Astronics acquires test supplier Freedom Communication Technologies for $22 million

July 1, 2019

Astronics Corporation, a provider of advanced technologies for global aerospace, defense, and other mission-critical industries, announced July 1 that it has acquired 100% of the equity of Freedom Communication Technologies, Inc. (FCT) for $22 million in cash.

Based in Kilgore, TX, FCT is a developer and manufacturer of communication test equipment for the land-based mobile radio test market, providing solutions to long-term evolution (LTE) high-speed wireless communications customers globally.

“FCT is a leader in wireless communications testing, primarily for the civil land mobile radio market,” said Peter Gundermann, Astronics chairman, president, and CEO. “Their market focus and technology complements those we already have, and together, we will offer a broader range of test solutions to an expanded market. The acquisition gives us a stronger market position in the radio test arena, a strong brand for our offerings and a larger addressable market. We are excited to expand our test capabilities and to bring FCT on board with our Test business.”

FCT was founded in 2015 and offers communications analyzers for testing and maintaining land mobile radio communications systems. FCT also provides an extensive range of capabilities, including automated radio testing and alignment, coverage mapping, and interference analysis. In 2018, FCT had $11 million in revenue and is expected to contribute approximately $10 million in revenue in the second half of 2019.

The deal marks the latest business move for East Aurora, NY-based Astronics since it announced the $185 million sale of its semiconductor test business to Advantest this past November.

About the Author

Mike Hockett | Former Editor

Mike Hockett was Editor in Chief for EE from September 2018 to Sept. 2019. Previously he served as editor for two manufacturing trade publications: Industrial Distribution, and Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation. He began in sports writing for a trio of newspapers in Wisconsin and Iowa and earned a BA degree in print journalism from UW-Eau Claire.