B/E Aerospace is making further inroads into the general aviation aircraft interiors market, having agreed "in principle" to acquire Aerospace Lighting (ALC). The deal is expected to be finalised by the end of the month.
This would be the third acquisition in as many months by the Florida-based commercial aircraft interiors manufacturer. In April, B/E snapped up US-based Aircraft Modular Products, which holds about 60% of the general aviation aircraft seating market, and Puritan Bennett's WEMAC air and oxygen unit business, which holds more than 80% of its market. ALC makes interior cabin lighting for business aircraft and offers an upgrade and retrofit service.
"The business jet market has growth rates even higher than our commercial transport products market," says B/E chairman and founder Amin Khoury.
B/E says the cabin interiors market totals nearly $1 billion a year. "As our revenues in this part of the market approach $100 million [for the year ending February 1999], we are one of the largest manufacturers," adds Khoury.
Source: Flight International
