Teledyne FLIR
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Thermal imaging |
| Predecessor | FLIR Systems Inc |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Portland, Oregon , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Jim Cannon (CEO as of 2017) |
| Products | Thermal imaging cameras and sensors |
| Parent | Teledyne Technologies |
Teledyne FLIR LLC, previously known as FLIR Systems Inc, has been a division of Teledyne Technologies since January 2021. The company focuses on the development and manufacturing of thermal imaging cameras and sensors. Its major clientele comprises government entities, with nearly 31% of its 2020 revenue originating from the federal government of the United States and associated agencies.
History
Established in 1978 under the name FLIR Systems, the company initially aimed to create cost-effective, high-performance infrared imaging solutions for use in airborne platforms. Originally headquartered in Tigard, Oregon, FLIR relocated its base to Portland, Oregon during the mid-1990s.
In 1990, FLIR expanded by acquiring the industrial infrared imaging division of Hughes Aircraft Company.
The company entered the public market through an initial public offering in June 1993, securing $12 million in capital.
Growth was further driven by a series of acquisitions: Agema Infrared System (Sweden) for $80 million in 1998; Inframetrics in 1999; Indigo Systems for $190 million in 2004; Directed Perception, a security hardware manufacturer, for $20 million in 2009; Raymarine, a marine GPS manufacturer undergoing bankruptcy, for $180 million in 2010; Lorex Technology for $60 million in 2012; DVTEL for around $92 million in 2015; Canadian Point Grey Research for $259 million in 2016; Prox Dynamics, known for the Black Hornet Nano drone, for $134 million in 2016; Aeryon Labs for $200 million in 2019; and Endeavor Robotics for $382 million also in 2019.
Leadership transitions included J. Kenneth Stringer III assuming the CEO role in 1999, followed by Earl Lewis after Stringer’s departure due to accounting irregularities in 2000. Andrew C. Teich took over as CEO in 2013, succeeded by Jim Cannon in 2017.
Between 2000 and 2002, FLIR confronted legal issues related to accounting practices, resulting in settlements of shareholder lawsuits and SEC charges. Additionally, in 2015, the company resolved Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations involving Saudi Arabian officials with a payment of $9.5 million.
From a strategic standpoint, FLIR broadened its offerings into automotive thermal imaging through collaboration with BMW starting in 2005; enhanced video surveillance capabilities by acquiring DVTEL; incorporated mobile thermal imaging technology into smartphones via partnerships with Bullitt Group and Caterpillar in 2016; and entered the military-grade unmanned vehicle market through acquisitions of Prox Dynamics and Endeavor Robotics.
The company also extended its global footprint by inaugurating a second headquarters located in Arlington County, Virginia, in 2019.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, FLIR introduced a thermal camera designed to detect elevated skin temperatures, which generated substantial demand but also caused supply chain challenges.
In early 2021, Teledyne Technologies finalized an $8 billion acquisition of FLIR Systems, completing the process by May. Following this transaction, FLIR operates under the name Teledyne FLIR LLC. This acquisition highlighted FLIR’s robust financial standing, evidenced by revenues close to $1.9 billion in 2019.
Products
FLIR caters to a diverse range of sectors, including:
- Surveillance and reconnaissance operations
- Protective measures for military forces
- Border security and maritime monitoring
- Safeguarding critical infrastructure
- Search and rescue missions
- Detection and target identification
- Law enforcement activities from the air
- Drug interdiction efforts
FLIR One
The FLIR ONE is a thermal imaging accessory compatible with Android and iOS smartphones, operating at a maximum of nine frames per second in compliance with U.S. regulations. Primarily designed for consumer use, it excels at identifying air and water leaks, representing FLIR’s entry-level product line.
AN/PVS-22
The AN/PVS-22 Universal Night Sight (UNS) is a clip-on night vision device derived from FLIR’s MilSight 105 platform. Engineered for precision long-distance targeting and capable of withstanding recoil from weapons up to .50 BMG, the device was initially co-developed by Knight's Armament Company and OSTI Inc. for SOCOM applications. The trademark "Universal Night Sight" became the subject of legal contention between KAC and OSTI. Currently, FLIR owns the rights to both the AN/PVS-22 and MilSight 105 designs, although the specifics of how these rights were acquired have not been publicly disclosed.
Operations
FLIR operates offices, production plants, and research and development centers in numerous strategic locations, including Nashua (New Hampshire), Goleta (California), North Billerica (Massachusetts), Orlando (Florida), Bozeman (Montana), Arlington County (Virginia), Chelmsford (Massachusetts), Ventura (California), Elkridge (Maryland), Freeport (Pennsylvania), Oak Ridge (Tennessee), Waterloo (Ontario), Victoria (British Columbia), West Lafayette (Indiana), Tallinn, Täby, Dubai, Hvalstad, and Fareham.
Notable product applications
In 2017, FLIR collaborated with WWF’s Wildlife Crime Technology Project, supported by a $5 million grant from Google. FLIR’s thermal imaging cameras were deployed throughout game reserves in Namibia, Kenya, South Africa, Malawi, and Zimbabwe to assist anti-poaching efforts using advanced thermal detection combined with drone technology.
On October 4, 2022, NASA selected FLIR’s Boson thermal LWIR camera module for integration into an inflatable re-entry heat shield design, showcasing the product’s sophisticated capabilities in aerospace technology.
Later that month, on October 25, 2022, FLIR was awarded a $48.7 million contract to provide Maritime Forward Looking Infrared (MARFLIR) II sensors along with SeaFLIR 280-HD surveillance systems to the United States Coast Guard, strengthening its foothold within defense-related surveillance markets.