Analogic Corporation

Analogic Corporation was an American technology company whose principal activities covered medical imaging and aviation security. Founded by engineer and entrepreneur Bernard M. Gordon, the business began as Gordon Engineering in 1963 and adopted the Analogic name in 1967. Its development work centered on precision electronics, digital waveform analysis, signal processing, and computational imaging. Over time, Analogic became an important supplier of imaging systems and subsystems to original equipment manufacturers and healthcare institutions rather than a consumer-facing medical-services brand. The company’s healthcare portfolio included technologies and equipment associated with computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and digital mammography. Its engineering work included an early digitally computed CT imaging system, portable and mobile CT scanners, and components used in MRI systems. Analogic also expanded its ultrasound capabilities through the acquisition of Ultrasonix Medical Corporation in 2013. The company’s role in the healthcare market often involved supplying complete systems to original equipment manufacturers or providing specialized detection, electronics, gradient-amplifier, and signal-processing technologies that could be integrated into broader diagnostic platforms. Analogic maintained a second major business in aviation and transportation security. It developed baggage-screening and checkpoint systems, including computed-tomography-based explosives-detection technology. Its security work applied imaging, motion control, and analytical processing to airport screening environments. Among the company’s notable engineering claims was the development of a three-dimensional, multislice, dual-energy CT system for explosives detection. The company expanded its manufacturing footprint internationally, opening a facility in Shanghai in December 2009. It also acquired Copley Controls in 2008, adding expertise in gradient amplifiers used in MRI systems, and bought Ultrasonix Medical Corporation in 2013 to broaden its ultrasound imaging business and customer base. In April 2018, Analogic was reported to employ approximately 1,500 people worldwide, including about 800 at its Peabody, Massachusetts headquarters and main facility. Analogic operated as a publicly traded company for part of its history, but an affiliate of private-equity firm Altaris Capital Partners acquired it in 2018. The transaction ended Analogic’s independent public-company status. Because the business subsequently became privately held and the available reference material provides limited information about its later organizational structure, its current operating status and ownership details beyond the acquisition are not fully established here.

Bernard M. Gordon founded Gordon Engineering in the United States in 1963. The company was renamed Analogic Corporation in 1967, reflecting its emphasis on analog and digital electronics, instrumentation, and computational signal processing. Gordon and his engineering team pursued technologies that connected electronic measurement with real-time computation and imaging. The company’s early development work included digital waveform-analysis and computing instrumentation, establishing an engineering base that later supported medical and security applications. Analogic subsequently became associated with medical imaging innovation. Its work included an early computed tomography system described as an “instant imaging” CT system, as well as portable and mobile CT scanners. The company developed imaging detectors, electronics, signal-processing systems, and other technologies that could be incorporated into equipment used by healthcare providers and medical-device manufacturers. Its medical-imaging activities covered CT, MRI, and digital mammography. The business was therefore positioned primarily as a technology and equipment supplier, with many products sold to original equipment manufacturers rather than directly to patients or consumers. The company broadened its MRI capabilities in 2008 by acquiring Copley Controls, a Canton, Massachusetts company known for supplying gradient amplifiers for MRI systems. In December 2009, Analogic opened a manufacturing facility in Shanghai, extending its production footprint beyond the United States. In 2013, it acquired Ultrasonix Medical Corporation, a Vancouver-based sonography company founded in 2000. The acquisition expanded Analogic’s ultrasound business and gave it access to Ultrasonix’s installed base of approximately 5,000 systems worldwide. The reference material states that Ultrasonix had manufacturing sites in Vancouver and Englewood, Colorado, both of which were subsequently closed following the acquisition. Alongside healthcare, Analogic developed a substantial aviation-security business. Its products included baggage-screening and checkpoint systems for airports, together with explosives-detection technologies. The company applied CT imaging and advanced signal processing to security screening, including a three-dimensional, multislice, dual-energy CT system designed to identify explosives. Motion-control technologies were also part of the airport-security portfolio. This combination of medical imaging and aviation security distinguished Analogic from companies focused exclusively on clinical equipment. During its later years as a public company, Analogic maintained its headquarters and principal facility in Peabody, Massachusetts. A company profile from April 2018 described a global workforce of about 1,500, with approximately 800 employees based at the Peabody site. The company received recognition in industry and regional employer rankings, including inclusion in Electronic Design’s 2012 list of leading employers and the Boston Globe’s 2013 list of top Massachusetts companies. Leadership changed in 2016 when Jim Green stepped down as chief executive after approximately nine years. Fred B. Parks succeeded him, and Tom Ripp was identified as chief executive in later company information available before the acquisition. In 2018, an affiliate of Altaris Capital Partners acquired Analogic. The transaction took the company private and ended its existence as an independent listed corporation. The available source material does not provide enough reliable detail to characterize the company’s subsequent corporate structure or current operating status, so those matters remain open.

