Chester, Connecticut-based Whelen Engineering acquired LoPresti Aviation and spun off its aviation division to combine the companies into a single organization called Whelen Aerospace Technologies (WAT), the companies announced on Friday. “Whelen’s aviation division and LoPresti together create a major competitor within the aviation lighting market,” they said.

Sebastian, Florida-based LoPresti Aviation offers aviation lighting, in addition to aircraft speed modifications, and holds more than 500 STCs, many for its BoomBeam high-intensity discharge (HID) light kits for general and business aviation aircraft. Meanwhile, Whelen Engineering designs and manufactures warning lights, white illumination lighting, sirens, controllers, and high-powered warning systems for automotive, aviation, and mass-notification industries.

“WAT enables both companies to combine resources and deliver distinct technologies to the aviation market,” said Whelen president and CEO George Whelen. “This transaction allows us to harness our collective resources, capabilities, and market positions to even better serve the industry globally.”

LoPresti CEO Tyler Wheeler is now the CEO of Sebastian-based Whelen Aerospace Technologies.