Ontic has acquired SIRS Navigation, a Kent-based specialist in the design and manufacture of precision standby magnetic compasses for the global aviation industry.
SIRS Navigation has been designing, manufacturing and supporting aviation magnetic compasses for more than 60 years. Its products are installed across major commercial and business aviation platforms, including fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft, with tens of thousands of units in service worldwide.
The company supplies compasses to aircraft manufacturers for installation on production lines, while also providing replacement units to operators and distributors through the aftermarket. It operates a 24/7 global support network covering logistical and technical assistance.
SIRS Navigation’s compass designs, originally acquired from GE Aerospace, have been continuously developed in-house. The company also provides customised designs to meet specific customer and aircraft requirements.
Ontic said the acquisition underlines its strategy of investing in specialist aerospace businesses with established intellectual property and long-standing positions across aircraft platforms.
JC Gallagher, Ontic’s new CEO, said SIRS Navigation had built a “market-leading position” and a strong reputation across the aviation industry over more than five decades.
“This acquisition is about providing continuity and long-term commitment to its customers, while giving the business a home where it can continue to thrive,” Gallagher said.
