Central Research acquires technology company Global Emergency Response

Lowell-based Central Research Inc., a provider of management and financial services for government and commercial sectors, announced Thursday (March 19) the purchase of Global Emergency Response Inc., a software and technology services company that specializes in emergency technology systems.

The acquisition closed March 10. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Global Emergency Response was founded in 2004 and is based in Augusta, Ga. The company provides web and mobile-based, near real-time status tracking and situational awareness information systems for use by healthcare, emergency response and governmental organizations, according to a news release. The company’s systems are used at the federal, state and local levels to help improve information flow in emergencies and daily operations to improve situational awareness.

“GER offers an exciting opportunity for us to expand into the emergency technology industry,” said Bobby McKinnon, president of Central Research Inc. “The addition of GER’s emergency technology solutions complements our business portfolio and supports our strategy to expand into the state, local and commercial sectors.”

The company will continue to operate as Global Emergency Response and maintain its existing headquarters in Augusta. It had offices in Alexandria, Va., and Round Rock, Texas. The Round Rock office closed before the acquisition, and the company will move operations from its Alexandria office to Central Research’s Washington, D.C.-area office in Annandale, Va. The company also will use Central Research’s headquarters in Lowell for operations.

Founded in 2002, Central Research Inc. employs more than 450 people throughout several locations in the United States, including a Washington, D.C., program office in Annandale.

Global Emergency Response plans to retain its existing staff and maintain its relationships with support contactors.