EADS snaps us PlantCML

European defense contractor EADS is expanding its North American reach with the purchase this week of PlantCML, of Temecula, Calif., a provider of emergency response solutions, for $350 million.

PlantCML provides solutions for call dispatch centers and emergency control rooms for fire departments and other emergency responders, along with computer-aided dispatch, mapping and emergency notification services.

EADS said it purchased PlantCML from Golden Gate Capital, a San Francisco-based private equity fund, through the operating subsidiary EADS North America. PlantCML will become part of the North American business portfolio.

The acquisition is expected to help EADS in selling it professional mobile radio solutions into the U.S. market, the company said.

"Bringing PlantCML into our business portfolio further enhances EADS North America's capabilities in ensuring the homeland security of the United States," Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., chief executive officer of EADS North America, said in a news release. "The resources of PlantCML are a perfect match with our growing homeland security and public safety activity, which already includes turnkey professional mobile radio systems and network security training."

PlantCML has more than 620 employees with operations in Alabama, California, Indiana and Tennessee, and a Canadian operation in Quebec. Its capabilities include radio dispatch, computer telephony integrated workstations, computer-aided dispatch, records management, mobile data, digital logging recording, voice-over-Internet protocol, and next-generation 911 emergency messaging solutions.