A Gorham company that makes high-power microwave components used in applications such as food processing, advanced medical imaging, radar and fusion research, acquired a similar company that will help broaden its portfolio.
Microwave Techniques acquired Symphony Microwave Technologies in Nashua, N.H.
Symphony, established in 2019, is a design and manufacturing group specializing in high-power components and systems for industrial, medical, military, scientific and commercial applications.
“Bringing these organizations together is a strategic step that we believe aligns complementary strengths, improves resource optimization and advances our collective ability to serve global industries with high-performance devices and equipment,” said Jim Detert, CEO of Microwave Techniques.
With the acquisition, Microwave Techniques will have 145 employees.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Microwave Techniques, founded in 1973, is a sister company of Elmet Technologies LLC, a metallurgical company in Lewiston. Both are part of the same holding company, the Elmet Group. In addition to its Gorham site, Microwave Techniques has a facility in Hamburg, Germany, that was part of its 2023 acquisition of Valvo Bauelemente GmbH.
Diverse uses
Microwave and RF technology have diverse uses, a Microwave Techniques spokesperson told Mainebiz. Some applications in everyday life include food processing to make pre-cooked bacon or to thaw meat.
For medical applications, the technology is used for components in oncology treatment and for advanced imaging and radiotherapy research. In defense, it is used in airborne, naval and ground-based radar systems for surveillance, targeting and navigation. Air traffic control and weather tracking radar use similar technology. It is also utilized in security and inspection applications such as baggage and cargo screening.
On the scientific front, components, assemblies and systems are utilized in high-energy physics research at national laboratories and global research institutions for fusion research and renewable energy applications.
The technology is used in commercial radar, antenna, communications, broadcast and satellite applications.
With the acquisition, it’s expected that the combined engineering and R&D teams and added capacity will accelerate both projects and innovation.
