A YORK laser technology company has bought a Canadian business in multimillion-dollar deal.

Laser measurement technology specialist Measurement Devices Ltd (MDL), which designs and develops robotic laser surveying and mapping technology, has bought Thomas Engineering (TEC), based in Manotick, Ottawa, as part of its strategy to create a global laser measurement, manufacturing and distribution and services business.

The new business, MDL Canada Ltd, will focus on sales and service to the fast-growing Canadian mining, quarrying and surveying industry.

MDL already supplied its mining and quarrying industry products to the Canadian market through TEC, which employs 12 people.

The company has also provided MDL equipment and after-sales services to many uranium, gold, nickel, and zinc mining operations throughout Canada including Goldcorp, Vale, Xstrata and Cameco.

MDL founder and chairman Steve Ball said: “The global laser surveying industry is set to grow by 50 per cent in the next two years. This will certainly be reflected in Canada where there are vast resource developments and very few people to do this specialist work.

“MDL is doubling in size every two years in spite of the tough economic climate and we now aim to double turnover at MDL Canada Ltd in the next twelve months and create many new jobs as we grow the business across western Canada and into other industrial sectors as part of our global expansion and consolidation.”

Last year MDL bought Melbourne-based MDL (Australia) Pty Ltd from mining and construction services business Jeminex Pty Ltd, and has also developed a significant presence in Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Russia and China.