Spirit AeroSystems completes Bombardier acquisition

Bombardier fabricates infused carbon fiber composite wings for the Airbus A220 at its Belfast, Northern Ireland, plant. Spirit AeroSystems has acquired that and other facilities from Bombardier. Photo Credit: Airbus

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. (Wichita, Kan., U.S.) reported on Oct. 30 that it has completed — through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. (Spirit) and Spirit AeroSystems Global Holdings Ltd. (Spirit UK) — its acquisition of select assets of Bombardier (Montreal, Canada) aerostructures and aftermarket services businesses in Belfast, Northern Ireland (known as Short Brothers); Casablanca, Morocco; and Dallas, Tex, U.S. According to a report on Oct. 26, the agreement’s terms were reevaluated in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are excited to finalize this strategic and transformational acquisition," says Spirit AeroSystems President and CEO Tom Gentile. "The acquired sites bring expertise in engineering, innovation and advanced composites, and also aligns with our strategic priorities. With the addition of these sites, Spirit acquires the entire work package for the A220 wing manufacturing processes and technology, which are critical for the future of next-generation aircraft, and doubles our global world-class aftermarket services business."

The acquired Bombardier operations employ approximately 3,300 people at three sites comprising approximately 3.4 million square feet. The backlog of work includes long-term contracts on the Airbus A220 and Bombardier business jets, along with world-class aftermarket services at two of the acquired sites. The Belfast facility fabricates the infused carbon fiber wings for the Airbus A220 single-aisle aircraft.

At closing, Spirit/Spirit UK paid $275 million to Bombardier, and acquired certain liabilities as previously disclosed including the Short Brothers plc pension scheme and financial payment obligations under a repayable investment agreement between Short Brothers and the United Kingdom's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. On the first anniversary of closing, Spirit will make a special contribution of £100 million (approximately $130 million) to the Shorts pension scheme. The total enterprise valuation of the acquisition is $865 million.