Guy Norris/EL CAJON
The US-based engine components business of the UK's Senior group has rebranded as Senior Aerospace as it gears up for expansion through organic growth and possible acquisitions. Previously Senior Flexonics Aerospace, the division projects sales of $333 million this year and is looking for acquisitions offering "expanded range, technical excellence, key customer access, critical mass and geographical expansion".
Senior plans to retain its focus on the regional and corporate aircraft and space markets, which account for 94% of projected aerospace sales from a product line covering specialist engine components, hoses, valves and other exotic alloy and metal parts.
The Ketema unit, Senior's largest aerospace operation, based in El Cajon, California, aims to secure organic growth by offering "turnkey" engine component packages, says aerospace business unit manager, Bob Simmons. Work bids include the General Electric CF34-10 and proposed Rolls-Royce BR720 regional engines.
Larger commercial work has focused on the CFM International CFM56, for which Senior makes manifolds, but could be expanded to include the R-R Trent family. Other targets include older engines such as Honeywell's TFE731 and TPE331 small turbine families, for which Senior hopes to secure support contracts.
Senior Aerospace's military business, specialising in forming, joining and machining complex shapes from titanium, stainless steel, Inconels and Waspalloys, accounts for around a fifth of sales, but this should "pick up", it says, when the Joint Strike Fighter programme goes ahead. Products include exhaust frames for GE's F414 engine in the Boeing F/A-18E/F, the plug and nozzle for the Pratt & Whitney F117, powering Boeing's C-17, and the low-observable exhaust for the Northrop Grumman B-2.
Senior's space business is also poised for growth, with valve and duct work on Boeing's Delta IV family and on-going contracts on the Shuttle and Lockheed Martin X-33. The company is also aboard the Kistler K1 reusable launch vehicle, although this is on hold.
Aerospace accounts for around a third of sales in the Senior group (which also has automotive and industrial divisions) and was boosted last year by the acquisition of the aerospace unit of Cork Industries. The division took a charge, however, and losses of around $30 million in relation to accounting irregularities at Katema.
Source: Flight International
