U.K. based Cobham plc announced today the acquisition of Telerob GmbH, a German-based manufacturer of bomb disposal robots. Cobham is paying EUR 78 million for full ownership of the German company. Privately owned Telerob is manufacturing Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robots and threat response vehicles. Following the acquisition Telerob will become part of Cobham’s Mission Equipment business unit, broadening the Group’s portfolio addressing the fast-growing homeland security markets. The acquisition is being funded from Cobham’s existing cash resources. Cobham has acquired two businesses in the US and Europe worth a total of US$150m in the past month, both serving homeland security markets.
Cobham expects to benefit from the synergy of Telerob with other capabilities of the group, including communications equipment and sensors that it already provides for the EOD market along with specialist cameras manufactured by RVision. “Telerob brings distinctive EOD technology and international routes to market that are highly complementary to ours. ” Andy Stevens, Cobham Chief Executive Officer, commented, “this acquisition will enable us to enhance the product range we can offer to homeland security markets.”
Telerob manufactures medium and heavy-weight Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD) robots and response vehicles designed to deal with nuclear, biological and chemical threats primarily for homeland security markets. The company has more than 700 systems in 55 countries, with many systems in operation in Asia and the Middle East where it has established itself as a market leader. The German company employs 80 staff, half of whom are engaged in R&D.
