Communications & Power Industries Expands Antenna Business With Acquisition Of Orbital Systems And Quorum Communications
Acquisition brings new technologies and capabilities to CPI’s extensive satcom, telemetry and radar antenna offerings
PALO ALTO, Calif. – August 21, 2018 – Communications & Power Industries (CPI) has acquired the related companies Orbital Systems, Ltd. and Quorum Communications, Inc. from their co-founders. The acquired companies design and manufacture associated ground-based full-motion antenna products that play a key role in communications applications; Orbital Systems provides antenna systems primarily for communications with earth observation satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) and telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C) applications, while Quorum Communications, its sister company, provides satellite microwave receivers, downconverters and other communications products.
“Orbital Systems’ and Quorum Communications’ antenna products are thoughtfully designed for very high reliability and ease of operation, even in the harsh environments to which earth observation antennas are subject. Additionally, the companies have demonstrated a winning combination of extensive systems-level expertise, well-chosen antenna pedestal technology, reasonably priced solutions, and a forward-facing architecture designed to address opportunities for satellite communications programs with medium earth orbit and low earth orbit satellite customers,” said Tony Russell, president of CPI Antenna Systems Division. “Their approach, products and technology are an excellent complement to CPI’s existing antenna product offerings.”
CPI intends to retain the leadership, personnel and facilities of the newly acquired companies. The three co-founders and principals, Carl Schoeneberger, Allan Bundens and Richard Fogle, will join CPI. CPI intends to continue to utilize Orbital Systems’ and Quorum Communications’ shared manufacturing facilities in Irving, Texas.
“When evaluating potential buyers, we knew that we wanted a partner that is respected in the industry, that shared our dedication to providing reliable and affordable, yet state-of-the-art, antenna products to commercial, academic and government customers, and that will be able to grow the business and sustain it over the long term,” said Carl Schoeneberger, president of Orbital Systems. “We found that partner in CPI, and we look forward to Orbital Systems and Quorum Communications being part of the CPI team.”
Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Coupled with CPI’s recent purchase of the large-diameter satellite communications antenna family from Viasat Inc., the acquisition of Orbital Systems and Quorum Communications enables CPI to offer commercial and government customers a comprehensive range of limited-motion and full-motion antenna products. The acquired companies will be integrated into CPI’s Antenna Systems Division, bringing proven, reliable, innovative and synergistic technology and products to an already broad portfolio of advanced antenna products for communications, telemetry and radar applications:
- For communications applications, CPI’s antenna products comprise limited- and full-motion antenna products and range from under one meter to 18 meters in size. These include data link products for line-of-sight communications (from and among ground-based, airborne and shipboard systems) and a variety of antenna products to address satellite communications applications related to all types of geostationary (GEO), medium earth orbit (MEO) and LEO satellites.
- For telemetry applications, CPI provides a number of telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C) products that enable incredibly precise tracking of fast-moving objects and aerial vehicles. CPI’s telemetry antenna products include ground-based, transportable, mobile and shipboard systems.
- For radar applications, CPI’s antenna products include direction finders, air traffic control antennas and weather radar antennas up to 14 meters in size.
About Communications & Power Industries
Communications & Power Industries (CPI) is a global manufacturer of electronic components and subsystems focused primarily on communications and defense markets. With a heritage of technological excellence that spans decades, CPI develops, manufactures and globally distributes innovative and reliable technology solutions used in the generation, amplification, transmission and reception of microwave signals for commercial and military applications. CPI serves customers in the communications, defense, medical, industrial and scientific markets. CPI consists of Communications & Power Industries LLC, headquartered in Palo Alto, California, and Communications & Power Industries Canada Inc., located in Ontario, Canada. Learn more about CPI at www.cpii.com.
About Orbital Systems
Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Orbital Systems, Ltd. is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of ground station antenna systems used for Telemetry, Tracking and Control (TT&C), Earth Observation Satellite Direct Broadcast (EOS DB) reception, RADAR, Search & Rescue (SARSAT), and custom tracking applications. Orbital Systems offers antenna positioners and integrated RF subsystems in Ka-, X-, S-, and L- bands with single or multi-band feeds, upconverters, downconverters, HPAs, and control systems. Orbital Systems’ product focus is on reliability, safety, and accuracy for LEO and MEO satellite tracking systems ranging in sizes from 1.5m to 6.1m. Orbital Systems sells directly to customers and through established certified resellers and systems integrators. Visit www.orbitalsystems.com for additional information.
About Quorum Communications
Quorum Communications, Inc. was founded in 1988 with the goal of providing cost effective, high-quality solutions to the satellite remote sensing market. Since that time, Quorum Communications has grown to provide research centers, universities and governments worldwide with the necessary equipment to receive and process satellite data. Its products include microwave receivers, demodulators, downconverters and feeds. Quorum Communications is headquartered in Irving, Texas.
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Contacts:
Amanda Mogin, Communications & Power Industries, corporate communications, 650.846.3998, amanda.mogin@cpii.com