Pittsburgh based rail tech firm LB Foster has acquired British companies Skratch and Intelligent Video (IV).

LB Foster produces mobile, wireless, and digital customer information signage systems for use in railway stations and airports. Telford based Skratch specialises in digital system integration within the UK. The company brings advanced digital display technology and capabilities to LB Foster that can be leveraged in both the rail space and adjacent retail markets.

Leamington based IV is a developer of surveillance, security, and safety solutions. They have provided sub-contracting services for LB Foster’s Remote Condition Monitoring (RCM) and Inform Visual Communications solutions. IV also provides LB Foster with enhanced technical resources for a variety of existing and developing solutions.

Skratch has established a niche market position, offering a single-point supply solution model for clients, and enabling large scale deployments. Its service offerings include design, prototyping and proof of concept, hardware & software, logistics & warehousing, installation, maintenance, Content Management (CMS), and managed monitoring. The single-point solution model provides a streamlined project delivery methodology that reduces complexity for the end user.

LB Foster has collaborated with Skratch on digital solutions for the retail sector in the past, including the first digital signage application using British Sign Language interpreters in ASDA superstores, a British supermarket chain.

John Kasel, President and Chief Executive Officer of LB Foster Company commented, “These acquisitions fit neatly into the growth strategy LB Foster announced in 2021. The accomplished team at Skratch delivers new learning, expertise, and experience that complements existing LB Foster growth businesses, and enables access to wider target markets in the UK and Europe. IV provides expertise and capabilities that help enable our aspiration to grow our technology-focused solutions offering.”

Skratch and IV collectively employ 38 people at their Telford and Leamington Spa offices. Both Skratch and IV will operate as standalone subsidiaries within the LB Foster group of companies.

LB Foster employs over 450 people in the UK and employs approximately 1,300 worldwide.