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- US Aerospace Supplier
Airdrome
- Acquires UK-Based AF
Aerospace, Ltd.
- by
Geoff Littlehale
- Long Beach, CA
– April 9, 2004 James Eaton,
President and CEO of Airdrome Holdings, LLC, announced today that the firm
has acquired AF Aerospace, Ltd. (AFA), an aerospace components manufacturer
based in Rugby, England. Airdrome Holdings, LLC also owns Airdrome
Precision Components, a manufacturer of precision pneumatic and hydraulic
components for mission-critical aerospace applications with facilities in
Long Beach, CA. Airdrome and AFA will formally launch their new venture May
4, 2004, and have already begun integrating their operations.
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- “The single
most important objective of Airdrome has always been to be our customers’
premiere solution provider, while building a company of lasting value,” said
Eaton. “Our new partnership with AF Aerospace moves us closer toward that
goal.”
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- “These two
companies are a perfect fit,” Eaton added. “Both are profitable
manufacturers, mature in their markets, that provide best in class
products to aerospace companies worldwide. Integrating our operations will
allow us to achieve new levels of excellence and customer satisfaction – in
manufacturing quality, customer service, global competitiveness and financial
strength.”
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- Airdrome
Holdings, LLC purchased AF Aerospace on March 24, 2004 from Lentern
Manufacturing Holdings, Ltd. through its European subsidiary, Airdrome Parts
Co., Ltd. Lentern is a British holding company that historically has owned
several aerospace manufacturing and distribution concerns in the U.K.
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- “Joining
forces with AFA ensures that we will meet all the financial strength
requirements of our key customers through all types of market conditions,”
said Eaton. “Our combined annual sales of precision components make us one of
the industry’s top performers.”
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- Enhanced
international competitiveness was one of the primary goals of the acquisition
according to spokespeople for both companies. “With the synergies offered by
both Airdrome and AF Aerospace, we can now truly demonstrate our capabilities
to a global marketplace,” said James Beaumont, General Manager of AFA in
Rugby.
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- “Our product
lines are complimentary, but there is very little redundancy,” said Eaton.
“So we can now offer an excellent AFA line to our North American customers
while AFA can reciprocate in the U.K. and the rest of Europe.”
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- The new
company will have strong supplier relationships with virtually every major
aerospace manufacturer in the world. AFA has long-term contracts in place
with various new and legacy aircraft programs such as the BAE SYSTEMS Hawk,
the Eurofighter (EFA) Typhoon and the Airbus family of commercial aircraft.
Airdrome, founded in 1950, has a long history of working with North American
airframe manufacturers such as Boeing, Lockheed and Bombardier, as well as the
various engine manufacturers, such as Pratt and Whitney, General Electric,
Rolls Royce and Honeywell, which support such airframe platforms.
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- Both
Airdrome and AF Aerospace have implemented continuous quality improvement
programs and established best practices engineering and manufacturing
as their operating standards. AFA was the first UK company to earn the Silver
Supply Excellence Award from BAE SYSTEMS. It has received a similar rating
from Airbus. The company has also received awards for high quality from
SAAB. Airdrome and AFA are each approved to ISO 9001 and AS 9100 quality
management systems by the British Standards Institute.
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-
“Near-perfect quality ratings are imperative in today’s aerospace
environment,” said Eaton. “Every global manufacturer is consolidating its
supplier base to only the highest performing suppliers. Airdrome and AF
Aerospace welcome that consolidation because we know we will thrive from it.”
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- The advanced
machining technology employed by AF Aerospace was another attraction for
Airdrome according to Eaton. “AFA brings very sophisticated machining
capability to Airdrome,” said Eaton. “That will allow us to produce and
distribute a much greater array of complex parts and assemblies, both in the
U.S. market and in other parts of the world where Airdrome is already well
established.”
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- “Combining
the best practices of these two companies will create a strong
competitor in the global aerospace market,” said Eaton. “Separately, the
companies have been consistent innovators that reacted smartly to a rapidly
evolving market. Together, the prospects for even greater success – for our
customers, our employees and our business partners – are truly exciting.”
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- Mac
Fletcher, Commercial Operations Manager of AFA in Rugby, added, “We are
looking forward to a very exciting future for both companies and their
workforces.”
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- Airdrome
Precision Components and AF Aerospace Ltd. will retain their brand identities
in their respective markets and will operate as subsidiaries of Airdrome
Holdings LLC.
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- About AF Aerospace Ltd.
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- AF Aerospace
is situated in Rugby Warwickshire England, the home of the world’s first jet
engine and the birthplace of the game Rugby. The company was founded in 1939
and is widely recognized for its expertise in the manufacture of
precision-machined aerospace components.
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- The business
was originally established to supply hydraulic fittings to the UK military
sector, primarily BAE SYSTEMS. More recently, AFA has entered the civil
aerospace market where it has enjoyed considerable success. Part of that
success can be attributed to the strategic focus placed on “World Class
Performance” through continual improvement in all aspects of the business and
through the application of Lean Methodologies. This work and
performance have earned AFA the Silver Supply Excellence Award from both
Airbus UK and BAE SYSTEMS.
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- About Airdrome Precision
Components LLC
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- Founded in
1950, Airdrome Precision Components LLC is a leading manufacturer of aerospace
precision tube fittings and components, headquartered in Long Beach, CA, USA.
Airdrome supplies vital precision tube fittings for spacecraft, commercial
jets, and military aircraft as well as engines and industrial machinery of all
kinds.
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- Airdrome’s dedication to total quality
management and continuous improvement activities has made it a leading
supplier to the global aerospace industry. Commercial and military aircraft
and space programs the world over utilize the design, engineering and
manufacturing expertise of Airdrome.
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For More Information Contact:
Airdrome Precision Components
3251 Airport Way, Long Beach, CA 90806-1867
Tel: (562) 426-9411
FAX: (562) 492-6909
Internet:
info@airdrome.com
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