Fokker Technologies will be acquired by GKN for €706 million ($780 million) in the fourth quarter, pending approval by “Fokker Works Council and trade unions, ITAR and CFIUS regulatory clearances and anti-trust clearance in the EU and the U.S.,” according to a Fokker Technologies statement released July 28. The move will add Fokker’s expertise in commercial, military and business jet aero structures and component manufacturing and support to GKN’s global airframe and engine subassembly, transparency and fuel/flotation systems manufacturing capabilities.
With nearly 5,000 employees, Fokker, headquartered in the Netherlands, had 2014 revenues of €758 million ($837 million). The company’s expertise includes “design, development and production of lightweight aerostructures, electrical wiring interconnection systems and landing gear,” as well as MRO services.
Business aviation customers, which purchase complex lightweight aerostructures from Fokker, include Dassault Aviation (Falcon 7X, 8X, 5X); Gulfstream (G450, GV/G550, G650); Honda Aircraft (HondaJet); and Textron Aviation (Sovereign, CJ3, CJ4). Fokker Aerostructure’s manufacturing plants are located in Mexico, the Netherlands, Romania and the U.S., and the company also makes structural components for Airbus and Boeing commercial airplanes.
GKN’s 2014 sales were €3.1 billion ($3.42 billion), and the company employs more than 12,000 people.