1. 2018Analogic becomes privately held

   An affiliate of Altaris Capital Partners acquires Analogic, removing it from independent public-company ownership.

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2. 2016Chief executive transition

   Jim Green steps down as CEO and is succeeded by Fred B. Parks.

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3. 2013Ultrasonix Medical Corporation acquisition

   Analogic acquires Ultrasonix to expand its ultrasound imaging line and international installed base.

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4. 2009Shanghai manufacturing facility opens

   Analogic opens a manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China.

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5. 2008Copley Controls acquisition

   Analogic acquires Copley Controls, adding MRI gradient-amplifier technology to its medical-imaging capabilities.

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6. 1967Company adopts the Analogic name

   Gordon Engineering is renamed Analogic Corporation as the business develops its electronics, instrumentation, and signal-processing activities.

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7. 1963Gordon Engineering is founded

   Bernard M. Gordon establishes Gordon Engineering, the predecessor to Analogic Corporation.

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A business-to-business medical-imaging and security-technology supplier serving healthcare equipment manufacturers, healthcare facilities, airports, and transportation-security authorities.

• Computed tomography systemsDiagnostic imaging

  Analogic developed CT imaging systems and related technologies for healthcare applications. Its engineering work included an early digitally computed “instant imaging” CT system as well as portable and mobile scanners. CT products were supplied to healthcare facilities and original equipment manufacturers.

• Digital mammography systemsDiagnostic imaging

  The company provided digital mammography equipment and imaging technology for breast-imaging applications. These products formed part of Analogic’s broader medical-imaging portfolio and were marketed through healthcare and OEM channels rather than as consumer products.

• MRI systems and gradient amplifiersDiagnostic imaging

  Analogic supplied MRI-related technologies, including gradient amplifiers obtained and strengthened through its acquisition of Copley Controls in 2008. The products supported the electronic and signal-control functions required by magnetic-resonance imaging equipment.

• Ultrasound imaging systemsDiagnostic imaging2013

  Analogic expanded into ultrasound through its 2013 acquisition of Ultrasonix Medical Corporation. The transaction added sonography equipment, manufacturing capabilities, and an installed base reported at approximately 5,000 systems globally.

• Airport baggage and checkpoint screening systemsAviation security

  Analogic developed imaging-based systems for airport baggage inspection and checkpoint screening. The products were intended for transportation-security environments and used imaging, analysis, and motion-control technologies to support the examination of baggage and passengers.

• Explosives-detection CT systemsAviation security

  The company developed three-dimensional, multislice, dual-energy CT technology for explosives detection. These systems applied advanced computed tomography and image analysis to airport and transportation-security screening.

• 2018Take-private acquisition by Altaris affiliateM&A

  Analogic operated as a public company before agreeing to a transaction with an affiliate of private-equity firm Altaris Capital Partners.

  What changed. The Altaris affiliate acquired Analogic Corporation.

  Aftermath. Analogic became privately held and ceased operating as an independent listed company. Later public information about its corporate structure is limited.

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• 2016Change in chief executiveOther

  Jim Green stepped down after serving as chief executive for approximately nine years.

  What changed. Fred B. Parks succeeded Green as chief executive.

  Aftermath. Tom Ripp was identified as the company’s chief executive in later pre-acquisition company information.

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• 2013Acquire Ultrasonix Medical CorporationM&A

  Analogic pursued a strategic expansion of its ultrasound imaging product line and customer base.

  What changed. Analogic acquired Ultrasonix Medical Corporation, a Vancouver-based sonography-equipment company.

  Aftermath. The acquisition added an installed base reported at approximately 5,000 systems worldwide. The reference material states that Ultrasonix manufacturing plants in Vancouver and Englewood, Colorado were later closed.

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• 2008Acquire Copley ControlsM&A

  Analogic sought to strengthen its medical-imaging technology portfolio, particularly in MRI-related electronics.

  What changed. The company acquired Copley Controls, a Massachusetts supplier of MRI gradient amplifiers.

  Aftermath. The transaction expanded Analogic’s MRI component and subsystem capabilities.

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• 2018Analogic acquired by an affiliate of Altaris Capital Partners

  An affiliate of private-equity firm Altaris Capital Partners acquired Analogic, ending the company’s status as an independent publicly traded business.

  M&A
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• 2016Jim Green steps down as chief executive

  Jim Green left the chief executive role after approximately nine years, and Fred B. Parks succeeded him.

  Leadership change
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• 2013Analogic acquires Ultrasonix Medical Corporation

  Analogic acquired Vancouver-based ultrasound-equipment company Ultrasonix Medical Corporation to expand its ultrasound imaging portfolio and customer base.

  M&A
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• 2009Analogic opens manufacturing facility in Shanghai

  The company expanded its manufacturing presence into China with a facility in Shanghai.

  Other
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• 2008Analogic acquires Copley Controls

  Analogic acquired Copley Controls, a Massachusetts supplier of gradient amplifiers used in MRI systems.

  M&A
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1. Analogic Corporation