An unprecedented swathe of small US high-tech companies changed hands at the end of 1986, with Uccel Corp probably the biggest spender, lashing out $60m on four companies (CI No 592). Dynatech Corp went one better than Uccel, snapping up five privately-held companies, microcomputer manufacturer Cromemco Inc being the best-known outside the US. The others are Bradley Telcom Corp, Computerized Medical Systems, Hibshman Corp and Trontech Inc. The five have aggregate annual sales of about $25m. Bradley Telcom is a New Jersey-based designer and manufacturer of telecommunications test equipment, and will become part of Dynatech’s Data Communications Group. Cromemco, a California-based personal computer pioneer that has moved up into the supermicro end of the market, will join the Video Communications and Test and Measurement Instruments Group. Computerized Medical Systems, a Missouri manufacturer of radiation treatment planning systems, will join the Diagnostics Division. California-based Hibshman is a manfacturer of precision optics and will join the Scientific Instruments Group. Trontech, based in New Jersey, will be added to the Microwave Division of the Video Communications and Test and Measurement Instruments Group. It is a manufacturer of electronic amplifiers used by military contractors and communications equipment suppliers. Explaining the remarkable splurge, Dynatech president J P Barger said a window of opportunity was opened whereby we were able to add these dynamic companies along with their executives and staff. Dynatech, based in Burlington, Massachusetts, describes itself as a high technology company specialising in niche products for the communications, scientific and medical markets. It has over 50 facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.
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