Roke Manor Research bought by Chemring (From Daily Echo)

Roke Manor Research bought by Chemring

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TWO of Hampshire’s most cutting-edge companies are to join forces in a landmark £55m deal.

Roke Manor Research, the biggest employer in Romsey and the company whose technology is in the front line against IEDs in Afghanistan, has been snapped up by Whiteley-based explosives giant Chemring.

The inventor of a range of technologies from the Hawkeye tennis umpiring device to military grade radar and landmine detection equipment, Roke is a £45m turnover business employing 450 people, including 300 engineers, at the Old Salisbury Road site.

It posted a post-tax profit of £3.9m last year, with an order book worth £37m in May.

Owned by Siemens since 1990, Roke will remain a “preferred partner” for the German engineering conglomerate and will continue to develop technology for third parties.

Roke today specialises in advanced sensors and communication equipment, with three-quarters of its business in the defence sector.

Chemring hailed its new acquisition as “one of the world leaders in electronic warfare”, pointing to “a range of technologies and products for electronic countermeasures, electronic intelligence gathering, threat detection and target location”. Its role in the “emerging cyber-security market” was also a key factor.

Company of the Year in the Daily E c h o - b a c k e d H a m p s h i r e Business Awards, Chemring is best known for its missile counter-measures but has a wide ranging defence business covering everything from ejector seats to mine detection.

David Smith, managing director of Roke said: “Joining the Chemring Group will provide the independence and investment required to enable our continued growth.”

David Price, pictured, chief executive of Chemring, said: “The acquisition of Roke will substantially enhance our existing technologies in a number of our key market sectors.”

The deal, which saw solicitors from the Southampton office of Bond Pearce act as advisors, is just the latest in an eye-catching string of audacious buy-ups, largely in the US, that have transformed Chemring.

Purchases in the last year include bullet maker the Allied Defence Group for £40m and US space technology group Hi-Shear Technology Corporation for £80m.