Rockwell Collins selling Kaiser Optics unit to Swiss company

Rockwell Collins has reached an agreement to sell its Kaiser Optical Systems subsidiary to Endress+Hauser of Switzerland.

Terms of the agreement are undisclosed. The sale is expected to be completed in early fiscal 2014 and is subject to customary closing conditions.

Kaiser Optical Systems in Ann Arbor, Mich., is a leader in spectrographic instrumentation and applied holographic technology. It was acquired by Rockwell Collins in 2000 as part of the purchase of K Systems Inc., the corporate parent of Kaiser Aerospace and Electronics.

Principal products include Raman sensors and instrumentation, advanced holographic components for spectroscopy, telecommunications, astronomy and ultra-fast sciences, and components for aircraft display systems. The products and services are deployed in a variety of applications including defense, pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing, nanotechnology, telecommunications and education.

"This divestiture is part of an overall strategy to accelerate Rockwell Collins' focus on growth opportunities in its addressed markets," said Kelly Ortberg,Rockwell Collins president and CEO. "Kaiser Optical also benefits by joining an organization that concentrates on the primary industries it serves."

With the acquisition of Kaiser Optical Systems, Klaus Endress, CEO of Endress+Hauser, said his company is expanding its  range in the field of advanced analytics for liquids, gases and solids.

"In addition, we are strengthening our optical technology and manufacturing competence,” said Endress said. "The Raman technology enlarges our offering for customers in core industries."

The sale of Kaiser Optical Systems comes within weeks of Rockwell Collins' announcement that it has agreed to buy ARINC Inc., a leader in communications and information processing solutions for the commercial aviation industry, for $1.39 billion.

ARINC, owned by The Carlyle Group, is expected to post 2103 revenues in excess of $600 million. When completed, the deal will shift the balance of Rockwell Collins business to roughly 54 percent commercial and 46 percent government.