South coast aerospace and defence group Meggitt has acquired the Basingstoke company Lodge from the Smiths group for £33m.

The company manufactures aerospace sensors, transducers and industrial igniters. Lodge aerospace products are used in a variety of engines including Rolls-Royce, Honeywell, and Pratt & Whitney and ignition products are used in a range of applications from industrial turbines, to flare stacks, small gas and large power burners. The businesses employ more than 100 people and operate from the manufacturing site at Basingstoke and another at Rugby.

Meggitt, with operations based in Wimborne and at Fareham, will take over the leases for these sites, and says the acquisition will significantly enhance its presence in the aerospace sensor industry and in particular will enable the company to strengthen its market position for engine sensor packages.

Chief executive Terry Twigger, said: "This acquisition greatly increases our status as a supplier of sensors to engine manufacturers, particularly Rolls-Royce. As well as providing a significant amount of profitable business, the acquisition of Lodge offers an excellent opportunity to capitalise on the enlarged product range in both European and North American markets.''