Merger-minded Smiths Industries of the UK has made its first purchase in what may be a series of acquisitions in 1999, with a $14.5 million swoop for US health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS) manufacturer Strategic Technology Systems (STSI).

Completion of the purchase is subject to US regulatory approval, expected in early May. Smiths has now made four HUMS acquisitions since 1995, giving it what it claims is an "unrivalled" range of products in the field.

Source: Flight International