pyrotechnic simulators, which are essential to train forces effectively for the range of threats they are likely to face in modern operations.
Titan Dynamics Systems, Inc. together with the Kilgore Defense business became part of the Chemring Ordnance (COR) business in 2010.
Chemring acquired Scot, Inc. (“Scot”) from SMS Industries, Inc. in July 2008.
Scot, based in Downers Grove, Illinois, USA, is a leading manufacturer of cartridge-actuated and propellant-actuated devices (CAD/PADs) used in aircraft emergency systems and for aircrew egress. Scot also designs and manufactures actuators, valves and sequencers, separation nuts and bolts, and aircraft weapon ejector systems.
The acquisition of Scot provided Chemring with an important US centre-of-excellence for the design, development, qualification and manufacture of pyrotechnic devices and sub-systems used in aircraft, missile and space platforms. Furthermore, Scot’s engineering capability complemented the existing high volume manufacturing and automation skills within Chemring’s North American businesses, and significantly enhanced the Group’s position in the US pyrotechnic market. Scot also added key customer relationships that enhanced the routes-to-market for Chemring’s full range of CAD/PAD products, including rocket motors, pyrotechnic transmission cords, canopy cutting charges and actuators.
Scot, along with Technical Ordnance was renamed Chemring Energetic Devices, Inc. in August 2010.
Chemring acquired Martin Electronics, Inc. ("MEl") in August 2008.
MEI, based in Perry, Florida, is a specialist manufacturer of ammunition, fuzes, signalling and other pyrotechnically activated devices for use in the defence sector. The business also manufactures a range of close combat products, including training grenade fuzes, pyrotechnics and specialist 40mm ammunition. Its customers include the US military, prime contractors and overseas governments.
The acquisition of MEI positioned Chemring strongly within key niches in the US munitions components market, increasing the Group's capabilities by providing a platform from which to develop niche prime contract opportunities in the US. The acquisition was in line with Chemring's strategy of building its presence in the US energetics sector and acting as a consolidator in the market. It also provided Chemring with an additional centre of excellence in the US, broadening its expertise and service offering within a sector well understood by the Company.
Martin Electronics, Inc. was renamed Chemring Ordnance, Inc. in July 2010.
Chemring acquired Technical Ordnance, Inc. (“Technical Ordnance”) in March 2006.
Technical Ordnance, based in both Minnesota and South Dakota, manufactured a range of pyrotechnic and explosive devices, including impulse cartridges, fuse components, ammunition and pellets, Load Assemble and Pack (“LAP”), cutting devices and non-electric detonators. Its customers include the US Air Force, the US Army and the US Navy, a number of large defence contractors and some commercial entities.
The acquisition of Technical Ordnance provided Chemring with a high volume, energetic material manufacturing operation, located in the US. Its technology and product range was similar to that of Chemring’s UK business, Nobel Energetics Limited, which was acquired in September 2005. Technical Ordnance offered a substantial opportunity for future organic growth, both through the transfer of products and technologies to address the large US defence market, and through the increased export potential, which became available to the acquired business utilising Chemring’s global market access.
Technical Ordnance, along with Scot, Inc., was renamed Chemring Energetic Devices, Inc. in August 2010.
Chemring acquired Leafield Engineering Limited (“Leafield Engineering”) in January 2006.
Leafield Engineering, based in Corsham, Wiltshire, was a niche designer, assembler and supplier of complex components and systems to the defence industry. Whilst it had a wide range of products and expertise, it also had a particular specialisation in pyro-mechanical devices and weapon sub-systems. The business won, as part of the SAAB Bofors Dynamics team, the competition for the next generation light anti-armour weapon for the UK and Swedish armed forces. Leafield Engineering’s role was in the manufacture of the safety and arming unit, key pyro-mechanisms and the insensitive munitions miniature detonating cord.
The acquisition of Leafield Engineering offered Chemring improved access to the European complex weapon market, and substantially enhanced its electro-mechanical and sub-system engineering capability. Its integration within Chemring’s broader energetic materials capability provided attractive opportunities for organic growth.
In November 2007 Leafield Engineering’s business was transferred to Nobel Energetics Limited and became part of Chemring Energetics UK Limited.
Chemring acquired Richmond Electronics & Engineering Limited (“Richmond”) in November 2007.
Richmond, based in Norfolk, UK, was a leading manufacturer of disrupters and other equipment for the safe neutralisation of Improved Explosive Devices (“IEDs”) and unexploded ordnance. Richmond’s patented recoilless disrupters fire a projectile or jet of water into the firing circuits of IED to neutralise it without detonation, and can be fitted to even small bomb disposal robots using Richmond’s precision aiming and mounting systems. Richmond also manufactured IED search equipment and a range of tools for remote dismantling and neutralising unexploded ordnance, which facilitate the reconstruction of conflict zones.
