GSI Lumonics Acquires Westwind Air Bearings

BILLERICA, Mass., Dec. 12 -- GSI Lumonics Inc., a supplier of precision motion control components, lasers and laser-based advanced manufacturing systems to medical, semiconductor, electronics and industrial markets, announced it has completed the acquisition of Westwind Air Bearings Ltd., its subsidiaries and outstanding shares from Cobham plc, an English manufacturer of equipment, systems, and components for the aerospace and defense industries. The all-cash purchase price was approximately $37 million.

Westwind makes high-precision rotary motion components based on its proprietary air-bearing spindle technology. GSI Lumonics said this technology provides enabling components in several key markets, including PCB drilling, semiconductor manufacturing, optical scanning and imaging for both medical and reprographics. Westwind, with 350 employees, is based in Poole, England; it has a manufacturing and service facility in Shuzhou, China, and sales and service offices in the US and Japan.

Charles Winston, GSI Lumonics' president and CEO, said, "The Westwind acquisition is consistent with the company's stated strategy of expanding its product lines and technology in the laser and precision motion components business groups. Westwind's high-precision rotary motion technology and products strengthen our position in the electronics manufacturing and optical scanning markets at a time when these markets are recovering."

For more information, visit: www.gsilumonics.com