Business Council of Alabama member Austal USA announced today it has acquired privately held ElectraWatch Inc.
ElectraWatch in Charlottesville, Va., is a technology leader in developing and deploying portable probe devices that help efficiently maintain aluminum structures, Austal USA said.
The acquisition reinforces Austal USA’s position as a global leader in aluminum ship manufacturing and sustainment and extends its ability to support the U.S. Navy fleet where nearly every ship includes aluminum structures, Austal USA said.
“The combination of ElectraWatch patented technology along with Austal USA’s advanced ship manufacturing and sustainment expertise reinforces the company’s position as an industry leader to efficiently support the aggressive shipbuilding and sustainment requirements from our U.S. Navy customer,” Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle said. “As innovative technology reaches deeper into shipbuilding construction and sustainment, we remain laser-focused at providing cost-effective solutions to our customers.”
Austal USA manufactures the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship and Expeditionary Fast Transport for the U.S. Navy. The company delivers two LCS and two EPF per year with the capacity to increase its manufacturing rate at its 166-acre facility and headquarters in Mobile.
Seven LCS (even numbered LCS 2 through 14) and nine EPFs (T-EPF 1-9) have been delivered to date. Austal USA was also one of five prime contractors awarded a concept design contract for the U.S. Navy’s future guided missile Frigate (FFG(X)) while its EPF is also being considered to support permanent medical ship operations, Austal USA said.
The all-cash stock purchase is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings and the business will remain a standalone business, part of the Austal USA portfolio.
Austal USA is an advanced ship manufacturer, servicer and sustainment provider. Headquartered in Mobile with facilities in San Diego, Singapore, and Washington, D.C., the company employs nearly 4,000 people and designs and constructs two ship programs for the U.S. Navy – Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (even numbered hulls) and Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF).
ElectraWatch’s patented technology is self-contained and easily deployable around the world to meet and support its customers’ needs. The company supports multiple shipbuilders, maintenance providers and the U.S. Navy across a broad range of military ships currently deployed in the U.S. fleet.