L&T acquires UK-based Thalest Group for 3.2 million pounds

Engineering and construction major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) today said it has acquired 100% stake in UK-based Thalest and that it will offer cutting edge technology in control and automation space in marine space.

The group's Electrical and Automation business, which has a presence in this space with marine electrical and automation solutions, has acquired the stake at 3.2 million pounds. Thalest, which is the holding company of Servowatch Systems, Bond Instrumentation and Process Control and Servowatch (USA), is into integrated platform management system and integrated bridge system solutions for naval warships and mercantile marine ships, vessels and floating systems.

L&T's E&A business has been present in this space with marine electrical and automation solutions. "In the marine space, we are currently developing marinised switchgear, switchboards, distribution boards, starters and control systems for application onboard naval ships as well as commercial ships. With this acqusition, we will be able to offer cutting edge technology in control and automation space not only for marine application but also for other emerging segments," the company's senior vice president SC Bhargava told PTI.

Servowatch, which has presence in dealing with the navies of the US, UK, India, Australia and Thailand, is one of the leading suppliers of advanced integrated ship control systems including alarm and monitoring, automation, platform management and bridge, navigation, communication and multimedia packages, into both new build and retro-fit markets. "Thalest/Servowatch's deep understanding of the control and automation space will open new vistas in other markets and segments," he said.