Rockwell Collins acquires B/E Aerospace, including Tucson operation

Iowa-based aviation systems maker Rockwell Collins Inc. has completed its acquisition of Florida-based B/E Aerospace, which employs nearly 900 workers making luxury aircraft interiors in Tucson.

Rockwell Collins does not anticipate any impact on the former B/E’s operations in Tucson, spokeswoman Pam Tvrdy-Cleary said.

The company has about 870 employees in Tucson, where workers produce high-end “super first-class” aircraft cabin furnishings at 1851 S. Pantano Road.

Rockwell acquired B/E Aerospace for $8.6 billion, including the assumption of debt.

B/E Aerospace has been rebranded Rockwell Collins, and its stock has stopped trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Under the deal, B/E shareholders received about one-third of a share in Rockwell Collins plus about $34 a share cash for each of their shares.

Rockwell Collins shares closed Monday at $97.58, up about 1 percent, in trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Werner Lieberherr, former B/E Aerospace president and chief executive officer, is now executive vice president and chief operating officer of Rockwell Collins’ newly created Interior Systems business.

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Kelly Ortberg, chairman and CEO of Rockwell Collins, said the addition of B/E’s offerings will help drive growth.

“The industry-leading products and solutions being brought together by this acquisition give us a much broader offering, increasing value for our customers and ultimately driving long-term, profitable growth and shareowner value,” Ortberg said in prepared remarks.

Founded in 1933 as Collins Radio Co., Cedar Rapids-based Rockwell Collins is a leading provider of avionics, communications and other aviation electronics.

With the recent acquisition, the company has nearly 30,000 employees and annual revenue topping $8 billion.

B/E Aerospace counted more than 10,000 employees in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Besides aircraft seating and interiors, B/E also makes aircraft galley equipment, oxygen systems, lavatories and interior lighting for commercial aircraft and business jets.

B/E Aerospace arrived in Tucson when the Florida-based company acquired Bomhoff Inc., a maker of cabinetry for business jets, in 2002.