After working together for several years, automation specialist Vanderlande has acquired Canadian software company Optosecurity, further strengthening its portfolio of airport solutions.
Optosecurity provides a software platform that integrates with Vanderlande’s checkpoint solutions to facilitate remote security screening and data integration. Vanderlande sees the transaction as a logical step in expanding its footprint beyond traditional baggage handling projects in the aviation market.
Andrew Manship, executive vice president airports, Vanderlande, said, “The acquisition of Optosecurity supports Vanderlande’s vision of value-added integrated airport logistics systems. We expect the joint strength of Vanderlande’s SCANNOJET automated passenger checkpoint solution and Optosecurity’s eVelocity remote screening application to become a winning solution.”
Tim Mathews, CEO and president, said, “Optosecurity has a unique proposition for remote screening in passenger processing. As part of Vanderlande, we will be able to mature and expand our range of solutions. I am confident that Optosecurity will be an important and respected member of the Vanderlande family, and we will continue to serve our existing customer base and partners, as well as capitalize on new opportunities.”
Vanderlande also announced the launch of its new Manufacturing and Distribution Center in Acworth, Georgia, USA, which it hopes will reduce lead times and costs for North American customers.
The facility is an amalgamation of Vanderlande’s manufacturing plants previously located in Calhoun, Georgia, and the existing North American Distribution Center adjacent to the site in Acworth. Each center previously employed around 25 people but the new facility will more than triple that number to between 80 and 100 employees.
Acworth will benefit from the latest state-of-the-art metal-fabricating equipment and paint-coating line, and will manufacture baggage conveyor and sortation equipment, carousels and automated passenger checkpoints (such as SCANNOJET) for the airports market. In addition, the company will produce POSISORTER and COMPAXORTER line-sorting technology solutions, as well as bulk conveyors and chutes for the warehousing and parcel markets.
Gert Bossink, chief operating officer, Vanderlande, said, “We have adopted a strategy in which we’re balancing global sourcing and local manufacturing to achieve the best solution for our customers. Opening the new center in the USA fits perfectly with this approach.”
Nick Porter, president airports, Vanderlande, added, “The investment in this facility demonstrates Vanderlande’s commitment to the North American market. It will reduce the total cost of ownership for our customers through shortened lead times, increased flexibility and the agility made possible by producing high-quality products here in Georgia.”
The main North American customers to be serviced by Vanderlande’s Manufacturing and Distribution Center are UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and some of North America’s largest airports including Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, Vancouver and Atlanta.
