Shipbuilder buys Canberra-based ATI

ASX-listed shipbuilder Austal has reached an agreement to acquire Canberra-based systems integrator Australian Technology Information (ATI).

The shipbuilder, which designs and builds high performance aluminium vessels for the defence and commercial markets, did not disclose the purchase price but said the deal will expand Austal's services and products to global defence customers.

Austal chief operating officer Andrew Bellamy said ATI's systems engineering and associated technologies for the Australian Defence Forces complemented Austal's design and production capability in the defence sector.

He told CRN that the company's intention was to grow its capability in defence "so we become a defence contractor both in terms of service and ship building."

ATI turned over $6.1 million in the last financial year, according to Austal's statement to the ASX.  

Managing director Brian Mansell would continue to lead the business, Bellamy said. 

"It's a good business that's founded on people. It's about some smart people with some know how that we think can complement our own smart people," he said. 

Bellamy said Austal was likely to keep the ATI branding although the details were not finalised. 

ATI provides systems engineering and integration, information technology, verification and validation systems and deployable tactical command centres to the Australian Defence Forces.