Private investment fund The Monksmead Partnership is paying £3 million ($5.6 million) to acquire component manufacturer and repairs specialist Beagle Aircraft from Smiths Aerospace Aerostructures.
The deal includes Beagle's 7,900m2 (85,000ft2) Christchurch production facility near Southampton, UK, which employs 85 people. The business will continue to run as before, keeping the Beagle aircraft name and with current managing director Rob Ludford heading up the business.
“This is an exciting development for both Monksmead and Beagle aircraft,” says Nick Theakston of The Monksmead Partnership, “with increased business levels anticipated as a result of Beagle’s success in securing key contracts and the general upturn in the aerospace and defence markets.” He adds: “we are set to make a major investment in new plant and equipment which will significantly increase manufacturing capacity and allow us to achieve even faster repair turnaround times.”
Beagle’s manufacturing division’s customers include BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. The company manufactures components for aircraft including the GR7A Harrier, Panavia Tornado GR4, Sea Harrier FA2 and Sepecat Jaguar GR3.
Beagle also exports manufactured aircraft spare parts under licence from BAE Systems for the Indian Navy and is a supplier to India's Hindustan Aeronautics.
Customers for the company’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business include British Airways and BAE Systems.
Source: Flight International
