Rockwell Collins to Acquire Matrix Series Projector Product Lines from Christie Digital Systems
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (January 26, 2016) – Rockwell Collins today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of the Matrix series projector product lines from Christie Digital Systems (“Christie®”). The transaction will give military customers a more comprehensive partner for all their​ current and future simulation and training projector needs.
Rockwell Collins will acquire the Matrix StIM™â€‹, Matrix SIM WU and WQ product lines, and gain exclusive rights to sell other projection products and associated software tools from Christie to military and aerospace simulation and training customers. The projectors will continue to be manufactured by Christie Digital Systems with system engineering, integration, service and support provided by Rockwell Collins. In addition, Rockwell Collins will provide service and support for all future Matrix offerings.
“Rockwell Collins’ expertise and relatio​nships in the military and aerospace training market, coupled with Christie Digital Systems’ technology, will deliver strong value to this growing customer base well into the future,” said LeAnn Ridgeway, vice president and general manager, Simulation and Training Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “This relationship will enable Christie to focus on core strengths in product design, development, and manufacturing of projection technology and allows Rockwell Collins, through its network of customers and relationships, to bring the best products to the simulation and training market.”
“As the leading experts in military simulation, Rockwell Collins brings an unequalled depth of understanding and customer intimacy to these markets,” said Jack Kline, chairman, president and CEO, Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. “Christie is excited to support Rockwell Collins with Christie’s engineering and design strengths, to provide products that will exceed customer expectations in the simulation markets for the next 15 to 20 years,” added Kline.
The Matrix series of projectors complements other offerings from Rockwell Collins, including the Rockwell Collins ProSimTM ultra contrast projector, which was awarded the Blue Ribbon for Innovation by Military Training Technology in 2014; the EP-8100 image generator, as well as other third-party projector solutions. For example, the Rockwell Collins EP-8100 image generator has been designed to leverage the dual input capabilities of the Matrix StIM and now provides both out the window and IR band images from a single channel.
The Christie Matrix Series has won similar plaudits. For example, its unique capability to deliver true 120Hz RGB operation in simulator visual systems earned Christie a coveted 2014 Innovation Award from Military Training Technology. And in February 2011, the Christie Matrix StIM™ was named a Blue Ribbon award winner for innovation by Military Training Technology, and Christie itself was named one of the publication’s Top Simulation and Training for 2010.
The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and is anticipated to close by the end of March 2016.
About Christie®
Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. is a global visual and audio technologies company and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ushio, Inc., Japan, (JP:6925). Consistently setting the standards by being the first to market some of the world’s most advanced projectors and complete system displays, Christie is recognized as one of the most innovative visual technology companies in the world. From retail displays to Hollywood, mission critical command centers to classrooms and training simulators, Christie display solutions and projectors capture the attention of audiences around the world with dynamic and stunning images. Visit www.christiedigital.com.