EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, today announced the acquisition of 51% of Brazil-based CONDOR Non-Lethal Technologies (CONDOR), one of the top five industry leaders in Non-Lethal Technologies (NLT) worldwide.
The acquisition of a shareholding in CONDOR, which boasts the world’s largest portfolio of over 160 NLT products, will boost EDGE’s capabilities and propel the group to become a global leader in the highly specialised domains of defence, public, and homeland security.
Together, both companies plan to expand market share in different NLT segments globally, and to enter new strategically important markets such as the USA.
The deal was signed in Sao Paulo and was witnessed by the senior leadership teams of both companies.
CONDOR has a footprint in over 85 countries and is the world’s foremost producer of tear gas and related products for military, civil defence, military and public security scenarios, and a leader in other non-lethal products including controlled impact rubber ammunition, smoke grenades, explosive and smoke hand grenades, pyrotechnics, tactical operation kits, sprays, drones with chemical irritant agents and command & control capabilities, electrical incapacitating devices, and body-worn cameras with facial recognitions, among other products.
Hamad Al Marar, EDGE Group Managing Director and CEO, commented, “This is a hugely significant development for EDGE. Having CONDOR as part of the group opens up new avenues for sustainable global growth and innovation, enabling us to diversify our offerings by partnering with a proven world leader in the design and manufacture of sophisticated NLT solutions. It also clearly demonstrates that our strategy of forming valuable ‘win-win’ partnerships in Brazil and elsewhere is delivering tangible results and benefits to all parties internationally.
“Our world is currently experiencing a period of not only increased civil unrest, immigration crisis, and street protests, but also major concerns about the levels of force used in combat situations in populated environments, asymmetric warfare, and post-war damage control, where non-lethal technologies play a relevant role. The challenges and pressures faced by concerned stakeholders from local law enforcement and defence forces continue to grow as a result. By absorbing the experience and knowledge provided by CONDOR, EDGE is able to bolster its capabilities to deliver to customers an unbeatable and centralised range of technologies for the protection of life and human rights in multiple scenarios and situations.”
The global market in NLTs last year was worth approximately US$6 billion and is expected to grow significantly by the end of the decade.
Carlos Erane de Aguiar, CEO and founder of CONDOR, said, “CONDOR is one of the most experienced and advanced global leaders in non-lethal technologies, and this partnership with EDGE, which has demonstrated its faith in the capabilities of our company and in Brazil itself, further strengthens our commitment to building a safer future for all.”
He noted that CONDOR’s founders have full confidence in the ongoing commitment from both parties to pursue excellence through continuous innovation. They believe this partnership will contribute to local economic growth in Rio de Janeiro and the UAE, leveraging the expertise of their executives and EDGE Group’s economies of scale to enhance Brazil’s defence and public security ecosystem.