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Dealmaking in the aerospace sector accelerates as jet production increases

According to data from the industry and interviews with decision makers and suppliers, mergers and acquisitions in the aerospace industry are increasing as buyers gain more confidence in long-term demands due to clearer Boeing and Airbus schedules.

Through August, the aerospace and defense investment bank Janes Capital Partners, which focuses on commercial aerospace, tracked 154 publicly-disclosed commercial aerospace transactions in this year. This is just a few short of the record of 159 that was set in 2019.

Buyers target suppliers who have specialized manufacturing abilities, scarce workers and the capacity to meet an increasing jet production. The major manufacturers also seek to secure critical component supplies.

GE Aerospace announced this week that it has purchased Consolidated Precision Products for $12 billion as part of its efforts to increase engine production. Parker Hannifin, a private equity firm, agreed to purchase Circor's Aerospace division in May for $2.6 billion. This division makes actuation- and landing-gear system.

The majority of transactions have involved strategic buyers and private-equity firms that acquired midsized or smaller suppliers.

Janes Capital data shows that the 154 deals announced between August and September (excluding the GE deal) had a combined value of $14 Billion, compared to 157 deals worth $37.5 Billion in total last year.

The number of deals peaked in 2019 at 159, with a value of $21.3billion. In 2020, the pandemic caused a drop to 82 transactions worth $3.3billion. In 2015, 106 transactions totaled a value of $59.4 billion.

BOEING STABILIZES PRODUCTION

Boeing's jetliner delivery numbers have fluctuated dramatically over the past few years due to several crises. They fell from 806 in 2018, to 157 by 2020. The company recovered to 528 by 2023, but production quality problems caused them to drop to 348 in the following year.

Boeing's 737 -MAX, its best seller, has been stabilized under a new CEO. The company also increased output to give suppliers a better view of the future demand. Boeing delivered 600 jets in 2018, the most since 2018. It is on course to exceed that number this year.

Airbus' production also dropped during the pandemic, but has steadily increased since. It plans to deliver 870 aircraft this year, surpassing its previous record of 863 jets in 2019.

Anita Antenucci is the founder of 3Wire Partners, an investment bank.

Bankers also said that a backlog of sellers are coming to the market. Private equity firms held on to their portfolio companies for much longer than usual due to the pandemic's production swings.

Stephen Perry, managing Director at Janes Capital said: "Either you or a buyer had no idea how much revenue your company would generate."

Buyers are more confident in pricing future performance of a target as?build rates and their trajectory become more predictable -- even with the backdrop of Boeing's well documented struggles.

This calculus was played out last year, when France's DEMGY entered Boeing's supply chains by acquiring Tool Gauge. Tool Gauge is a mid-sized family-owned supplier of interior parts for jetliners.

Boeing was still trying to stabilize production, when DEMGY started looking at Tool Gauge. This company is located in Tacoma, Washington near Boeing's plant for the 737.

Mike Walter, the president of DEMGY North American operations, explained that DEMGY had bet on Boeing's future and, by acting early, largely avoided any bidding wars for?Tool Gauge.

Sometimes, when you see a chance, you must take it. He said, "We saw an opportunity."

He refused to reveal the purchase price. DEMGY's global revenue in 2025 was EUR125 million.

Dealmakers say that the competition for small suppliers has increased, in part due to an increase in interest from private equity firms.

Susan Kasa, a small machine shop with a few dozen workers outside Springfield, Massachusetts, said she now receives "two to three calls a day" from prospective buyers. The owner of Boulevard Machine in Springfield, Massachusetts has a few dozen employees and receives "two to three phone calls per day" from potential buyers.

Kasa explained that her highly-trained workforce, a rare commodity in an industry struggling with labor shortages, is one of the reasons her company is so attractive to potential buyers.

(source: Reuters)