history

GKN Aerospace was established under GKN ownership in 1993. We have a strong pedigree in the aerospace sector extending over 100 years: a heritage complemented by the engineering and industrial expertise of GKN that spans 250 years.

Since 1993, GKN Aerospace has strategically acquired elements of leading aerospace manufacturers to create our world-class aerospace business. The chart below highlights the key points on this journey.

1997 Acquired BP Chemicals, Avonmouth - Access to Airbus and RTM technology
1997 Acquired Aerospace Composite Technologies (ACT), Luton - De-icing technology, transparencies and specialist coatings, aftermarket
1997 Acquired Adis, Munich - Access to Airbus, composite capabilities
1998 Acquired Dow UT, Alabama - Access to North American market, RTM technology
1999 Acquired Chem-tronics, San Diego - engine product market, metallic technologies, aftermarket
2001 Acquired St Louis, Missouri - created strong partnership with Boeing, metallic and composite technologies
2002 Acquired Kent EBC, Washington - electron beam welding technology
2002 Acquired Astech, Santa Ana - engine product capability, welded honeycomb structures, aftermarket
2003 Acquired Pilkington Aerospace - enhanced existing transparency capabilities and added bullet resistant glass
2006 Acquired Stellex - extended capabilities in high precision machining
2007 Acquired Teleflex - further access to engine product market, metallic technologies
2008 Acquisition of Filton appreciably enhances our major metallic aerostructures assembly expertise