Kaman Corporation announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Parker-Hannifin Corporation under which Kaman will acquire Parker’s aircraft wheel & brake division for $440 million, subject to a customary working capital adjustment and the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals (the “Transaction”). Parker is divesting Aircraft Wheel & Brake in order to secure approval from certain governmental authorities in connection with Parker’s previously announced offer to acquire Meggitt PLC.
Aircraft Wheel & Brake has been a trusted provider of mission-critical wheel and brake technology products and solutions for more than eighty years. With a strong product portfolio supporting more than 100 platforms, Aircraft Wheel & Brake specializes in wheels, brakes and related hydraulic components for fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft. They have long-standing global relationships with leading military and general aviation customers providing customized proprietary designs, protected by intellectual property. Aircraft Wheel & Brake operates out of one centralized facility in Avon, Ohio, providing a full suite of capabilities including design, development and qualification, as well as manufacturing and assembly, product support and repairs.
“We are executing on our strategic priority of growing through accretive M&A, by expanding our Engineered Products segment by adding capabilities in markets that we know well. The complementary acquisition of Aircraft Wheel & Brake will advance this strategy by expanding the breadth of our product offerings, increasing our exposure to attractive markets, and driving meaningful near-term margin and cash flow accretion. We are excited to add the experienced Aircraft Wheel & Brake management team to our organization while utilizing their leading proprietary technology and strong customer relationships.”
Ian Walsh, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Russ Bartlett, Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Engineered Products Segment Lead added, “Like Kaman, Aircraft Wheel & Brake prides itself on its best-in-class engineering and innovation and an engaged and loyal workforce that is dedicated to commercial excellence. We believe our similar cultures and customer-centric approaches make our organizations an outstanding match. We are excited for the Aircraft Wheel & Brake employees to join the Kaman team and work together to solve our customers’ toughest challenges.”
About Kaman
Kaman Corporation, founded in 1945 by aviation pioneer Charles H. Kaman, and headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, conducts business in the aerospace & defense, industrial and medical markets. Kaman produces and markets proprietary aircraft bearings and components; super precision, miniature ball bearings; proprietary spring energized seals, springs and contacts; complex metallic and composite aerostructures for commercial, military and general aviation fixed and rotary wing aircraft; safe and arming solutions for missile and bomb systems for the U.S. and allied militaries; subcontract helicopter work; restoration, modification and support of our SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters; and manufacture and support of our heavy lift K-MAX® manned helicopter, the K-MAX TITAN unmanned helicopter and the KARGO UAV unmanned aerial system, a purpose built autonomous medium lift logistics vehicle.