Italian manufacturers join forces
Agreement Italian manufacturers ATR Group and Oma Sud Sky Technologies are joining forces with the aim of boosting their competitiveness and increasing their international presence. The two companies plan to combine Oma Sud's experience in metals with ATR's composites-technology skills. ATR's aerospace division was formed in 2002, but the company has over 20 years of experience in the automotive field. It intends to boost its aerospace presence using Oma Sud's expertise as a springboard, while Oma Sud should benefit from access to the composites technologies in which ATR specialises.
GKN plans aftermarket surge
Growth GKN Aerospace is planning to treble its aftermarket revenues by 2012, as part of the overall group's drive to increase its maintenance, repair and overhaul operation, which currently represents around 15% of its $1.5 billion sales. The company's aftermarket business strategy focuses on "extending partnerships with the major primes to create effective, long-term support agreements", it says. Around 33% of the company's aerospace revenues as a whole come from Boeing (see graph).
AAR boosts defence capability
Acquisition Aerospace manufacturer AAR is expanding its defence presence with the acquisition of systems integration specialist Brown International. The deal provides "excellent synergies" and will allow US-based AAR to provide a wider range of defence products and services, the company says. The newly acquired company will become part of AAR's structures and systems business unit.
Finmeccanica and Thales team up on space
Alliance Thales is strengthening its space capability with the formation of a new space alliance with Finmeccanica. The move is part of a wider agreement between Alcatel-Lucent and Thales. Under the deal Alcatel-Lucent, which will remain linked to the venture, has transferred its stakes in Alcatel Alenia Space and Telespazio to Thales.
Dollar weakness hits Safran sales growth
Results Growth in sales at Safran's aerospace propulsion division offset losses in the group's communications division in the first quarter. Aerospace propulsion sales rose by 11.3% to €1.32 billion ($1.77 billion). At constant US dollar exchange rates, the sales figure would have increased by 18.6%. Safran's aircraft equipment division turned in a 4.8% rise in sales to €679 million, while defence security sales were up 4.3% at €360 million. But a poor performance at the company's troubled communications division meant the company posted a rise of just 3.3% in overall sales, at €2.7 billion for the first quarter.
ManTech grows with SRS purchase
Strategy ManTech is growing its business with the agreement to acquire SRS Technologies, a specialist in space communication and radar as well as aerospace systems. The deal, due to close in the second quarter, is expected to give a boost to Mantech's earnings towards the end of the year. George Pedersen, chief executive of the technology specialist, says the deal is "consistent with ManTech's growth strategy to broaden our footprint in the high-end intelligence, homeland security and defence markets".
Source: Flight International
