Andor buys US firm Apogee for 拢2.3m

Image caption, Andor Technology is one of Northern Ireland's fastest growing firms.

Andor Technologies, the Belfast-based scientific camera manufacturer, has bought a California imaging firm in a deal worth up to 拢2.5m

Andor will pay 拢2.3m in cash for Apogee Imaging Systems.

Up to 拢200,000 more could follow depending on the performance of the business.

Apogee employs 19 people at its base in Roseville where it makes cameras which are used in fields like astronomy.

It is Andor's second acquisition in recent weeks.

Earlier this month it bought Spectral Applied Research of Toronto in a 拢19m deal.

Spectral makes highly sensitive optical equipment used by cell biology researchers.

Conor Walsh, chief executive of Andor, said the latest deal was 'a strategic acquisition' for Andor, as it significantly broadens the firm's mid-range camera range.

He added: 'I am delighted to welcome the Apogee team to Andor, building on our recent acquisition of Spectral Applied Research.

"We are confident both businesses will contribute positively to the expanded Andor group."