By Eric Fetters
Herald Writer
EVERETT — Fluke Corp. has purchased three biomedical instrument companies that make test equipment for the health care industry.
The Everett-based company said Thursday that it has acquired DNI Nevada, Dale Technologies and part of Bio-Tek Instruments. The three firms previously comprised the biomedical instruments division of Vermont-based Lionheart Technologies Inc.
"It offers us a great opportunity for expanding our presence in health care, an important and growing market," Fluke president Jim Lico said in announcing the deal. The financial terms were not disclosed.
Fluke officials said Lionheart’s biomedical division has a well-established customer base and a good reputation.
"Biomedical technicians do use Fluke tools already, so they know us. But they’re not the same kind of tools offered by the companies we have bought," said Larry Wilson, Fluke’s public relations manager.
Fluke’s main products are hand-held test tools used by technicians and engineers.
DNI Nevada, Dale Technologies and Bio-Tek Instruments’ biomedical business develop and manufacture test equipment and software used in hospitals, the military and medical devices companies. The division’s products include heart defibrillator analyzers, patient simulators and quality assurance software.
Briar Alpert, president of Lionheart, said selling the biomedical instruments division allows his company to focus on microplate instrumentation, software and robotic systems. Those products serve the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.
Fluke has not yet chosen a name for the biomedical instruments division, which will have its headquarters in Carson City, Nev., where DNI Nevada is located. A former president of Bio-Tek’s European office will lead the division.
Wilson said Fluke doesn’t expect to make "any appreciable changes" to the size of the division’s staff, which numbers about 100 people.
This acquisition is the second in a year for Fluke Corp. Last May, the company expanded its test and measurement equipment line through the purchase of Lifschultz Industries Inc. and its subsidiary, Hart Scientific Inc.
Founded by the late John Fluke Sr. in 1948 and moved to Snohomish County in 1959, Fluke is one of the area’s largest employers. Though it is now a subsidiary of the Danaher Corp., it retains its Everett headquarters, where the company oversees the work of about 2,400 people worldwide.
You can call Herald Writer Eric Fetters at 425-339-3453 or send e-mail to fetters@heraldnet.com.
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