Frisco company moving to join Richardson's Telecom Corridor

 

When police or firefighters take call to respond to an emergency, it's possible that North Texas played a part in the technology that made the communication possible. 

 

Now, one of the companies that specializes in the that field is poised for growth.

 

Cassidian Communications, a telecom firm that works in the public safety arena, has announced plans to move its Land Mobile Radio business unit and move about 40 employees from Frisco to Richardson this summer. The move adds another company to Richardson's Telecom Corridor and contributes to the area's growing field of telecommunications related to public safety systems.

"There are a number of companies in the Richardson area that are involved or are providing different parts of the public safety infrastructure, and this certainly puts us closer to them," said Michael Doerk, director of marketing for Cassidian Communications.

 

The Land Mobile Radio unit supports Cassidian's public safety radio communications operations across North America. California-based Cassidian is a subsidiary of EADS North America, the United States holding company for the parent of such companies as Airbus and Eurocopter.

 

EADS does not break out revenue for its Cassidian businesses, Doerk said.

 

The Land Mobile Radio unit has leased 13,634 square feet at 1301 W. President George Bush Turnpike, in the Granite 190 Business Park.

 

"We're looking at expanding from 40 to 65 people in the next year or so," said Roy McClellan, vice president and chief technologist. "We needed to find more space, and we wanted to find that space more centrally located to where we could draw employees from."

 

The office covers engineering, project management, product line management and marketing duties.

 

Richardson did not offer incentives to support Cassidian's move, said John Jacobs, senior vice president of the Richardson Economic Development Partnership.

 

The company reflects the diversity of the telecom industry these days, he said.

 

"It's probably a little bit more diversified in terms of communications now than it was back in the days when everybody was making switches," he said.

 

Richardson Mayor Bob Townsend said the city's relationship with Cassidian strengthened last year when the company won the contract to install a new public safety communication system for Richardson. The company's technology allows the city to integrate equipment made by other companies, such as Motorola mobile radios.

 

"I think they liked that other companies are here that would be supporting industries," he said. "So many other companies have basically come here for the same reason." 

 

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