Expansion and Diversification Eyed by LaBarge

As we have written about in the past it can be hard sometimes for a defense contractor to expand beyond the military realm. LaBarge, a St. Louis based company that manufactures wiring harnesses, is trying to do that. The Morning News in Arkansas writes about the companies attempt to move into the commercial and medical sectors as well as maintaining its defense work. LaBarge recently purchased Pensar Electronics Solutions which makes commercial products. They also recently received a contract from BAE to make harnesses for M2 Bradley's which that company is refurbishing. For many defense contractors buying a company with a commercial product is one way to expand. Another is to take military products and try to move them on the commercial side if there is a market and DoD will allow you to sell the product.