TE Connectivity will use its recent purchase of sensors and sensor-based systems manufacturer Measurement Specialties to broaden its capabilities in this fast-growing area, and is on the lookout for similar acquisition opportunities.
TE, which provides engineered electronic components, connectors and network services to the aerospace, automotive and energy sectors, completed the acquisition of Measurement Specialties in October.
Derrill Rice, the new president of TE’s Aerospace, Defence and Marine division, tells Flight Daily News that customers had been “asking us to broaden our capabilities” in the sensor market, where the company sees the potential for additional acquisitions.
“We still see opportunities for us to continue to increase our breadth of products [in the sensor market]…and we’re still looking for [acquisition] opportunities where there is a space in the market,” says Rice.
On the aerospace side, TE has identified three “sweet spots” on which to focus through its newly-acquired Measurement Specialties unit: positional sensors, vibration sensors and temperature sensors. The company is also “building up the capability internally to have sensors to measure force and torque”, says Rice.
TE’s development of a sensor solution that alerts crews when an aircraft’s horizontal stabiliser’s back-up system is engaged is “a good example” of how the company’s expanded product portfolio works alongside its experience of developing technologies for use in harsh environments, says Rice.
TE is looking forward to communicating its expanded sensor products portfolio to customers at the Paris air show, where it will also be highlighting as “the centrepiece of our show space” the lightweight miniature modular rack principle (MiniMRP) avionics concept it is developing as an extension to Arinc Specification 836.
Visitors to TE’s stand will be able to use an interactive display which “can pull up any part of the aircraft architecture” and show the “products and ideas” under development at the company.
Source: Flight Daily News
