Aurora-based aircraft-components manufacturer Stanley Aviation Corp. has been sold to industrial manufacturer Eaton Corp., which is based in Cleveland.
Stanley Aviation is part of Wimborne, England-based Cobham Plc and makes fluid-distribution systems for fuel, hydraulics and air.
Cobham’s fluid and air division has 1,600 employees in five manufacturing locations in the United Kingdom and the U.S. It includes Stanley Aviation and FR-HiTemp, a company that makes airframe fuel systems and other components and has three sites in the U.K. and a support center in Denver.
Eaton paid $270 million for the division. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter.
Eaton spokesman Tony Kozlowski said it is premature to discuss any changes the acquisition may mean for Stanley Aviation or FR-HiTemp.
Stanley Aviation was founded in 1948 and began operations in Buffalo, N.Y. Founder Robert M. Stanley moved the company to Aurora in 1954. He died in 1977 in a plane crash. His company was acquired by Flight Refueling Limited, now known as Cobham.
Eaton said the deal will allow it to capitalize on strengths, expand its European presence and strengthen its position on commercial and defense platforms.
Cobham manufactures equipment, systems and components for the aerospace, defense, homeland security, search and rescue and communications markets. It also maintains and operates aircraft.
Eaton has 57,000 employees and makes electrical systems, fluid power systems, truck drivetrain systems, automotive engine air management systems and other systems.
It had $9.8 billion in sales in 2004.
Staff writer Kelly Yamanouchi can be reached at 303-820-1488 or kyamanouchi@denverpost.com.
