Invensys' aerospace arm sold for pounds 109m

INVENSYS, THE automation and controls group, yesterday passed the half way point in its pounds 1.8bn disposal programme after announcing the sale of its aerospace division to Smiths Industries.

Smiths is paying pounds 109m for the US-based business, which specialises in electrical and environmental control systems for aircraft. The sale of the division brings disposal proceeds to pounds 960m and an Invensys spokeswoman said it remained confident of completing the programme by the end of March next year - the target date set by the group's chief executive Allen Yurko. The acquisition will broaden Smiths' product range and strengthen its position in the market for electrical power management technology.

The Invensys aereospace division employs 850 people at four US locations and made operating profits last year of $19m on sales of $120m. Its best known trading name is Barber-Colman Aerospace which makes complete environmental control systems.

This is the third biggest disposal by Invensys since its formation in February following the merger of Siebe and BTR.