ABB has acquired California-based Los Gatos Research (LGR) to add a new line of high-performance gas analyzers to its measurement business.
The 19-year-old, nearly 40-person LGR provides analyzers and services to a wide range of customers needing real-time measurement of trace gases and isotopes for research and environmental monitoring.
LGR's novel laser-based measurement strategies allow for non-destructive analysis of gases and liquids. The company’s analyzer technology is based on Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy (OA-ICOS) that has a higher sensitivity, precision and accuracy than other traditional sampling and laser-based technologies.
LGR’s employees will join the global Measurement Products business unit in ABB’s Process Automation Division. LGR’s revenues in 2013 are expected to be around US$14 million.
“LGR fills a gap in our technology portfolio and brings a host of new solutions that are vital to industrial customers, such as oil & gas production and transportation, combustion, emissions, power generation and environmental monitoring,” said Kishore Sundararajan, global business unit manager in Measurement Products.
“This technology has tremendous promise, and we look forward to combining it with our product development and channels to market.”
“ABB offers tremendous opportunity for LGR’s cavity enhanced laser absorption technology to reach a wider range of applications in the global market,” said Doug Baer, President, Los Gatos Research.
“In addition to helping LGR broaden its product line to address new opportunities, this will also provide a great opportunity for our employees to grow in a large global organization.”