Optech Incorporated, the world’s leading manufacturer of advanced lidar survey instruments, announced today that it has acquired the operations and assets of Geospatial Systems, Inc. (GSI), a United States camera and imaging company.

“Photogrammetric imagery and lidar data collection technologies continue to merge into a single mainstream technology,” said Don Carswell, Optech’s President. "We are very impressed by GSI's capabilities in the design, engineering and manufacturing of georeferenced metric electro-optical, infrared (EO/IR) and multispectral imaging systems. Their high-performance cameras, robust packaging and powerful image processing capabilities will enable the further fusion of our lidar and imaging solutions. This acquisition aligns with our focus on extending our customer-oriented products and support; and we believe that all of Optech’s clients will appreciate the benefits of having a single provider that meets their needs for integrated active and passive imaging instruments and solutions.”

GSI has a recognized track record in the design and manufacture of ruggedized, high-precision, metric imaging systems for airborne applications, including many implementations with Optech’s ALTM lidar systems. TerraPix, which includes a range of metric sensors, is a common platform for delivering custom solutions tailored to its customer’s Airborne Survey and Mapping, Asset Management, and Tactical Intelligence Reconnaissance and Surveillance (ISR) requirements. The TerraPix DGX architecture provides camera control, inertial navigation system integration and image processing capabilities; and enables single and multi-sensor solutions that combine visible, multispectral and infrared modules into integrated payloads. Optech’s clients will now benefit from the full integration of GSI’s TerraPix systems with Optech’s world-class solutions.

“We are very pleased to join Optech’s growing global organization,” says Max Elbaz, President and CEO of GSI. “The integration of GSI imaging expertise with Optech lidar imaging expertise and their worldwide market leadership will increase the value we provide to our customers across vertical markets, and will strengthen our capabilities to further support the evolving needs of our common global customer base.”

GSI's current product line will be maintained and will evolve to meet the needs of Optech’s diverse client base. Leveraging GSI's existing engineering staff, GSI’s Rochester, NY location will become Optech’s base for imaging systems development.  The location will also be expanded to serve as the base for U.S. sales and support for Optech’s complete product lines for airborne, terrestrial and mobile applications. Mr. Elbaz will continue in his current position, and will lead Optech’s expansion in the U.S. commercial and ISR markets.

Visit http://www.optech.ca/ or http://www.geospatialsystems.com for more information.