Thales signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) and motion tracking businesses from Gentex Corp., based in Carbondale, Pa. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Called Visionix, the combined group designs, develops and delivers HMD, inertial tracking and sensor fusion technology for defense and aerospace applications, along with others that require precision motion tracking, to customers worldwide. Visionix operates from locations in Aurora, Ill., and Billerica, Mass. Thales said the acquisition of Visionix group will give it the ability to offer highly capable HMD technology amidst rigorous budget constraints within the market.
“This acquisition is a strategic fit that complements Thales’ global portfolio of Helmet Mounted Sight and Display systems for rotary and fixed wing platforms. We will greatly benefit from these innovative and proven Visionix product offerings,” said Michel Mathieu, head of Thales’ Avionics Division.
“This new business dynamic enhances our ability to support warfighters by providing increased situational awareness in tough environments,” said Allan Cameron, president and CEO of Thales USA. “This acquisition will help us to achieve our ambition of growth in the US defense market."
Visionix will operate as a subsidiary of Thales Communications. The business will maintain both of its existing locations with the current management team remaining in place. The acquisition is conditional upon receiving certain regulatory approvals.
“Visionix is a global provider and partner of choice for industry leading situational awareness products. Merging our HMD and motion tracking business with Thales, a proven leader in the global defense and aerospace markets, will accelerate our ability to develop more market-defining products that fundamentally enhance our customers’ ability to perform their missions,” said Pete Roney, Gentex Executive Vice President and General Manager of Visionix.