GSI Lumonics merges with Westwind Air Bearings

Citation

(2004), "GSI Lumonics merges with Westwind Air Bearings", Circuit World, Vol. 30 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/cw.2004.21730cab.003

GSI Lumonics merges with Westwind Air Bearings

GSI Lumonics merges with Westwind Air Bearings

Keywords: GSI Lumonics, Westwind

On 10 December 2003, Westwind Air Bearings Ltd joined GSI Lumonics, a world leader in the manufacturer of precision motion components, lasers, and laser-based advanced manufacturing systems to the global medical, semiconductor, electronics, and industrial markets.

With over 40 years of experience, Westwind Air Bearings is widely recognised as the world leader in the design, manufacture and supply of high precision rotary motion components based on its proprietary air bearing spindle technology. This technology provides enabling components in several key markets for GSI Lumonics, including PCB drilling, semiconductor manufacturing, optical scanning, and imaging for both medical and reprographics.

Steve Webb, Managing Director of Westwind Air Bearings Ltd, said, "We are delighted to become a member of the GSLI group, who have experience of developing businesses that provide value defining components to precision equipment manufacturers. We believe they are the ideal partner to help Westwind Air Bearings Ltd develop. Additionally, our customers will have access to a broadened portfolio of products and services – including galvanometers, scanning subsystems, encoders, precision optics, lasers, and more – through other GSI Lumonics divisions."

Mr Webb added, "Westwind's commitment to provide our customers with high-quality, high- performance products and technologies remains constant. On the practical side, this change in ownership will not affect terms and conditions, trading terms and bank details."

Charles Winston, GSI Lumonics' President and Chief Executive Officer said, "The Westwind acquisition is consistent with the GSI's stated strategy of expanding its product lines and technology in the laser and precision motion components business groups. Westwind's high precision rotary motion technology and products strengthen our position in the electronics manufacturing and optical scanning markets at a time when these markets are recovering. It is expected that this acquisition will be accretive to earnings during 2004".

For further information, please contact: Steve Webb, Managing Director, Westwind Air Bearings Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)1202 627211; Fax: +44 (0)1202 627202.

Steve Ratcliffe, Sales and Marketing Director, Westwind Air Bearings Ltd, Tel: +44 (0)1202 627237; Fax: +44 (0)1202 627202.

Also visit our Web site: http://www.gsilumonics.com and http://www.westwind-airbearings.com