Fugro acquires EarthData

The Netherlands, 10 April 2007: Fugro, Netherland based Technical consultancy providing a wide range of on- and off-shore geological, geotechnical and geoenvironmental investigation services, has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of the USA based EarthData group which has its main office in Frederick, Maryland and includes Horizons Inc., based in Rapid City, South Dakota.

EarthData is one of the leading provider of innovative airborne mapping, remote sensing and geographic information services used by US government agencies as well as commercial clients. The company is active in market sectors such as urban planning, natural resource management and engineering activities.

In addition to its activities in the US, EarthData provides international data acquisition services and has a data processing center in China. EarthData/Horizons has a fleet of twelve aircraft and a variety of sensors which include state-of-the-art digital cameras, laser mapping systems and a unique airborne radar mapping technology called GeoSAR. The EarthData group of companies has an annual turnover of approximately EUR 40 million and about 340 employees in the USA and China.

Fugro is establishing a global Geospatial Services business by combining its existing ‘Onshore survey’ business line and elements of the satellite positioning activities. The EarthData group and MAPS Geosolutions will form part of this business line.

Source: www.fugro.com/news/