Avingtrans
Avingtrans plc is engaged in the provision of precision engineering components and services to the energy, medical, scientific and research communities, traffic management, automation, machinery and aerospace industries.
2000 Frank Usher was a quoted clothing company; the operating business was subject to a management buyout but collapsed a few months later. The quoted shell company was renamed Avingtrans[1]
2000 Avingtrans plc disposed of its former operating businesses to Goldstart Limited on 1st December 2000 thereby reverting to a non-trading business. This business retained a sum in excess of £4 million on deposit and set about seeking a suitable acquisition opportunity that afforded shareholders a combination of good long-term growth and an acceptable level of risk.
2002 Subsequently, acquired the Jenaer Group of Jenaer Gewindetechnik GmbH, Jena-Tec Inc., Jena Rotary Technology Ltd. and C&H Precision Finishers Ltd. from Ferraris Group plc on 28th June 2002.
2004 Avingtrans acquired Crown UK for a consideration of £1.56 million. Based in Portishead, Bristol, Crown UK design and manufacture housings and stands for roadside speed cameras, including the brand CROWN POLE together with gantry and trackside poles for railway signalling. This acquisition further strengthens the Avingtrans plc group of companies through presence within a rapidly developing and opportunistic market sector.
2004 Avingtrans plc confirms the acquisition of Stainless Metalcraft (Chatteris) from Ferraris Group plc, in October 2004, for a total consideration of £8.1 million. The acquisition of Metalcraft represents the continuation of the strategy of the Board of Avingtrans of growth through the acquisition of companies that are involved in areas related to precision engineering. Metalcraft is a producer of fabricated and machined products to major suppliers of diagnostic imagery and the European Scientific Community. Its products are made to a high technical specification and its customers include all of the major suppliers to the Magnetic Resonance Imaging ("MRI") market, thereby raising barriers to entry from potential competitors.
2006 Avingtrans acquired a 75% interest in Sigma Precision Components through the purchase of 300,000 new Sigma shares at a price of £1 per share. Sigma provides a range of services to aerospace and high technology markets and, with the injection of new funds into the business, is poised to accelerate the scale of its operations in China, with intention of supplying aerospace parts to Umeco[2]. Sigma was founded in 2004 by two widely experienced aerospace professionals who saw an opportunity to create a business from the globalization into emerging markets of the $7 billion aerospace precision components market. Throughout their first year of operation Sigma provided consultancy services from its offices in the UK and China and now, with the benefit of customer commitment and investment support from Avingtrans, will establish a 30,000 sq. ft. precision component manufacturing facility in Chengdu, China.
22 September 2006, Avingtrans announced the un-conditional acquisition of B. and D. Patterns for up to £10.5m, the Board of Avingtrans plc is pleased to confirm the completion of this acquisition and set out its plans for the grouping together of its aerospace businesses to form a formidable aerospace components manufacturing and servicing division within the Avingtrans group. B&D, based in the midlands, was founded over 45 years ago and has grown to become a market leader in rigid and flexible pipe assemblies and components for prestigious customers such as Rolls Royce, Messier Dowty and Dunlop Aerospace for use in their jet engines.
The Company operates in three business segments:
- Aerospace. The Aerospace segment manufactures pipe assemblies and prismatic components for aero engines, and precision polishing of aircraft components.
- Energy and Medical. The Energy and Medical segment manufactures machined and fabricated vacuum components for the energy, medical, science and research communities. It also designs and manufactures poles and cabinets for roadside safety cameras and rail track signaling.
- Industrial Products. The Industrial Products segment designs, manufactures, distributes and services precision ball screws, spindles and related linear and rotary products servicing the original equipment and after markets in global industry.
2007 Agreed to supply equipment to VOL, maker of cameras for monitoring vehicle occupancy; took 7.5 percent in the company[3]
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Avingtrans web site