New Zealand engineering and support company Edge Defence has acquired fellow kiwi defence business New Zealand Ocean Technology (NZOT) which support NZ Defence Force undersea activities.
Edge said this acquisition represented another step in developing sovereign New Zealand defence capability through local expertise, trusted international partnerships and long-term investment in advanced maritime technologies.
Under the deal, NZOT, founded 42 years ago, will continue to operate under its established brand with its experienced technical support team remaining in place.
The company will continue delivering through-life support, maintenance, engineering services and specialist capability from workshops located on the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Base at Devonport, while supporting customers throughout New Zealand and on specialist deployments including to Antarctica.
As part of the acquisition, John Gell has been appointed General Manager of NZOT and Director and Jack Towers has been promoted to Defence Services Manager.
Edge co-founder Andrew Edwards said this acquisition created exciting opportunities to expand engineering capability, strengthen support to the New Zealand Defence Force and bring innovative technologies to New Zealand through its global industry partnerships.
He said this acquisition brought together two complementary New Zealand defence suppliers.
While NZOT has built its reputation in underwater systems, sustainment and specialist maritime capability, EDGE Defence provides advanced defence technologies, systems integration, engineering and sovereign capability development, he said.
“NZOT has earned an exceptional reputation over the past 42 years by supporting those who protect New Zealand,” Edwards stated.
“Our priority is simply to preserve everything that customers value while investing in the next generation of capability, people and partnerships. Together with Edge Defence, we are building a stronger New Zealand-owned defence business that will continue delivering world-class support for decades to come.”
Gell said customers could expect continuity from day one.
“The technical support team, the relationships and the commitment to service remain unchanged. At the same time, this acquisition creates exciting opportunities to expand our engineering capability, strengthen support to the New Zealand Defence Force and bring innovative technologies to New Zealand through our global industry partnerships,” he indicated.