Flir Systems, newly arrived in the Top 100, continues to enjoy robust demand for its infrared and thermal imaging products. Government systems business grew 22% by revenue in the second quarter, despite softness inthe US military sector.
Since June FLIR has won an award from Sikorsky to supply its 230mm (9in) Talon multi-sensor system for the HH-60M Blackhawk helicopter, and secured a contract from the Indian air force to equip its future fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130J transports with its AAQ-22 Star Safire III electro-optical/infrared sensors.
At the same time FLIR has also introduced the Star HD Generation II sensor system to supply high definition resolution from its visible low light and mid-weight infrared sensors. FLIR aims to build on the 250-plus orders for first-generation Star Safire HD sensors it has garnered since launching the product at the 2005 Paris air show.
FLIR believes “there are other competitors that might have one HD camera in and are calling their cameras HD”, but company president of government systems Bill Sundermeier says all the sensors bring full HD into cockpit. He believes going forward that edge is going “to separate us out in the market space, having the most high-definition system available”.
The company adopts a philosophy of balancing product evolution with a strict focus on controlling costs. FLIR chief executive Earl Lewis stresses that is “a continuous activity. Our strategy has been now for nine to 10 years to reduce our costs and pass most of it on to the customer”. FLIR’s customers are spread over its three businesses – government systems, commercial vision systems and thermography.
FLIR debuts in 85th position, and continues to carefully plot a path of strategic growth. In June the company tabled plans to purchase low light camera manufacturer Salvador Manufacturing for $13 million in cash.
Now renamed FLIR Advanced Imaging Systems, Lewis explains the company is a “leader in what we believe to be a very promising low light technology directly adjacent and complementary with our core infrared capability”.
FLIR is folding the company into its commercial vision systems division, and this year plans to introduce a security camera using Salvador’s technology.
At a glance
- Top 100 rank 85
- HQ Portland, Oregon
- Aero revenues $569m
- Sales growth 49.0%
- Operating margin 26.5%
- ROCE 26.6%
- Employees 1,943
- CEO Earl Lewis
Source: Flight International