The acquisition of Richmond supported Chemring’s strategy of building a strong presence in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (“EOD”) and IED defeat markets, and complemented the EOD equipment and consumables produced by B.D.L. Systems Limited.
As part of its overall integration strategy, and in order to promote more effectively its full range of EOD equipment, Chemring transferred the businesses of Richmond and B.D.L. Systems Limited into one company which is now known as Chemring EOD Limited.
Chemring acquired Hi-Shear Technology Corporation (“Hi-Shear”) in November 2009.
Hi-Shear, based in Los Angeles, USA, is a leading manufacturer of high reliability energetic solutions that perform critical functions in key US space and defence programmes, including satellites, space launch vehicles, missile defence and aircrew egress. Its products include low shock pyrotechnic satellite separation systems, space-qualified initiators, electronic missile safe/arm devices and acoustic initiators for underwater explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) applications.
The acquisition of Hi-Shear creates a Group-wide centre of excellence in advanced initiation technologies, which are critical elements of next generation missile systems such as the advanced Patriot “PAC-3” anti-ballistic missile and have an important role in a range of modern weapons and energetic sub-systems including aircraft ejection seats and unmanned systems. Furthermore, Hi-Shear’s leading US position in space and satellite separation is one which it can grow by accessing European satellite manufacturers and by adding additional technologies such as Chemring’s range of linear explosives for cutting and stage separation. Finally, Hi-Shear’s remote acoustic EOD initiator fits with Chemring’s existing range of encoded radio-frequency initiators for EOD applications.
Chemring acquired Mecar SPRL, based in Nivelles, Belgium and the business and assets of Mecar USA Inc., based in Marshall, Texas in September 2010.
Mecar SPRL is a niche manufacturer of medium and large calibre ammunition, particularly for modern, light armoured vehicles. The Mecar USA, Inc. business, which will trade as Chemring Military Products, Inc., provides load, assemble and pack and procurement services for the US Government and prime contractors. The two businesses were previously the main operating subsidiaries of The Allied Defense Group, Inc.
The acquisition of the Mecar businesses brings to Chemring complementary markets, products and technologies. Mecar has a strong presence in the Middle East, complementing Chemring’s current emphasis on NATO customers. As a prime contractor, Mecar’s focus on ammunition for LAVs fits well with Chemring’s leading position in naval ammunition. Finally, the acquisition of the Mecar businesses creates an internal customer for Chemring’s propellants, explosives and fuzes, whilst its precision machining capacity should be able to supply a growing Group requirement for metal parts.
Chemring acquired Roke Manor Research “Roke”, based in Romsey, UK, in September 2010,
Roke is a world-class engineering company that provides contract research, product development and low volume production for a wide range of UK and international customers. It is a leading developer of advanced sensors, signal processing, communications and network solutions for the countermeasures, counter-improvised explosive device (counter-IED), counter-terrorism and industrial markets.
Roke will build on the Group's capability to offer advanced technology solutions to customers in the global Countermeasures, Counter-IED and Counter-Terrorist markets. It will establish Chemring as a key player in the growing Homeland Security market. Its broad range of electronics, sensors and communications will provide a strong platform for the development of next generation products and systems, as well as offering entry points into several adjacent markets.
Chemring acquired General Dynamics Detection Systems operations, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, in July 2011.
The business, which will now operate as Chemring Detection Systems, Inc, is a US leader in chemical and biological threat detection and has an advanced capability in stand-off detection of improvised explosive devices ("IEDs"). It is the incumbent supplier for two major US military vehicle-mounted detection programmes: the Joint Biological Point Detection System ("JBPDS") and the Joint Service Lightweight stand-off Chemical Agent Detector ("JSLSCAD"). In addition, its products include a stand-off IED and explosives detector and the Juno hand-held chemical detector.
The acquisition creates substantial opportunities for Chemring by enhancing its existing IED detection capabilities and through growth with Detection Systems' chemical and biological programmes.
To view acquisition timeline video click here
Chemring acquired General Dynamics Detection Systems operations, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, in July 2011.
The business, which will now operate as Chemring Detection Systems, Inc, is a US leader in chemical and biological threat detection and has an advanced capability in stand-off detection of improvised explosive devices ("IEDs"). It is the incumbent supplier for two major US military vehicle-mounted detection programmes: the Joint Biological Point Detection System ("JBPDS") and the Joint Service Lightweight stand-off Chemical Agent Detector ("JSLSCAD"). In addition, its products include a stand-off IED and explosives detector and the Juno hand-held chemical detector.
The acquisition creates substantial opportunities for Chemring by enhancing its existing IED detection capabilities and through growth with Detection Systems' chemical and biological programmes.
To view acquisition timeline video click here