UK-based Kidde Group, the primary supplier to the aerospace industry of fire detection and suppression systems, is to be de-merged from Chubb which specialises in security products. The new Kidde plc, which had pro forma aerospace sales of £193 million ($282 million) last year, will trade as a distinct entity on the London Stock Exchange from 14 November. Chief executive Michael Harper says the move will give Kidde a stronger identity and greater decision making flexibility and should benefit its market valuation. US spares distributor Aviall is to acquire Superior Air Parts, a producer and distributor of parts for piston-powered general aviation aircraft, for $43 million in cash. Dallas, Texas-based Superior is expected to have sales of $50 million this year. Northrop Grumman has completed the acquisition of Federal Data, a systems integrator and information technology supplier to the US Government. The transaction is valued at $302 million, made up of $130 million in cash, $154 million in debt and $18 million in other costs. Federal Data will be integrated with Northrop's IT business, Logicon. TRW has bought industrial laser systems and components supplier Cutting Edge Optronics for $19 million cash plus $5 million in debt. Sabre Holdings has completed its acquisition of GetThere, a global internet marketplace focused on b2b business travel services. Sabre aims to combine its own e-commerce corporate travel management and purchasing system, Sabre Business Travel Solutions, with GetThere's operations. Belgian general aviation operator Sky-Service, based in Kortrijk, and Brussels-based Abelag Aviation are to merge. The operation, which will have annual sales of around €25 million ($21 million), will specialise in air taxi, air freight, ground handling and aircraft maintenance activities, and aims to become "the major Benelux business aircraft operator". It will have a 14-strong aircraft fleet and is exploring expansion into fractional ownership and fixed-base operations.
Source: Flight International
