Aero-engine giant Rolls-Royce is to buy UK defence and marine power specialist Vickers for £576 million ($935 million) plus £125 million of debt in a move which decreases its reliance on aerospace. R-R is also acquiring National Airmotive of the USA for $73 million, expanding its powerplant aftermarket presence. SAirGroup subsidiary Gate Gourmet International has acquired Ansett Australia's catering business for an undisclosed sum, boosting its international expansion plans. Novatronics of Stratford, Ontario, has become the third-largest supplier of linear differential transformers and rotary differential transformers to the aerospace industry after acquiring New York-state based Pickering Controls. US media giant Times Mirror is to sell non-core operations and focus on assets including Jeppesen Sanderson, the market-leading flight information specialist. New York investment group Veritas Capital has agreed to buy US aerospace composites specialist Advanced Technical Products for $135 million. Airborne imaging and reconnaissance systems specialist Senys Technologies of Virginia is to buy the SciComm defence business from Andrew Corp of Texas. The Ogden conglomerate is to sell its aviation interests and focus on its energy division, abandoning plans to split into two companies.
Source: Flight International
