Woolpert Buys Geomatics Data Solutions (USA)

Woolpert announced today that the firm has acquired Geomatics Data Solutions (GDS), an international hydrographic and bathymetric survey firm.

Through this acquisition, Woolpert will expand its aerial and land surveying services to now include hydrographic surveying. GDS will complement Woolpert’s geospatial capabilities with technology and expertise in hydrographic surveying and data processing, which is critical in providing accurate nautical charting and improving marine navigation.

“Acquiring two of the world’s leading hydrographic and bathymetric surveying experts, Woolpert will be able to expand its geospatial capabilities to provide complete hydrographic solutions across the globe,” said Jeff Lovin, CP, Woolpert vice president and director of photogrammetry and remote sensing. “Through this acquisition, federal clients such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Geological Survey will be able to obtain coastal and shallow water mapping data through a single resource.”

GDS co-owners Carol Lockhart and Dushan Arumugam join Woolpert with more than 30 years of combined experience developing spatial workflows and processing marine and terrestrial survey data. Widely recognized as international experts in the hydrographic and bathymetric surveying profession, Lockhart and Arumugam have served as lead hydrographers on numerous multibeam and LiDAR projects across five continents since 1999. Lockhart and Arumugam are two of only a handful of professionals in the world who have worked with Laser Airborne Depth Sounder (LADS), Scanning Hydrographic Operational Airborne Lidar Survey (SHOALS) and HawkEye II bathymetric LiDAR data. Most recently, they reduced the processing time for HawkEye II LiDAR data by 75 percent.

“This acquisition is very exciting for us,” said Lockhart. “It allows us to continue to grow our hydrographic services, within a company that shares our strong commitment to high quality and outstanding customer service.”

Both Lockhart and Arumugam were recent recipients of the LCDR Peter Johnson Best Practices Award, recognizing a major scientific achievement in airborne LiDAR bathymetry and coastal mapping and charting.

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Source: prweb, July 20, 2011;