NTS to Reorganize, Trim 10 Divisons to 3

National Technical Systems announced it will reorganize its operations into three units for its fiscal year beginning Feb. 1.

The Calabasas-based scientific research, testing and analysis company, which now has 10 divisions with 350 employees, will be consolidated into three parts: NTS Technical Services, NTS Applied Research Services and NTS Engineering. The company said there will be no change in employment as a result of the reorganization.

The move, which will result in the closing of two offices, is intended to help the company manage its growth more efficiently, according to Ann R. Thryft, a company spokeswoman.

NTS reported sales of nearly $22 million for its fiscal year ended Jan. 31, up 45% from the previous year. For the nine months ended Oct. 31, the company reported sales of $18,175,000, up nearly 14% from the same period in 1984.

NTS Engineering will include a weapons division in Redondo Beach and a Newport Beach facility that performs seismic tests for nuclear power plants. All employees will be relocated in March to Long Beach and the other facilities will be closed, Thryft said.

As part of a strategy to shift from research to the potentially more lucrative work of commercial product development, the company will consolidate its research and products divisions into the new NTS Applied Research group.

NTS Technical Services, now known as the Technical Services group, includes five testing facilities in California, Massachusetts and Virginia. The operations of the unit, which performs tests mainly for the military, will not be affected by the reorganization.

Until recently, most of NTS’ attention has been devoted to testing how well military devices withstand such forces as shock and radiation. But the company has expanded into making products derived from its research.

NTS’ main consumer product is a sound-activated switch that turns lights and appliances on and off, responding to voices and vibrations.