THOMPSON GROUP ACQUIRES HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND’S APPLIED INSTRUMENT TECHNOLOGIES

The Thompson Group of Companies announced today that it has acquired California based Applied Instrument Technologies (AIT), a Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation business. AIT will be organised as a standalone company within The Thompson Group. Financial terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

AIT is a worldwide leader in the manufacture and marketing of process analytical instruments including Analect FTIR, PIONIR Near-Infrared, MGA Mass Spectrometers, FXi Gas Chromatographs and RPM Raman analyzers. These analysers are used by industry leaders in refining, petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical and steel industries to optimise their production processes.

AIT will continue to be co-located within Hamilton Sundstrand’s Pomona California facility through the remainder of the year as it transitions to a nearby new facility. AIT expects to move into its new facility when completed in early 2011.

“The opportunity to organise AIT as a standalone company will allow us to accelerate our leadership in the development, manufacturing and aftermarket support of process analytical instruments,” said Joe LaConte, AIT’s President. “With a diverse array of engineering, scientific, manufacturing and test capabilities, AIT looks forward to expanding its ability to provide unique applications and products to our customers.”

AIT has ten sales and service offices located throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia with an installed base on six continents. “AIT has continued to grow its customer base with the world’s leading process industries,” said Bob Hegger, AIT’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “With over thirty international channel partners, we are well positioned to provide our customers with strong local support of our systems.”

The Thompson Group, located in Kalispell, Montana, was founded by Raymon F. Thompson, an entrepreneur in the semiconductor industry and the recent controlling shareholder in a $375 million equipment manufacturer. Applied Instrument Technologies, with an installed base of over 2200 systems worldwide, has more than thirty year’s experience in manufacturing rugged and reliable process analysers. AIT has earned recognition for providing high quality products with low maintenance costs.