Carbon fibre composites manufacturer Quickstep is to buy Boeing Defence Australia’s MRO operation in a $2.64 million deal.
The Australian company has said it will also retain “certain” Boeing Australia Component Repairs (BACR) employees as part of agreement, which it hopes to complete by the end of the year.
Quickstep said a “top tier” bank has committed to funding the purchase as part of a refinancing package for the business’ long-term loan.
Boeing Defence Australia’s managing director, Scott Carpendale, said, “We’re pleased that this agreement will offer Quickstep – a well-established and highly capable Australian company – the ability to grow its unique sovereign capability to the benefit of regional commercial and defence customers.”
BACR currently manages composite, bonded and conventional metal aircraft structures for both commercial and military operators.
The team has experience working with Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier aircraft, F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets, F/A-18F Super Hornets, C-130J Hercules and CH-47 Chinooks.
Quickstep said it intends to take advantage of its existing relationships to broaden its MRO offering to include F-35 and other military and commercial work.
Mark Burgess, CEO of Quickstep said, “We are delighted to soon be welcoming highly capable aerospace employees from the BACR business to Quickstep.
“The acquisition of this important national capability aligns well to our business strategy, positions us to grow our defence sustainment business and opens up new opportunities in the high value commercial aftermarket as we move toward post-pandemic recovery.”
Earlier this week, World of Aviation reported how the larger Boeing Group lost another 12 orders on its embattled 737 MAX aircraft in October, despite the fact its impending recertification.
This year, Boeing has had to deal with returning the MAX to service alongside the COVID-19 pandemic, and a number of recently discovered 787 Dreamliner manufacturing flaws.
Gber
says:Maybe Boeing should rebrand the 737 Max the Nightmareliner. They need to take the “opportunity” while the new airliner market is stagnant to develop the NMA and bury the 737 once and for all.
Jeff Rout
says:2.64m seems like small change – i would have thought higher price than that!!!