ROMULUS, MI -- Saturn Electronics has acquired Alpharetta,GA-based printed circuit board fabricator Belair Systems for an undisclosed sum.

Saturn has renamed the unit Saturn Flex Systems, a nod to its flex circuit capability.

The deal was completed Aug. 1, and Saturn was most interested in Belair's flex and printed electronics technology.

"It wasn’t a targeted acquisition," Saturn vice president Yash Sutariya said. "It was one of those personal quests to get into technology that we don't offer at Saturn. It’s complementary – not just the technology – but the operations. They have good people operating the place."

Belair has flex, rigid-flex and multilayer flex capability. Saturn specializes in rigid, Sutariya said, giving it "excellent" cross-selling opportunities.

The privately held Belair has been in business since 1979. At its peak Belair had about 300 employees. [Disclosure: Belair founder Gary Smith was the original owner of what is now PCD&F.] Saturn plans to provide financial backing and sales and marketing expertise.

According to Sutariya, Belair owned the building it is located in, and which Saturn will lease. Meanwhile, Saturn is purchasing equipment to "plug holes, increase capability and refresh equipment," Sutariya said.

"I think these guys are a hidden gem. They don't do just straight flex, but are very good at printed electronics. I know it’s a booming industry outside of PCB world, but we want to put more focus on what they’ve done and tossed into the shoebox over the years."

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