Safran to potentially purchase most of L-1
16 July, 2010
category: Biometrics
Safran SA, a Paris-based developer of defense-related electronics, is in talks to buy the majority of biometrics developer L-1 Identity Solutions, according to a Bloomberg article. Safran is one of multiple bidders to purchase the company, who has seen big jumps in its stock price recently.
The purchase would fall in line with Safran’s hopes to establish a better presence in the biometrics industry following its announcement stating an expected 15% growth in the identification technology over the next five years.
The L-1 deal, however, could be getting slowed down due to other acquisitions Safran is looking at. Particularly its offer to purchase French aviation equipment maker Zodiac Aerospace earlier this month.
The interest in acquiring L-1 isn’t Safran’s first attempt at bringing more biometrics under its umbrella as it submitted a losing bid to purchase the identification unit of Digimarc in 2008. Safran is known to most in the biometrics space by names like Morphotrak and Morpho, formerly Sagem Morpho and Sagem Securite respectively.
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