Vectrus purchases electronic security tech outfit

Vectrus has acquired electronic security technology provider Advantor Systems Corp. for $44 million in cash to continue a push for growth in converged infrastructure work.

Advantor will add 150 employees to Vectrus and generated $35 million in revenue last year, according to a Monday release.

Orlando, Florida-headquartered Advantor was founded in 1965 and specializes in networked security technology with capabilities in command, control and communications. The company also touts a proprietary solution suite dubbed “ASN 6.2” that is designed to give clients real-time security monitoring and control functions.

The acquisition of Advantor furthers the strategy of Colorado Springs-based Vectrus to create synergies between physical and digital infrastructures for federal agencies. Vectrus purchased Sentel Corp. in January of last year as part of that push and to add footprints with intelligence and civilian customers.

This transaction “strengthens Vectrus as an innovator in the emerging converged infrastructure market and supports our strategy to advance Vectrus into a higher value, technology-enabled and differentiated platform," CEO Chuck Prow said in the release.

"Bringing decades of knowledge, experience, and technology that protects some of our nation's most critical facilities and bases, this acquisition extends our maintenance of facilities to the electronic protection and security of facilities.”

Advantor’s U.S. government customers include the Air Force, Air National Guard, Army, Navy and U.S. Forces Korea; plus the Homeland Security and State Departments. Japan’s ministry defense uses Advantor’s security offerings in that country’s fleet of F-35 fighter jets. The company’s geographic footprint covers the U.S., Europe, Middle East, Korea, Western Asia, Japan and the Caribbean Sea region.

Vectrus touted Advantor as one of three companies whose systems meet the Air Force’s set of Integrated Base Defense Security System requirements and having a significant presence in the Indo-Pacific command area of responsibility.

The deal also represents an exit by Advantor’s former owners Infrasafe and McCarthy Capital, the latter of which first entered the investment in 2010.

Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman was legal adviser to Vectrus. Raymond James & Associates was the investment banking adviser to Infrasafe, Advantor and McCarthy Capital. Latham & Watkins LP was legal adviser and RSM US LLP was tax adviser to the sellers.