Tech leaders branch out into new fields

Article Excerpt

Both CAE and Nordion are developing new products that help them tap into profitable new markets. That makes both companies less reliant on their core businesses—and enhances their long-term prospects. CAE INC. $10 (Toronto symbol CAE; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 258.3 million; Market cap: $2.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.4; Dividend yield: 1.6%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.cae.com) spends around 10% of its annual revenue of $1.8 billion on research. That helps it develop simulators for new planes, like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380. The company is also using these funds to apply its expertise to new fields. For example, CAE is now making simulators and other products, including lifelike mannequins, to train paramedics and medical students. It is also focusing on the mining industry: Right now, mining firms are using software that CAE developed to plan new mines and measure reserves. These new businesses, which both have strong growth potential, now supply 5% of CAE’s revenue. The…